JP2015068867A - Hinge device, fitting structure of manuscript cover having the same, and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge device or the like capable of easily performing attachment work of a manuscript cover against a housing.SOLUTION: A hinge device 36 supports a manuscript cover 33 for depressing a manuscript S onto platen glass 21 provided on a device main body 2 openably/closably against the platen glass 21. The hinge device includes: a supporting member 37 provided in the manuscript cover 33; an attachment member 38 whose one end part is rotatably coupled to the supporting member 37 and which is detachably provided in the device main body 2; and a movable auxiliary member 39 that is rotatably provided at the other end part of the attachment member 38 and configured by including a body of rotation such as a ball 39a that is movable on the platen glass 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hinge device that is suitably used for a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, and the like having a document retainer, a document retainer mounting structure including the hinge device, and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that pivotally supports a document presser via a hinge device, exposes a platen glass as a document placement surface on the upper surface of the apparatus body, and presses the document on the platen glass. ing.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a first attachment member attached to a copying machine and a second attachment member attached to an automatic document feeder (ADF) including a document retainer are rotatable by a first shaft member. And a hinge device in which a spring is installed between a first mounting member and a second mounting member. A pair of left and right hinge devices (second attachment members) are fixed to the ADF with screws or the like. The copying machine is provided with stepped hooks and screw holes, and a pair of left and right hinge devices (first attachment members) are fixed by screws or the like, and the ADF is attached to be openable and closable.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-220093

  By the way, the ADF including the document retainer has been increased in size and weight in order to realize transportation of a large-sized document, high-speed transportation of a document, and the like. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is necessary to align and attach a large and heavy ADF to the screw hole of the copying machine so as not to damage the platen glass. For this reason, the installation work is very difficult for the operator.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a hinge device capable of easily performing a work of attaching a document presser to a housing, a document presser attachment structure including the hinge device, and an image forming apparatus. It is intended to do.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a hinge device that supports a document presser that presses a document on a document placement surface provided in a housing so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement surface. A support member provided on the presser, one end portion connected to the support member so as to be rotatable, a mounting member provided detachably on the housing, and a rotation member provided on the other end of the mounting member. And a movement assisting member configured to include a rotating body capable of rolling on the document placement surface.

  According to this configuration, the mounting member is mounted on the casing while moving on the document placement surface while rolling the rotating body. For this reason, for example, even a large and heavy document presser can be moved by rolling on the document placement surface by attaching a hinge device (support member). Thereby, in the work of attaching the document presser to the housing, the work can be easily performed without damaging the document placement surface. That is, it is possible to reduce the load on the worker related to the attachment work.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hinge device that supports a document presser that presses a document against a document placement surface provided in a housing so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement surface. A support member provided in the document presser, a one end portion rotatably connected to the support member, a releasable attachment member provided in the housing, and a second end portion of the attachment member; And a movement assisting member configured to include a sliding contact body that is slidable on the document placement surface.

  According to this configuration, the attachment member is mounted on the casing by moving on the document placement surface while sliding the sliding contact body. For this reason, for example, even a large and heavy document presser can be slid on the document placement surface by attaching a hinge device (support member). Thereby, in the work of attaching the document presser to the housing, the work can be easily performed without damaging the document placement surface. That is, it is possible to reduce the load on the worker related to the attachment work.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an attachment structure for a document retainer that presses a document against a document placement surface provided on the housing, and is formed on any of the above-described hinge device and the housing. A mounting portion to which the mounting member of the hinge device is mounted; and a pair of guide members that project from the housing so as to guide the mounting member toward the mounting portion. The guide member extends from the document placement surface toward the mounting portion so that the interval is narrowed.

  According to this configuration, the movement of the hinge device toward the mounting portion can be guided by the pair of guide members. Further, since the distance between the pair of guide members from the document placement surface toward the mounting portion is narrow, for example, even if the moving direction of the hinge device is deviated from the mounting portion, the pair of guide members The moving direction of the hinge device is appropriately corrected. Thereby, the attachment member of a hinge apparatus can be suitably mounted | worn with respect to a mounting part. That is, the work of attaching the document presser to the housing can be easily and appropriately performed.

  In this case, the mounting portion is recessed in the housing and accommodates the movement assisting member, and a contact position that regulates detachment of the movement assisting member accommodated in the fitting recess. A locking member that is displaceable between a separation position that allows separation of the movement assisting member housed in the fitting recess, and a biasing member that biases the locking member toward the contact position. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the movement assisting member (rotating body or sliding contact body) accommodated in the fitting recess is held in a state in which the movement assisting member (rotating body or sliding contact body) is restricted from being separated by the lock member biased by the biasing member. Thereby, the mounting state of the hinge device (original presser) with respect to the mounting portion can be maintained.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any of the above-described document pressing attachment structures.

  According to this configuration, for example, even a large and heavy document presser can be moved by rolling on the document placement surface by attaching a hinge device (support member). Thereby, the attachment work of the document retainer can be facilitated without damaging the document placement surface, and the burden on the operator related to the attachment work can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform the work of attaching the document presser to the housing.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state where an automatic document feeder is removed from an apparatus main body, which is a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the hinge apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a side view of a hinge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a side cross-sectional view showing a part of an apparatus main body and a document cover. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an upper part of an apparatus main body, which is a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the hinge apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the hinge apparatus which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which the automatic document feeder is removed from the apparatus main body, which is a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of hinge apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the upper side of the apparatus main body, which is a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. 10, Comprising: The lock member has shown the state which moved to the contact position. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. 10, Comprising: The lock member has shown the state which moved to the separation position.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, each direction is defined as indicated by an arrow in each figure.

<First Embodiment>
First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the automatic document feeder 5 is detached from the apparatus main body 2.

  The multi-function device 1 is configured by housing an image forming device 3, an image reading device 4, and the like inside a substantially box-shaped device main body 2 (housing). An automatic document feeder 5 that automatically feeds the document S one by one to the image reading position H of the image reading device 4 is mounted on the upper plate 2a (see FIG. 2 and the like) of the apparatus main body 2.

  The image forming apparatus 3 includes a sheet storage unit 6 that stores a sheet, an image forming unit 8 that transfers a toner image to a sheet supplied from the sheet storage unit 6 to a conveyance path 7, and fixes the transferred toner image on the sheet. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device 9 and a paper discharge unit 10 that is a discharge destination of the paper after fixing. The document S and paper are not limited to paper recording materials, but also include recording materials such as resin films and OHP sheets.

  The image forming unit 8 performs a monochrome image forming process based on image data transmitted from, for example, a personal computer (not shown) or the image reading device 4, and contains toner for supplying replenishment toner (black). A container 11 is provided. The image forming unit 8 includes a charger 13, an exposure device 14, a developing device 15, and a transfer roller 16 that are arranged around a photosensitive drum 12 serving as a rotatable image carrier in the order of the transfer process. And a cleaning device 17.

  The image reading apparatus 4 includes a contact glass 20 and a platen glass 21 fixed to the upper plate 2a of the apparatus main body 2, an optical scanning unit 22 provided so as to be able to read a document S on each glass 20, 21, and an optical scanning unit. 22 includes a reflection unit 23 that reflects light from 22 and a CCD 25 to which the reflected light is input via a condenser lens 24. The condenser lens 24 and the CCD 25 are fixed.

  The optical scanning unit 22 includes a light source 26 that emits light toward the document S, and a reflection unit 27 that directs the light reflected by the document S toward the reflection unit 23. When the light reflected by the document S is input to the CCD 25, the image on the document S is converted into an electrical signal.

  The optical scanning unit 22 is configured to be able to read a document S (image thereof) passing over the contact glass 20 by the automatic document feeder 5 while being fixed at the image reading position H. Further, the optical scanning unit 22 can scan the document S placed on the platen glass 21 as the document placement surface by scanning rightward from the image reading position H. At this time, the reflection unit 23 moves in the same direction as the optical scanning unit 22 and by a distance of ½ so that the optical path length from the document S to the condenser lens 24 is always constant.

  An automatic document feeder 5 (ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) includes a supply tray 30 on which a document S is placed, a conveyance mechanism 31 that sends the document S on the supply tray 30 to the image reading device 4, and a document after image reading. A discharge tray 32 that receives S and a document cover 33 as a document presser that supports the transport mechanism 31 and the discharge tray 32 are provided.

  The supply tray 30 is formed in a resin tray shape so that a plurality of documents S can be stacked. The supply tray 30 extends to the right in the upper part of the transport mechanism 31. The supply tray 30 is provided to be inclined slightly downward toward the transport mechanism 31. The document stacking surface of the supply tray 30 is provided with a pair of document transport guides 30a that slide in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction) and regulate the position of the stacked documents S in the width direction.

  Although not shown in the figure, the transport mechanism 31 is folded back so as to allow the supply tray 30 and the discharge tray 32 to communicate with each other, and a plurality of the transport mechanisms 31 are rotatably disposed along a document transport path formed in a substantially U shape. It is configured to include rollers.

  The discharge tray 32 is formed in a tray shape so that the discharged document S can be received. The discharge tray 32 is disposed below the supply tray 30, and the surface that receives the document S is formed substantially parallel to the supply tray 30.

  The document cover 33 presses the document S against the platen glass 21 provided on the upper plate 2 a of the apparatus main body 2. The document cover 33 is provided below the transport mechanism 31 and the discharge tray 32. The document cover 33 includes a cover frame 34 formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, a mat 35 provided on the lower surface of the cover frame 34, and a pair of left and right hinge devices 36 provided on the back side of the cover frame 34. ing.

  The cover frame 34 is made of a resin material and is integrally formed with the exterior of the transport mechanism 31 and the discharge tray 32. The mat 35 is a resin material having elasticity, and is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape smaller than the cover frame 34.

  The document cover 33 is attached to the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 via a pair of left and right hinge devices 36 (see FIG. 2). That is, the automatic document feeder 5 is configured to rotate about the rotation axis of each hinge device 36. The contact glass 20 and the platen glass 21 are exposed by rotating the front side of the automatic document feeder 5 so as to lift upward. When the document S is placed on the platen glass 21 and the automatic document feeder 5 is closed, the document S is pressed from above by the mat 35.

  Here, the image forming process by the multifunction machine 1 will be briefly described. Image data read and photoelectrically converted by the optical scanning unit 22 or the like is output from the image reading device 4 to the image forming device 3. When image data is input to the image forming device 3 from the image reading device 4 or the like, the exposure device 14 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 13 according to the image data. . As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is developed into a toner image by the developing device 15. This toner image is transferred to a sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 7 from the sheet container 6 by applying a transfer bias to the transfer roller 16, and is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 9. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 10. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 after the transfer is removed by the cleaning device 17.

  Next, the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the hinge device 36. FIG. 4 is a side view of the hinge device 36, and a side sectional view showing a part of the apparatus main body 2 and the document cover 33. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the upper part of the apparatus main body 2. In the following description, the document cover 33 (automatic document feeder 5) is closed as a reference.

  The pair of hinge devices 36 supports the document cover 33 (automatic document feeder 5) with respect to the platen glass 21 so that it can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of hinge devices 36 are disposed on the back surface (lower surface) of the cover frame 34 and are separated from each other along one side of the back surface side. In addition, since a pair of hinge apparatus 36 has the same structure, respectively, it demonstrates below paying attention to one hinge apparatus 36 hereafter.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hinge device 36 has a support member 37 provided on the document cover 33 and an upper end portion (one end portion) connected to the support member 37 so as to be rotatable. A mounting member 38 that is detachably provided, a movement assisting member 39 that includes a ball 39a that is rotatably provided on the lower end portion (the other end portion) of the mounting member and that can roll on the platen glass 21, It has.

  The support member 37 includes a fitting portion 40 formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, and a rotating shaft portion 43 provided between a pair of left and right shaft support plates 41 extending rearward from the rear end of the fitting portion 40. , And a pair of left and right flange portions 44 projecting from the outside of the fitting portion 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fitting part 40 is formed hollow. In the fitting portion 40, an assist mechanism 45 that assists in opening and closing the document cover 33 (automatic document feeder 5) is incorporated. The assist mechanism 45 includes a pair of left and right assist springs 45a (so-called coil springs) whose front end faces a front inner surface of the fitting portion 40, a spring support portion 45b that supports each assist spring 45a, and a rear end surface of the spring support portion 45b. And an assist cam 45c that comes into contact therewith. When the support member 37 is rotated upward with respect to the attachment member 38, the rear end surface of the spring support portion 45b moves relatively along the cam surface of the assist cam 45c. Thereby, each compressed assist spring 45a is extended, and the opening force of the document cover 33 (automatic document feeder 5) is assisted by using this extending force.

  The pair of left and right shaft support plates 41 are each formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the side, and are flush with the left and right side surfaces of the fitting portion 40. Each shaft support plate 41 is formed with a shaft fixing hole 41a penetrating in the left-right direction. The rotating shaft portion 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and both left and right end portions thereof are press-fitted into the shaft fixing holes 41 a of the pair of shaft support plates 41.

  The pair of flange portions 44 extend outward from the lower positions of the left and right outer surfaces of the fitting portion 40. Each flange portion 44 is formed in a flat plate shape. In each flange portion 44, three fastening holes 44a are formed penetratingly in the front-rear direction.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the attachment member 38 includes a bearing portion 46 provided integrally with the assist cam 45 c and a leg portion 47 extending downward from the bearing portion 46. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the above-described assist cam 45 c is provided on the bearing portion 46 so as to protrude forward. A bearing hole 46a is formed through the bearing portion 46 in the left-right direction. The above-described rotation shaft portion 43 is inserted into the bearing hole 46a. That is, the rotating shaft portion 43 supported by the pair of left and right shaft fixing holes 41a is pivotally supported by the bearing holes 46a. As a result, the support member 37 is rotatably supported by the attachment member 38 around the rotation shaft portion 43. In addition, an insertion restricting portion 48 is formed at the lower portion of the bearing portion 46 so as to protrude to the front, rear, left, and right outside. A protrusion 48 a that protrudes downward is formed on the lower surface of the insertion restricting portion 48.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the leg 47 is formed in a hollow, substantially prismatic shape. On the lower rear side of the leg portion 47, an obliquely chamfered tapered surface 47a is formed. Further, a lower end opening 47b is formed on the lower end surface and the tapered surface 47a of the leg portion 47 so as to open the inside. Although detailed description is omitted, a detachment regulating member 49 is provided inside the leg portion 47. The detachment restricting member 49 is immersed in the leg 47 when the document cover 33 is opened and the leg cover 47 is closed when the document cover 33 is closed, with the document cover 33 mounted with the hinge devices 36 attached to the apparatus main body 2. It is comprised so that it may protrude.

  The movement assisting member 39 has a ball 39a as a rotating body and a rotating shaft 39b that rotatably supports the ball 39a.

  The ball 39a is a spherical roller, and its surface is made of a resin material (rubber, nylon, urethane, etc.). The rotating shaft 39b is fixed by penetrating in the left-right direction so as to pass through the center of the ball 39a. Both left and right ends of the rotating shaft 39b are pivotally supported by a pair of left and right roller bearing holes 47c formed in the vicinity of the lower end opening 47b of the leg 47. Thereby, the ball 39a is rotatably supported in the lower end opening 47b with its lower side exposed from the lower end opening 47b.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, a structure for attaching each hinge device 36 to the document cover 33 will be described. In a state where the document cover 33 is closed, a pair of left and right fitting mounting portions 50 are recessed in the rear portion of the lower surface of the cover frame 34. Specifically, the pair of left and right fitting attachment portions 50 are formed at positions where the transport mechanism 31 and the discharge tray 32 can be supported. A support member 37 of the hinge device 36 is fitted into each fitting attachment portion 50. A screw (not shown) is inserted into each fastening hole 44 a formed in each flange portion 44 of each support member 37, and this screw is fastened to each screw hole (not shown) of each fitting attachment portion 50. Is done. As a result, the hinge device 36 is attached to the document cover 33.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a structure for attaching the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2 will be described. A pair of left and right insertion mounting portions 51 are formed on the upper plate 2 a of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the position of each hinge device 36 attached to the document cover 33. Each insertion mounting portion 51 is formed through the upper plate 2a in the vertical direction on the rear side of the apparatus body 2 (see FIG. 4). Each insertion mounting portion 51 is formed in a shape and size that allows the leg portion 47 of the attachment member 38 to be fitted, and the leg portion 47 is inserted and mounted. Further, an inner space S1 of the apparatus main body 2 is formed below the upper plate 2a, and a lower end portion of each leg portion 47 penetrating the insertion mounting portion 51 is located in the inner space S1 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of left and right guide members 52 are disposed between the pair of left and right insertion mounting portions 51 and the platen glass 21. A pair of left and right guide members 52 (two sets of left and right) project from the upper plate 2a of the apparatus body 2 in the left-right direction so as to guide the attachment member 38 (leg portion 47) toward the insertion mounting portion 51. Has been. The pair of left and right guide members 52 are extended from the platen glass 21 toward the insertion mounting portion 51 so that the distance in the left and right direction becomes narrower. The distance between the pair of left and right guide members 52 is set so that at least the leg portion 47 of the hinge device 36 can pass through a narrow portion (on the side of the insertion mounting portion 51).

  Next, a procedure for attaching the document cover 33 with the hinge devices 36 attached to the apparatus main body 2 will be described. Here, it is assumed that each hinge device 36 is attached to the document cover 33. Hereinafter, the description will be given focusing on one hinge device 36.

  In order to mount the hinge device 36 to the insertion mounting portion 51, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the angle formed by the support member 37 and the mounting member 38 of the hinge device 36 is larger than 90 ° (for example, 150 °). degree). That is, when the document cover 33 (automatic document feeder 5) is attached to the apparatus main body 2 via each hinge device 36, the hinge device 36 is rotated so that the document cover 33 is opened. At this time, the detachment restricting member 49 is immersed in the leg portion 47.

  In this state, the operator places the document cover 33 (including the automatic document feeder 5) with the hinge devices 36 mounted on the platen glass 21 from the front of the apparatus main body 2. At this time, the ball 39 a provided on the leg portion 47 of the hinge device 36 is brought into contact with the platen glass 21. The position where the ball 39a is placed on the platen glass 21 may be any of the front side, the middle part, and the rear side in the front-rear direction, and may be placed at any position in the front-rear direction. Further, the position where the ball 39a is placed is not limited to the position on the platen glass 21, but the ball 39a may be placed on the upper plate 2a between the platen glass 21 and the insertion mounting portion 51. At this time, it is preferable to place the hinge device 36 and the insertion mounting portion 51 at a position where they substantially coincide with each other when viewed from the front.

  Next, when the document cover 33 is moved backward from this state, the ball 39a moves while rolling on the platen glass 21. When the ball 39 a gets over the rear end portion of the platen glass 21, the leg portion 47 of the hinge device 36 enters between the pair of left and right guide members 52. When the document cover 33 is further moved rearward, the leg portion 47 of the hinge device 36 is guided by the pair of left and right guide members 52 to move to the vicinity of the front side of the insertion mounting portion 51. At this point, the alignment of the document cover 33 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is substantially completed.

  From this state, the operator inserts the leg portion 47 of the hinge device 36 (attachment member 38) into the insertion mounting portion 51. As the insertion of each leg 47 proceeds, the insertion restricting portion 48 (protrusion 48a) of the attachment member 38 comes into contact with the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 (upper plate 2a), and the insertion of the leg 47 into each insertion mounting portion 51 is performed. Stops (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the attachment of the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2 is completed. In addition, the front-end | tip part (lower end part) of the leg part 47 penetrates the insertion mounting part 51, and protrudes to internal space S1.

  Thereafter, when the document cover 33 (automatic document feeder 5) is closed so as to cover the platen glass 21 and the like, the hinge device 36 is rotated so that the angle formed between the support member 37 and the mounting member 38 becomes approximately 90 °. . Then, the detachment restricting member 49 protrudes outward from the leg portion 47 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, when the document cover 33 is closed, the hinge device 36 (leg portion 47) cannot be pulled out from the insertion mounting portion 51.

  It should be noted that the document cover 33 with the hinge devices 36 attached thereto can be detached (released) from the apparatus main body 2 by a procedure reverse to the attachment procedure described above.

  According to the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment described above, the mounting member 38 is mounted on the device main body 2 while moving on the platen glass 21 while rolling the ball 39a. For this reason, for example, even a large and heavy document cover 33 can be moved on the platen glass 21 by attaching the hinge device 36 (support member 37). Thereby, in the attaching operation of the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2, the attaching operation can be easily performed without damaging the platen glass 21. That is, it is possible to reduce the load on the worker related to the attachment work.

  Further, according to the attachment structure of the document cover 33 according to the first embodiment described above, the movement of each hinge device 36 toward the insertion mounting portion 51 can be guided by the pair of guide members 52. Further, since the pair of guide members 52 has a narrower left-right distance from the platen glass 21 toward the insertion mounting portion 51, for example, the moving direction of the hinge device 36 with respect to each insertion mounting portion 51 is Even if they are misaligned, the moving direction of each hinge device 36 is appropriately corrected by the pair of guide members 52. Thereby, the attachment member 38 of the hinge apparatus 36 can be appropriately mounted on each insertion mounting portion 51. That is, the work of attaching the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2 can be performed easily and appropriately.

  In the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment, the ball 39a is used as the movement assisting member 39, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the ball 39a, a cylindrical (columnar) or substantially barrel-shaped roller may be used. Further, although the ball 39a rotating around the rotation shaft 39b is used as the movement assisting member 39, a so-called ball caster capable of rotating the ball in all directions on a plane may be used instead.

<First Modification>
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the hinge apparatus 60 which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated easily. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a hinge device 60 according to a first modification. In the following description of each modification, the same components as those of the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the hinge device 60 according to the first modification, a low friction member 61a as a sliding contact body that can slide on the platen glass 21 is used as the movement assisting member 61 in place of the ball 39a described above. Part 47) at the lower end. The low friction member 61a is formed of a resin whose surface is coated with fluorine. In this case, the low friction member 61a is fixed in the lower end opening 47b with its lower side exposed from the lower end opening 47b. The low friction member 61 a preferably has a shape that makes surface contact with the platen glass 21.

  According to the hinge device 60 according to the first modification of the first embodiment described above, the attachment member 38 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2 while moving on the platen glass 21 while sliding the low friction member 61a. Therefore, for example, even a large and heavy document presser can be slid on the platen glass 21 by attaching the hinge device 60. Thereby, in the attaching operation of the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2, the attaching operation can be easily performed without damaging the platen glass 21.

<Second Modification>
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the hinge apparatus 63 which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated easily. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a hinge device 63 according to a second modification.

  In the hinge device 63 according to the second modification, the assist mechanism 45 is omitted. The hinge device 63 is configured by connecting a substantially U-shaped support member 64 having an open bottom and an attachment member 65 having a leg portion 66 via a rotation shaft portion 67 so as to be rotatable. . Even in this case, the ball 39a (or the fixed low friction member 61a) supported rotatably is provided as the movement assisting member 39 (or 62). Since the assist device 45 is substantially the same as the hinge device 36 except that the assist mechanism 45 is omitted, a detailed description of the hinge device 63 is omitted.

Second Embodiment
Next, with reference to FIG. 8 thru | or FIG. 12, the hinge apparatus 70 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. Here, FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a state where the automatic document feeder 5 is detached from the apparatus main body 2. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the hinge device 70. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing the upper part of the apparatus main body 2. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views taken along the line AA in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the lock member 85 has moved to the contact position P1, and FIG. 12 shows that the lock member 85 has moved to the separation position P2. Indicates the state. In the following description, the same components as those of the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment (including the modified example) described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the hinge device 70 according to the second embodiment is provided with a pair of left and right on the back side between the apparatus main body 2 and the document cover 33, similarly to the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment described above. It has been. In addition, since a pair of hinge apparatus 70 has the same structure, respectively, it demonstrates below paying attention to one hinge apparatus 70 below.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the hinge device 70 includes a support member 71, a mounting member 72, and a movement auxiliary member 73 configured to include a roller 73 a, similar to the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment described above. It is equipped with.

  The support member 71 is formed in a substantially U-shaped groove extending in the front-rear direction with the lower part opened while the document cover 33 is closed. Flat flange portions 74 are extended outwardly at the lower ends of the left and right outer surfaces of the support member 71, respectively. In each flange portion 74, three fastening holes 74a are formed penetratingly in the front-rear direction. An assist mechanism 75 that assists in opening and closing the document cover 33 is provided inside the support member 71 in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

  The attachment member 72 is generally formed in a substantially U-shaped groove shape that opens upward and extends in the front-rear direction with the document cover 33 closed. That is, with the document cover 33 closed, the open portion of the attachment member 72 faces the open portion of the support member 71. A fixing hole 72a is formed through the bottom portion of the mounting member 72 (see FIG. 8).

  The attachment member 72 includes a shaft support portion 77 that rotatably supports the support member 71 via the rotation shaft portion 76, and an arm portion 78 that extends forward from the lower end portion of the shaft support portion 77. Is formed. The rotation shaft portion 76 is fixed to the rear end portion of the support member 71, and both left and right end portions thereof are pivotally supported on the upper front side by U-shaped standing portions of the shaft support portion 77. A front end opening (not shown) is formed in the bottom portion of the arm portion 78 so as to be cut from the front end.

  The movement assisting member 73 includes a roller 73a as a rotating body and a rotating shaft 73b that rotatably supports the roller 73a.

  The roller 73a is a cylindrical (or columnar) roller, and its surface is made of a resin material (rubber, nylon, urethane, etc.). The rotation shaft 73b is fixed by penetrating in the left-right direction so as to pass through the axis of the roller 73a. The left and right end portions of the rotating shaft 73b are pivotally supported by a pair of left and right roller bearing holes 78a formed in a U-shaped standing portion on the front end side of the arm portion 78. Thereby, the roller 73a is rotatably supported by the arm part 78 in the state which exposed the front side from the front-end opening part.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the attachment structure of each hinge device 70 to the document cover 33 will be described. Similar to the first embodiment described above, a pair of left and right fitting attachment portions 80 are recessed in the rear portion of the lower surface of the cover frame 34 with the document cover 33 closed. A support member 71 of the hinge device 70 is fitted in each fitting attachment portion 80, and a screw (not shown) inserted through each fastening hole 74 a of each flange portion 74 is a screw hole (see FIG. (Not shown). As a result, the hinge device 70 is attached to the document cover 33.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a structure for attaching the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2 will be described. A pair of left and right mounting portions 81 are formed on the upper plate 2 a of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the positions of the hinge devices 70 attached to the document cover 33. Each mounting portion 81 is recessed in the upper plate 2 a on the rear side of the apparatus main body 2.

  Each mounting portion 81 temporarily fixes a concave body 82 that accommodates the arm portion 78 of the attachment member 72, a fitting concave portion 83 that accommodates the movement auxiliary member 73, and the movement auxiliary member 73 that is accommodated in the fitting concave portion 83. And a lock mechanism 84.

  The recess main body 82 is a depression that is lowered by one step from the upper surface of the upper plate 2a, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The fitting recess 83 is a depression that is further lowered by one step at the front end portion of the recess body 82, and has a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape so that the roller 73a is fitted therein (see FIG. 11).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the lock mechanism 84 allows the contact position P <b> 1 for restricting the separation of the movement assisting member 73 accommodated in the fitting recess 83 and the disengagement of the movement assisting member 73 accommodated in the fitting recess 83. And a urging member 86 that urges the lock member 85 toward the contact position P1.

  The lock member 85 is disposed in an arrangement space S2 that is formed by being partitioned by the recess side wall 90 in front of the recess main body 82 (fitting recess 83). The lock member 85 includes a lock body 85a formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a lock flange portion 85b protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the lock body 85a, and a base end surface (front end surface) of the lock body 85a forward. And a guide rod 85c extending toward the outside.

  The front end (rear end) of the lock body 85a protrudes from the lock opening 90a formed through the recess side wall 90 so as to face the upper side of the fitting recess 83. An inclined surface 85d is formed on the top end of the lock body 85a so as to become narrower toward the tip. The lock flange portion 85b is provided at a substantially intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the lock body 85a, and is located inside the arrangement space S2. The guide rod 85c is provided so as to be able to be inserted into a guide hole 91a opened in the apparatus side wall 91 that constitutes the front surface of the arrangement space S2.

  The urging member 86 is a so-called coil spring and is wound around the guide rod 85 c and provided between the lock main body 85 a and the apparatus side wall 91. Thereby, the urging member 86 urges the lock member 85 rearward with the device side wall 91 as the pedestal. Note that the lock flange portion 85b is in contact with the concave side wall 90 in a state of being biased by the biasing member 86, so that the lock member 85 does not come out of the arrangement space S2. The guide rod 85c guides the forward / backward movement of the lock member 85 in the front-rear direction.

  An unlocking protrusion 87 projects upward from the base end (front end) of the lock body 85a. On the upper plate 2 a of the apparatus main body 2, a lock release hole 88 is opened at a position corresponding to the lock release protrusion 87.

  Similarly to the first embodiment described above, the space between the pair of left and right mounting portions 81 and the platen glass 21 is narrowed in the left-right direction from the platen glass 21 toward the mounting portion 81. A pair of left and right guide members 52 extending in this manner are projected (see FIG. 10).

  Next, a procedure for attaching the document cover 33 with the hinge devices 70 mounted to the apparatus main body 2 will be described. Here, it is assumed that each hinge device 70 is attached to the document cover 33. Hereinafter, description will be given focusing on one hinge device 70.

  In order to mount the hinge device 70 to the mounting portion 81, first, as shown in FIG. 8, the angle formed by the support member 71 and the mounting member 72 of the hinge device 70 is set to approximately 60 °. That is, the hinge device 70 is rotated so that the document cover 33 is opened.

  In this state, the operator places the document cover 33 (including the automatic document feeder 5) with the hinge devices 70 mounted on the platen glass 21 from the front of the apparatus body 2. At this time, the operator holds the document cover 33 in a posture in which the document cover 33 is inclined downward toward the rear, and makes the roller 73 a provided on the arm portion 78 of the hinge device 70 contact the platen glass 21. The roller 73a may be placed at an arbitrary position in the front-rear direction on the platen glass 21. At this time, it is preferable to place the hinge device 70 and the mounting portion 81 at a position where they substantially coincide with each other in a front view.

  Subsequently, when the document cover 33 is moved backward from this state, the roller 73a moves while rolling on the platen glass 21, and the arm portion 78 of the hinge device 70 is located between the pair of left and right guide members 52. enter in. The arm portion 78 of the hinge device 70 moves to the vicinity of the front side of the mounting portion 81 while being guided by the pair of left and right guide members 52. At this point, the alignment of the document cover 33 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 is substantially completed.

  From this state, the operator fits the mounting member 72 of the hinge device 70 into the mounting portion 81. At this time, the operator moves the roller 73 a to the mounting portion 81 and lowers the hinge device 70 toward the mounting portion 81. Then, the roller 73a contacts the inclined surface 85d of the lock body 85a. As the hinge device 70 descends, the roller 73a relatively pushes on the inclined surface 85d while pushing the lock member 85 (lock body 85a) at the contact position P1 forward against the urging force of the urging member 86. Move downward.

  When the lowering of the hinge device 70 further proceeds, the roller 73a is accommodated in the fitting recess 83, and the attachment member 72 (mainly the arm portion 78) is accommodated in the recess body 82. In this state, the lock member 85 is moved to the contact position P <b> 1 by the biasing force of the biasing member 86 and is in contact with the roller 73 a accommodated in the fitting recess 83. Thereby, the hinge apparatus 70 (attachment member 72) is temporarily fixed to the mounting part 81 (refer FIG. 11).

  Subsequently, the operator passes the screw B through the fixing hole 72 a formed in the bottom portion of the mounting member 72, and screws the screw B into the screw hole 82 a formed in the concave body 82. Thus, the attachment of the document cover 33 to the apparatus main body 2 is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a procedure for detaching (dismounting) the document cover 33 with the hinge devices 70 attached thereto from the apparatus main body 2 will be briefly described. First, after removing the screw B, the operator inserts a jig such as a thin pin (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 12) into the unlocking hole 88 and engages with the unlocking projection 87, and then the locking member 85 is It moves forward against the urging force of the urging member 86. That is, the operator displaces the lock member 85 from the contact position P1 to the separation position P2. In this state, the operator lifts the document cover 33, detaches the attachment member 72 from the concave body 82, and detaches the roller 73 a from the fitting concave portion 83. Then, while rolling the roller 73a on the platen glass 21, the document cover 33 is moved forward, and is moved from the platen glass 21 to another place (for example, the floor on which the multifunction machine 1 is installed). Thus, the removal of the document cover 33 from the apparatus main body 2 is completed.

  According to the hinge device 70 according to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the hinge device 36 according to the first embodiment. Further, according to the attachment structure of the document cover 33 according to the second embodiment, the movement assisting member 73 (roller 73a) accommodated in the fitting recess 83 is detached by the lock member 85 urged by the urging member 86. It is held in a regulated state. Thereby, the mounting state of the hinge device 70 (document cover 33) with respect to the mounting portion 81 can be maintained.

  In the hinge device 70 according to the second embodiment, the cylindrical (columnar) roller 73a is used as the movement assisting member 73, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a substantially barrel-shaped roller or a spherical ball may be used. A so-called ball caster in which the ball can rotate in all directions on a plane may be used. Further, instead of the roller 73a, the low friction member 61a may be provided on the attachment member 72 in the same manner as the hinge device 60 according to the first modification of the first embodiment.

  The hinge devices 36, 60, 63, 70 according to the respective embodiments (including modifications) are provided as a pair in the left-right direction with respect to the document cover 33 (or the upper plate 2a of the device body 2). The number of the hinge devices 36, 60, 63, and 70 is arbitrary. For example, the hinge devices 36, 60, 63, 70 may be provided only at one place where the weight balance is balanced, and, for example, the first embodiment (including the first modified example) or the first in one of the left and right pairs. Other hinge devices may be used in which the hinge devices 36, 60, and 70 according to the second embodiment are used, and the separation regulating member 49 and the assist mechanism 45 (second modified example) are omitted.

  The above description of the embodiment of the present invention describes a preferred embodiment of the multi-function machine 1 having the hinge device 36, 60, 63, 70 and the document cover 33 mounting structure according to the present invention. Therefore, various technically preferable limitations may be given, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description that particularly limits the present invention. Furthermore, the components in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be appropriately replaced with existing components and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing components are possible. The description of the embodiment of the present invention described above does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

1 MFP (image forming device)
2 Device body (housing)
21 Platen glass (document placement surface)
33 Document cover (original presser)
36, 60, 63, 70 Hinge device 37, 64, 71 Support member 38, 65, 72 Mounting member 39, 61, 73 Movement assisting member 39a Ball (rotating body)
51 Plug-in mounting part (mounting part)
52 Guide member 61a Low friction member (sliding contact)
73a Roller (rotating body)
81 Mounting portion 83 Fitting recess 85 Lock member 86 Biasing member P1 Contact position P2 Separation position

Claims (5)

A hinge device that supports a document presser that presses a document against a document placement surface provided in a housing so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement surface.
A support member provided on the document presser;
One end part is rotatably connected to the support member, and the attachment member is detachably provided on the housing;
A hinge device, comprising: a movement auxiliary member that is rotatably provided at the other end of the attachment member and includes a rotating body that can roll on the document placement surface. A hinge device that supports a document presser that presses a document against a document placement surface provided in a housing so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement surface.
A support member provided on the document presser;
One end part is rotatably connected to the support member, and the attachment member is detachably provided on the housing;
And a movement assisting member configured to include a sliding contact body that is provided at the other end portion of the attachment member and is slidable on the document placement surface. A document presser attachment structure for pressing a document against a document placement surface provided in a housing,
The hinge device according to claim 1 or 2,
A mounting portion that is formed on the housing and on which the mounting member of the hinge device is mounted;
A pair of guide members projecting on the housing so as to guide the mounting member toward the mounting portion,
The document presser mounting structure, wherein the pair of guide members are extended from the document placement surface toward the mounting portion so that a distance between the pair of guide members decreases. The mounting part is
A fitting recess that is recessed in the housing and accommodates the movement assisting member;
A lock member that is displaceable between a contact position that regulates the detachment of the movement assisting member accommodated in the fitting recess and a separation position that permits the detachment of the movement assisting member accommodated in the fitting recess. When,
The document pressing attachment structure according to claim 3, further comprising an urging member that urges the lock member toward the contact position.   An image forming apparatus comprising the document presser mounting structure according to claim 3.

Images