Fixing element for fixing covers, cover device and multifunction printer

• US 8,977,164 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited (Cal-Comp Electronics Public Company Limited), Kinpo Electronics Incorporated (Cal-Comp Electronics Public Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited (Cal-Comp Electronics Public Company Limited), Kinpo Electronics Incorporated (Cal-Comp Electronics Public Company Limited)
• Inventors: Hsiung, Chang-Kai
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROTH, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US13/615,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20140021839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 399/125, 399279-380
• US Class Current: 399/125
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/065 the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1623 Means to access the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1678 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00551 Top covers or the like
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0826 Operating means

Abstract

A fixing element, a cover device and a multifunction printer are provided. The multifunction printer includes a machine body, the cover device and the fixing element. The cover device is disposed on the machine body and includes a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover. The fixing element passes through and is fixed on the second cover. The first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.

Claims

1. A fixing element, comprising:

a cylinder;

a first locking hook connected to the cylinder, wherein a locking direction of the first locking hook is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder;

a guiding column connected to the cylinder, wherein the guiding column and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder; and

a second locking hook connected to the cylinder and located beside the guiding column, wherein the second locking hook and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder, and a locking direction of the second locking hook is perpendicular to a radial direction of the cylinder.

2. The fixing element according to claim 1, wherein the guiding column comprises a guiding inclined plane, and the guiding inclined plane inclines along the axial direction.

3. The fixing element according to claim 1, wherein the guiding column further comprises a third locking hook, and an end of a first spring is connected to the third locking hook.

4. The fixing element according to claim 3, wherein a locking direction of the third locking hook is different from the locking direction of the first locking hook.

5. The fixing element according to claim 1, wherein the second locking hook further comprises a fourth locking hook, and an end of a second spring is connected to the fourth locking hook.

6. The fixing element according to claim 5, wherein a locking direction of the fourth locking hook is the same as the locking direction of the second locking hook.

7. A cover device, comprising:

a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover; and

a fixing element passing through and being fixed on the second cover, wherein the fixing element comprises;

a cylinder;

a first locking hook connected to the cylinder, wherein a locking direction of the first locking hook is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder, and the first locking hook is for being fastened with the first limiting portion of the first cover;

a guiding column connected to the cylinder, wherein the guiding column and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder; and

a second locking hook connected to the cylinder and located beside the guiding column, wherein the second locking hook and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder, a locking direction of the second locking hook is perpendicular to a radial direction of the cylinder, and the second locking hook is for being fastened with the second limiting portion,

the first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.

8. The cover device according to claim 7, wherein the first cover comprises a first limiting portion, and the third cover comprises a second limiting portion.

9. The cover device according to claim 8, wherein the first limiting portion or the second limiting portion is a locking hook or an opening.

10. The cover device according to claim 8, wherein the first cover further comprises a third limiting portion located beside the first limiting portion.

11. The cover device according to claim 10, wherein the third limiting portion is a limiting bump.

12. The cover device according to claim 8, wherein the guiding column comprises a guiding inclined plane, and the guiding inclined plane inclines along the axial direction.

13. The cover device according to claim 12, wherein the third cover further comprises a guiding bump, the guiding bump comprises a guiding plane, and the guiding inclined plane of the guiding column contacts the guiding plane.

14. The cover device according to claim 8, further comprising a first spring, the guiding column further comprising a third locking hook, wherein an end of the first spring is connected to the third locking hook.

15. The cover device according to claim 14, wherein a locking direction of the third locking hook is different from the locking direction of the first locking hook.

16. The cover device according to claim 8, further comprising a second spring, the second locking hook further comprising a fourth locking hook, wherein an end of a second spring is connected to the fourth locking hook.

17. The cover device according to claim 16, wherein a locking direction of the fourth locking hook is the same as the locking direction of the second locking hook.

18. A multifunction printer, comprising:

a machine body;

a cover device disposed in the machine body and comprising a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover; and

a fixing element passing through and being fixed on the second cover, wherein the fixing element comprises;

a cylinder;

a first locking hook connected to the cylinder, wherein a locking direction of the first locking hook is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder, and the first locking hook is for being fastened with the first limiting portion of the first cover;

a guiding column connected to the cylinder, wherein the guiding column and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder; and

a second locking hook connected to the cylinder and located beside the guiding column, wherein the second locking hook and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder, a locking direction of the second locking hook is perpendicular a radial direction of the cylinder, and the second locking hook is for being fastened with the second limiting portion,

the first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.

19. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the first cover comprises a first limiting portion, and the third cover comprises a second limiting portion.

20. The multifunction printer according to claim 19, wherein the first limiting portion or the second limiting portion is a locking hook or an opening.

21. The multifunction printer according to claim 19, wherein the first cover further comprises a third limiting portion located beside the first limiting portion.

22. The multifunction printer according to claim 21, wherein the third limiting portion is a limiting bump.

23. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the guiding column comprises a guiding inclined plane, and the guiding inclined plane inclines along the axial direction.

24. The multifunction printer according to claim 23, wherein the third cover further comprises a guiding bump, the guiding bump comprises a guiding plane, and the guiding inclined plane of the guiding column contacts the guiding plane.

25. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the cover device further comprises a first spring, the guiding column further comprises a third locking hook, and an end of the first spring is connected to the third locking hook.

26. The multifunction printer according to claim 25, wherein a locking direction of the third locking hook is different from the locking direction of the first locking hook.

27. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the cover device further comprises a second spring, the second locking hook further comprises a fourth locking hook, and an end of the second spring is connected to the fourth locking hook.

28. The multifunction printer according to claim 27, wherein a locking direction of the fourth locking hook is the same as the locking direction of the second locking hook.

29. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the first cover is a scan lid.

30. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the second cover is a scan base.

31. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the third cover is a mid chassis.