Hinge apparatus for cover of image forming apparatus

• US 9,527,322 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HP Printing Korea Co., Ltd. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Dong-ha
• Primary Examiner(s): WALSH, RYAN D
• Application Number:
  US14/165,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20140137479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 399/377, 399/379, 399/380, 162/77, 163/03, 163/25, 355/25, 358/497, 358/498
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/00 Additional features or accessories of hinges edge protecting devices E06B3/88
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/02 Lubricating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/08 Friction devices between relatively-movable hinge parts E05D7/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/02 with one pin
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1261 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/34 with only one kind of movement E06B3/48 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/605 Holders for originals or exposure platens for photographic purposes in general G03B
• 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 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 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body having a document platen on which a document can be placed;

a cover to open and close an upper side of the document platen; and

a hinge apparatus coupling the cover to the main body,

wherein the hinge apparatus includes;

a first body movable in an opening in the main body,

a pressure device biasedly movable in the first body, and

a second body, coupled to the cover, movably engaging the pressure device, and rotatably hinged to the first body;

wherein a center of rotation of the second body is offset by a distance from a line along a center of the pressure device.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the offset of the center of rotation of the second body is in a direction toward the document platen.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure device includes:

a pusher disposed to slide inside the first body, and

at least one pressure spring applying pressure to the pusher such that an upper surface of the pusher is in contact with a facing surface of a cam part of the second body, to thereby bias the pressure device towards an end of the first body.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an upper end of the at least one pressure spring is supported by a spring support provided on the pusher.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a lower end of the at least one pressure spring is supported by a spring support provided on the first body.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge apparatus includes

a first protrusion that extends from an upper portion of the hinge apparatus to interfere with a first portion of the opening in the main body so as to limit an inserting range of the hinge apparatus into the opening in the main body.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the hinge apparatus further includes

a second protrusion extends from a lower portion of the hinge apparatus to interfere with a second portion of the opening in the main body so as to limit a withdrawal range of the hinge out of the opening in the main body.