Hinge mechanism for automatic document feeder and automatic document feeder provided therewith
First Claim
1. A hinge mechanism for an automatic document feeder, the hinge mechanism comprising a pair of hinge units,whereinthe pair of hinge units each include:
- a hinge base supported on an image reading unit which reads a document image;
a hinge upper member supported on an automatic document feeder which feeds a document to the image reading unit;
a shaft which pivotably couples the hinge base and the hinge upper member together;
a groove which is formed in a circumferential surface of the shaft in an annular shape in a circumferential direction of the shaft, and which restricts movement of the shaft in an axial direction of the shaft by engaging with a rib provided on the automatic document feeder when the hinge upper member is attached to the automatic document feeder, andthe hinge mechanism holds the automatic document feeder in such a manner as to be openable and closable in up and down directions with respect to the image reading unit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hinge mechanism of the present disclosure includes a pair of hinge units each having a hinge base, a hinge upper member, and a shaft, and the hinge mechanism holds an automatic document feeder to be openable/closable in up/down directions with respect to an image reading unit. The hinge base is supported on the image reading unit which reads a document image. The hinge upper member is supported on the automatic document feeder which feeds a document to the image reading unit. The shaft pivotably couples the hinge base and the hinge upper member together. By attaching the hinge upper member to the automatic document feeder, a groove formed in a circumferential surface of the shaft in an annular shape in a circumferential direction of the shaft and a rib provided on the automatic document feeder engage with each other, whereby axial movement of the shaft is restricted.
5 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A hinge mechanism for an automatic document feeder, the hinge mechanism comprising a pair of hinge units,
wherein the pair of hinge units each include: -
a hinge base supported on an image reading unit which reads a document image; a hinge upper member supported on an automatic document feeder which feeds a document to the image reading unit; a shaft which pivotably couples the hinge base and the hinge upper member together; a groove which is formed in a circumferential surface of the shaft in an annular shape in a circumferential direction of the shaft, and which restricts movement of the shaft in an axial direction of the shaft by engaging with a rib provided on the automatic document feeder when the hinge upper member is attached to the automatic document feeder, and the hinge mechanism holds the automatic document feeder in such a manner as to be openable and closable in up and down directions with respect to the image reading unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification