JPH07177273A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a facsimile equipment which is reducible in misoperation without spoiling the outward appearance. CONSTITUTION:Various operation keys 21 are provided on the top surface of a panel 3, and a cover 25 is provided with subordinate operation keys 27 facing speech function keys 21 that are high in use frequency among operation keys of the panel 3 when the cover is closed. Consequently, the cover 25 is normally closed to shield the speech function keys 21, keys dedicated to the facsimile function, etc. At this time, even when the respective keys 21, 23, and 24 are covered with the cover 25, the subordinate operation keys 27 of key rubber 26 face the speech function keys 21 which are high in use frequency, so the speech function keys 21 can be pressed even while the cover 25 is closed. Consequently, when a telephone call is made, the cover 25 is closed and then a user never operates a facsimile function key by mistake.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, facsimile machines have been mainly used for business purposes, but have become widespread in general households and the like in the past few years. In general households and the like, communication between individuals is mainly performed, so that a small-sized personal facsimile apparatus that does not take up much space is often used. In recent years, personal facsimile machines have been equipped with the same functions as large facsimile machines. For example, the copy function,
It has a one-touch dialing function to call the fax number of the other party with one touch, a mode setting function to set the image of the original to be sent, and so on. The operation of each of these functions is performed by pressing an operation key arranged densely on the upper surface of the main body case.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus, since a large number of operation keys are arranged on the panel, the user may operate any key when making a call or transmitting an original. May be confused,
Sometimes I made a mistake. In addition, since a large number of operation keys are arranged on the panel in an exposed state, there is a problem that the user feels complicated and confused, and the appearance of the facsimile apparatus is impaired.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to maintain the appearance without damaging the appearance.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device capable of reducing operation mistakes.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a main body case having a reading section, a recording section and the like and having a plurality of operation keys on its upper surface, and the main body case can be opened and closed. And a cover for hiding the operation key when closed, and the cover is provided with a sub operation key that can operate the operation key even when closed.

[0006]

According to the above construction, when the cover is opened, the operation key of the main body case is pressed to activate the reading unit and the like built in the main body case. When the cover is closed, the cover hides the operation keys. When the cover is closed, the sub operation keys provided on the cover are activated instead of the operation keys on the main body case. That is,
When the cover is closed, only the sub operation key can be pressed.

For example, when the facsimile device is provided with a call function in addition to the fax function, the sub-operation key that is activated when the cover is closed has the same function as the frequently used numeric keypad provided on the main body case. Key.
Then, the cover is usually closed and the operation keys of the main body case are hidden by the cover. Therefore, in this case, the only keys exposed to the outside are the sub operation keys. As a result, it is possible to prevent accidentally pressing an operation key or the like dedicated to the facsimile function such as a one-touch key registered for exclusive use of the facsimile transmission when making a call, and maintain a good appearance.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a facsimile machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a metallic top frame 2 is supported on the upper portion of the main frame 1 by a shaft (not shown) so as to be openable and closable. A panel 3 made of synthetic resin is mounted on the upper surface of the top frame 2. Therefore, the panel 3 and the top frame 2 integrally open and close with respect to the main frame 1. A metal plate 1a is mounted on the lower surface of the main frame 1. In this embodiment, the main frame 1, the metal plate 1a, the top frame 2 and the panel 3 form a main body case.

A recording paper accommodating chamber 5 for accommodating the recording paper P in a roll shape is formed in a substantially central portion of the main frame 1. A thermal head 4 is mounted on the front rear surface of the top frame 2. At the position of the main frame 1 facing the lower surface of the thermal head 4, a platen roller 6 facing and facing the thermal head 4 is supported so as to be positively rotatable. In this embodiment, the thermal head 4, the platen roller 6 and the like form a recording unit. In the main frame 1 on the downstream side of the platen roller 6,
A paper guide 8 for guiding the recording paper P to the cutter 7 is arranged. At the front part of the main frame 1 and the panel 3, a discharge port 10 for discharging the recording paper P passing between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 6 and passing through the paper guide 8 and the cutter 7 is formed. There is.

A document insertion port 10 is formed in the rear portion of the main frame 1. On the downstream side of the document insertion port 10, a take-in roller 11 for taking the document into the main body case is supported so as to be positively rotatable. The separation pad 12 is forcedly contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller 11 by the urging force of the pusher 14. An image sensor 16 is mounted via a bracket 15 on the downstream side from the contact portion between the feeding roller 11 and the separation pad 12. The image sensor 16 includes the top frame 2
Platen roller 17 supported on the back of the table so that it can rotate positively
Are facing each other. In this embodiment, the image sensor 1
6 and the platen roller 17 form a reading unit. A document conveying passage 18 is formed on the downstream side of the contact portion between the image sensor 16 and the platen roller 17. A document discharge port 19 is provided on the downstream side of the document transport passage 18.
Are formed.

Documents are separated one by one from the document insertion port 10 by the cooperation action of the take-in roller 11 and the separation pad 12, and then taken in to the reading section side. Then, the document passes between the image sensor 16 and the platen roller 17, whereby the image data is read by the image sensor 16. After the image data is read, the document is discharged from the document discharge port 19 through the document transport passage 18. Also,
As shown in FIG. 3, a handset 13 is placed on the left side of the main frame 1. That is, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment has a call function in addition to the fax function.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the panel 3
At the front of the, there are the basic keys such as the keys to operate when playing or stopping the voice recorded in the answering machine, the keys to set up the answering machine, and the keys to start sending the original. The function key 20 is provided in an exposed state. Also, a plurality of call function keys 21 such as a ten-key pad, a redial key to be operated when redialing, and a hold key to be operated when a hold tone is generated during a call are exposed from the top surface of the panel 3 at approximately the center of the panel 3. It is provided in the state. A liquid crystal display panel 22 for displaying dial numbers and the like is provided on the panel 3 at the rear of the call function key 21.

Further, in FIG. 4, on the upper surface of the panel 3 on the left side of the call function key 21, a fax such as a copy key operated when making a copy and a mode setting key operated when setting a reading mode of an original is provided. The function-specific key 23 is provided in an exposed state. Further, on the upper surface of the panel 3 on the right side of the call function key 21 in the figure, a plurality of one-touch dial keys 24 for calling the registered telephone number or fax number of the destination with one touch.
Is provided in an exposed state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cover 25 is arranged on the upper surface of the panel 3, and the cover 25 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the panel 3 with its rear end as a center and detachable. There is. A key rubber 26 made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber is attached to the cover 25. The key rubber 26 is integrally formed with a sub operation key 27 corresponding to each call function key 21 formed on the panel 3 by injection molding. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, at four locations on the rear surface of the key rubber 26, projecting pieces 26a projecting slightly below the sub operation keys 27.
Are integrally formed. Each sub operation key 27 and the protruding piece 26a are exposed downward from a through hole 25a formed in the cover 25. Further, a window 28 having a plane rectangular shape facing the liquid crystal display panel 22 when the cover 25 is closed is formed in the cover 25 behind the key rubber 26.

When the cover 25 is closed, the protruding piece 26a of the key rubber 26 comes into contact with the position of the upper surface of the panel 3 where each key does not exist, and between the sub operation keys 27 and the call function key 21 of the panel 3. It is designed to secure a small clearance. When the cover 25 is closed, keys other than the call function key 21, that is, the fax function key 23 and the one-touch dial key 24 are used.
Is hidden by the cover 25 and cannot be pressed. Further, when the cover 25 is closed, the liquid crystal display panel 22 provided on the panel 3 is exposed through the window 28 of the cover 25. Then, when the cover 25 is closed, the sub operation key 27 is pressed to press the call function key 21.

As shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, when the cover 25 is opened, the cover 25 functions as a tray which is located behind the document insertion port 10 and on which a document is placed. Each sub operation key 27 of the key rubber 26 is
Call function key 21 facing itself when the cover 25 is closed
The same character as the character is printed. As a result, even when the cover 25 is closed, the call function keys 21 of the panel 3 existing under the respective sub operation keys 27 of the key rubber 26.
You can determine what is. That is, in this embodiment, the only keys that can be pressed when the cover 25 is closed are the basic function key 20 exposed on the front part of the panel 3 and the call function key 21 operated via the key rubber 26.

As described above, in this embodiment, various operation keys 21, 23 and 24 are provided on the upper surface of the panel 3 and the cover 2 is provided.
Reference numeral 5 indicates a sub operation key 2 that faces the frequently used call function key 21 among the operation keys on the panel 3 when closed.
7 is provided. As a result, normally, by closing the cover 25, the call function key 21, the fax function key 23, and the one-touch dial key 24 are hidden.

At this time, each key 21,
Even if 23 and 24 are hidden, since the sub operation key 27 of the key rubber 26 faces the frequently used call function key 21, the call function key 21 is pressed even when the cover 25 is closed. be able to. As a result, the user does not accidentally operate the fax function key by closing the cover 25 when making a call. The cover 25 is also used when sending originals.
This can be easily performed by pressing the start key of the basic function keys 20 exposed on the upper surface of the front portion of the panel 3 without opening the. Further, when the cover 25 is closed, the keys other than the sub-operation keys 27 are not exposed to the outside, so that the appearance is neat and the user does not feel a sense of complication or obscenity. When transmitting a plurality of originals, the cover 25 becomes a tray for placing originals by opening the cover 25 as shown in FIG. This eliminates the need to manually pick up the originals one by one.

As a configuration different from the above-mentioned embodiment, an opening hole is provided at a position of the cover 25 facing the call function key 21 of the panel 3 so that the call function key 21 is exposed from the opening hole when the cover 25 is closed. It is also possible to configure. However, in this case, since the call function key 21 has to be projected from the upper surface of the cover 25, the protrusion amount of the call function key 21 must be increased. Not only the call function key 21, but when the protrusion amount of the key is increased,
It gives a feeling of pressure to the user, and the appearance is also poor. Further, when the cover 25 is provided with the opening holes, the strength is lowered, and thus the cover 25 is easily deformed.

However, in this embodiment, the key rubber 26 having the sub operation key 27 is attached to the cover 25 and the key rubber 26 is projected downward, so that the key (call function key 21) on the panel 3 side is projected. The amount can be reduced. As a result, the strength of the cover 25 can be ensured, and the appearance of the facsimile apparatus can be favorably maintained without giving a feeling of pressure to the user. Further, since the protrusion amount of the call function key 21 can be reduced, the amount of dust attached to the outer peripheral surface of the call function key 21 can be reduced when the facsimile device is hung on a wall and used.
As a result, it is possible to prevent breakdown of the device.

Further, in this embodiment, the protruding piece 2 protruding downward from the sub operation key 27 is provided on the back surface of the key rubber 26.
By providing 6a, the clearance between the sub operation key 27 of the key rubber 26 and the call function key 21 of the panel 3 can be secured. Further, in this embodiment, the protruding piece 2
By forming 6a from an elastic material, it is possible to prevent the panel 3 from being damaged when the cover 25 is closed. It is conceivable to provide the protruding piece 26a on the panel 3 side, but since many keys are arranged on the upper surface of the panel 3, when the protruding piece 26a is provided on the upper surface of the panel 3, when the cover 25 is opened. It gives the user a feeling of complication. However, in this embodiment, since the protruding piece 26a is provided on the cover 25 side, such a problem does not occur.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be configured as follows, for example, within the scope of the invention. (1) The basic function key 20 provided on the front part of the panel 3 constituting the main body case is configured to be hidden by the cover 25 when the cover 25 is closed.

(2) When the cover 25 is closed, the sub operation key 2 of the key rubber 26 can be pressed so that a part of the fax function key 23 can be pressed in addition to the call function key 21.
To increase 7.

(3) To eliminate the window 28 formed in the cover 25. (4) The sub operation keys 27 should not be integrally formed, but should be embodied as independent structures.

(5) To be embodied in a facsimile machine having only a fax function.

[0027]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
The present invention has an excellent effect that the external appearance is not impaired, the external appearance is simple when the cover is closed, and the operation can be performed as it is without giving a feeling of pressure to the operator when making a call, thereby reducing operation mistakes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a facsimile apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side cross-sectional view of a facsimile device showing a relationship between a call function key and a sub operation key.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fax machine when the cover is closed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fax machine when the cover is opened.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main frame which comprises a main body case, 1a ... Metal plate which comprises a main body case, 2 ... Top frame which comprises a main body case, 3 ... Panel which comprises a main body case, 4 ... Thermal head which comprises a recording part, 6 ... platen roller that constitutes the recording unit, 16 ... image sensor that constitutes the reading unit, 17 ... platen roller that constitutes the reading unit, 21 ... call function key that constitutes operation keys, 23 ... fax function key that constitutes operation keys , 24 ... One-touch dial keys constituting operation keys, 25 ... Cover, 2
6 ... Key rubber constituting sub operation key, 27 ... Sub operation key

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A main body case having a reading unit, a recording unit and the like and having a plurality of operation keys on an upper surface thereof, and a cover which is openably and closably supported with respect to the main body case and conceals the operation keys when closed. A facsimile apparatus, wherein the cover is provided with a sub operation key that can be operated even when the cover is closed.