Multi-function apparatus

• US 8,610,910 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Nishikawa, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hang, Vu B
• Application Number:
  US12/890,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20110075178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.13, 358/497, 358/498, 399/110, 399/113, 399/114, 399/122, 399/126, 399/393
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/16 Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1609 protective arrangements for preventing damage
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1678 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1684 using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1296 Printer job scheduling or printer resource handling
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00525 Providing a more compact apparatus, e.g. sheet discharge tray in cover
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00554 Latches or hinges therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00559 Mounting or support of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1017 the main-scanning components remaining positionally invariant with respect to one another in the sub-scanning direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed 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;

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

a locking member which is movable to a first position and a second position and which includes a first engagement portion capable of engaging with the body and a second engagement portion capable of engaging with the document cover, wherein when the locking member is in the first position, the first engagement portion prevents the image reading unit from moving from the closed position to the opened position by engaging with the body, and when the locking member is in the second position, the second engagement portion prevents the document cover from moving from the closed position to the opened position by engaging with the document cover,

wherein

in response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position,

in response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.

2. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting member,

wherein when the image reading unit and the document cover are in the corresponding closed positions, the locking member is in a reference position, and

wherein the supporting member is configured to support the locking member between the reference position and the first position rotatably when the image reading unit is in the closed position, and to support the locking member in a determined direction between the reference position and the second position slidably when the image reading unit is in the opened position.

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

wherein the locking member moves to the first position by its own weight.

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

wherein the locking member moves to the second position by its own weight.

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

wherein the locking member moves to the first position by its own weight and to the second position by its own weight.

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

when the image reading unit and the document cover are in the corresponding closed positions, the locking member is in a reference position, and

the multi-function apparatus further comprises:

a first return mechanism configured to return the locking member from the first position to the reference position in response to a movement of the document cover to the closed position; and

a second return mechanism configured to return the locking member from the second position to the reference position in response to a movement of the image reading unit to the closed position.

7. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the locking member comprises a shaft, and

the supporting member has a round hole in which the shaft rotates and an oblong hole in which the shaft slides and to which the round hole connects.

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

the shaft has a larger width and a smaller width, and

an inside diameter of the round hole is larger than the larger width of the shaft, and the oblong hole has a width narrower than the larger width of the shaft but wider than the smaller width of the shaft, such that the shaft enters the oblong hole by its own weight at a determined angle and is restricted to rotate.

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

the first engagement portion comprises a first arm portion and a first hook which is positioned at a leading end of the first arm portion and is capable of engaging with the body, and

the second engagement portion comprises a second arm portion and a second hook which is positioned at a leading end of the second arm portion and is capable of engaging with the document cover.

10. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the first return mechanism comprises a third arm portion disposed on the locking member and an engagement arm disposed on the document cover, and

a leading end of the engagement arm presses the third arm in response to a movement of the document cover from the opened position to the closed position, such that the locking member returns to the reference position.

11. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the locking member comprises a shaft,

the second return mechanism comprises a bearing protruding upward from the body, and

an upper end of the bearing pushes up the shaft in response to a movement of the image reading unit from the opened position to the closed position, such that the locking member returns to the reference position.