Image reading system using an angle adjustment device

• US 8,727,292 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2012
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd. (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Access Technica Limited (NEC Corporation), NEC Engineering Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Sugiyama, Namie, Hatomi, Keisuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Michener, Joshua J
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHIBOGU, CHIEDU A
• Application Number:
  US13/444,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20120193495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 269/71, 269/136, 269/139, 403/111, 403/84, 248/299.1, 248/292.12, 248/292.14
• US Class Current: 248/292.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00493 Particular location of the interface or console
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32344 Side of rod engages recess in radial face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32434 Unidirectional movement, e.g., ratchet, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32541 Rotatable members resiliently biased to one position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32975 Rotatable

Abstract

An angle adjustment device, include a fixed portion; a movable portion; a connection portion which rotatably connects the movable portion to the fixed portion; and an elastic member which is arranged between the movable portion and the fixed portion and restricts rotational movement of the movable portion with kinetic friction generated between the movable portion and the fixed portion.

Claims

1. An image reading system, comprising:

an operation panel with which information about at least various operations is inputted; and

an angle adjustment device, comprising

a fixed portion including a fixed bracket having a burring tap,

a movable portion including a movable bracket, the movable portion being rotatable to the fixed portion,

a connection portion which connects said fixed portion to said movable portion,

an elastic member which is arranged between said movable bracket and said fixed bracket and restricts rotational movement of said movable portion with kinetic friction generated between said movable bracket and said fixed bracket,

a shaft bracket including a plurality of tooth portions, the shaft bracket being configured to sandwich the elastic member and the movable bracket by the fixed bracket by screwing into the burring tap of the fixed bracket, the plurality of tooth portions being formed on an outer circumference of a plate portion of the shaft bracket, and

a restriction bracket including at least one dowel configured to fit into and engage at least one of the tooth portions, the at least one dowel being configured to discretely restrict an insertion amount of the shaft bracket according to a rotation amount of the shaft bracket when the shaft bracket is screwed into the burring tap by the at least one dowel engaging with the at least one tooth portion during rotation of the shaft bracket,

wherein said elastic member has a washer shape and is configured to be inserted at a central axis of said movable portion so that one side face touches said fixed bracket and another side face touches said movable bracket, the elastic member generating kinetic friction force corresponding to an amount of elastic deformation of the elastic member when the at least one dowel engages the at least one of the tooth portions during rotation of the shaft bracket, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic member being controlled based on a fastening force to fasten the movable bracket to the fixed bracket, the fastening force being dependent on the insertion amount of the shaft portion,

and said angle adjustment device permits a position of said operation panel to be varied by a movement of said movable portion.

2. The image reading system according to claim 1, said angle adjustment device further comprising:

a ratchet mechanism which permits a motion of said movable portion in a direction of an initial posture position only when said movable portion arrives at a release posture position.

3. An image reading system, comprising:

an operation means for informing about at least various operations is inputted; and

an adjustment means, comprising

a fixed means including a fixed bracket having a burring tap,

a movable means including a movable bracket, the movable portion being rotatable to the fixed portion,

a connection means for connecting said fixed means to said movable means,

an elastic means for being arranged between said movable bracket and said fixed bracket and restricting rotational movement of said movable means with kinetic friction generated between said movable bracket and said fixed bracket,

a shaft bracket including a plurality of tooth portions, the shaft bracket being configured to sandwich the elastic means and the movable bracket by the fixed bracket by screwing into the burring tap of the fixed bracket, the plurality of tooth portions being formed on an outer circumference of a plate portion of the shaft bracket, and

a restriction bracket including at least one dowel configured to fit into and engage at least one of the tooth portions, the at least one dowel being configured to discretely restrict an insertion amount of the shaft bracket according to a rotation amount of the shaft bracket when the shaft bracket is screwed into the burring tap by the at least one dowel engaging with the at least one tooth portion during rotation of the shaft bracket,

wherein said elastic means has a washer shape and is inserted at a central axis of said movable means so that one side face touches said fixed bracket and another side face touches said movable bracket, the elastic means generating kinetic friction force corresponding to an amount of elastic deformation of the elastic means when the at least one dowel engages the at least one of the tooth portions during rotation of the shaft bracket, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic means being controlled based on a fastening force to fasten the movable bracket to the fixed bracket, the fastening force being dependent on the insertion amount of the shaft portion, and

said adjustment means permits a position of said operation means to be varied by movement of said movable portion.

4. The image reading system according to claim 3, said adjustment means further comprising:

a ratchet means for permitting a motion in a direction of an initial posture position only when said movable means arrives at a release posture position.