Multi-function apparatus

• US 8,379,278 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kawai, Takamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Worku, Negussie
• Application Number:
  US12/730,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20110075230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 358/474, 358/1.15, 358/403, 358/442, 358/486, 358/497, 358/498, 358/404, 399/110, 399/393, 271/278
• US Class Current: 358/498
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00554 Latches or hinges therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An multi-function apparatus includes a body, an openable image reading unit and an openable document cover. The image reading unit includes a locking member including a first engaging portion capable of engaging the body and a second engaging portion capable of engaging the document cover. The locking member is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position. When the locking member is moved to the first position, the first engaging portion engages the body and the image reading unit is locked to the closed position. When the locking member is moved to the second position, the second engaging portion engages the document cover, and the document cover is locked to the closed position. The multi-function apparatus further comprises a first urging member which urges the locking member at the second position when the image reading unit is in the opened position and a second urging member which urges the locking member at the first position when the document cover is in the opened position.

Claims

1. A multi-function apparatus comprising:

a body;

an image reading unit which has a document placing surface and which is configured to read an image of a document placed on the document placing surface, the image reading unit being movable between a closed position to cover an upper portion of the body and an opened position to open the upper portion; and

a document cover being movable between a closed position to cover the document placing surface and an opened position to open the document placing surface,

wherein

the image reading unit includes a locking member,

the locking member includes a first engaging portion being capable of engaging the body, and a second engaging portion being capable of engaging the document cover,

the locking member is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position such that

when the locking member is moved to the first position, the first engaging portion engages the body and the image reading unit is locked to the closed position, and the second engaging portion is disengaged from the document cover, so that the document cover is movable to the opened position,

when the locking member is moved to the second position, the first engaging portion is disengaged from the body and the image reading unit is allowed to move to the opened position, and the second engaging portion engages the document cover, and the document cover is locked to the closed position,

wherein the multi-function apparatus further comprises;

a first urging member which urges the locking member at the second position when the image reading unit is in the opened position; and

a second urging member which urges the locking member at the first position when the document cover is in the opened position.

2. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operation member configured to move the locking member from the first position to the second position; and

a restriction member configured to lock the locking member at the first position.

3. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation member is exposed to an outside to be manually operated by a user.

4. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position about an axis.

5. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first urging member includes a first spring.

6. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second urging member includes a second spring.

7. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first engaging portion includes a first arm member extending from a supporting shaft of the locking member and a first hook provided at a distal end of the first arm member and being engageable with the body, and

the second engaging portion includes a second arm member extending from the supporting shaft and a second hook provided at a distal end of the second arm member and being engageable with the document cover.

8. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second urging member includes a guide configured to guide the first engaging portion to an engaged portion provided on the body in association with the movement of the image reading unit from the opened position to the closed position.

9. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the image reading unit is rotatable with respect to the body about an axis positioned at a rear side of the multi-function apparatus, and

the document cover is rotatable with respect to the image reading unit about an axis positioned at the rear side of the multi-function apparatus.

10. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document cover includes an auto document feeder configured to transport the document to a reading position.