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US 10,382,636 B2Granted
Image reading apparatus
AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorKatsuro Miura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a hinge connected to the reading unit, and a cover connected to the hinge. The image reading apparatus further includes a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to a particular gear of the hinge, as a planet gear engages with the particular gear during movement of the cover from an open position to a closed position.
Claims14
An image reading apparatus comprising:
- a reading unit including a support surface and a reading sensor;
- a hinge having a pivot axis, the hinge being connected to the reading unit;
- and
- a cover connected to the hinge, the cover configured to pivot about the pivot axis between a closed position in which the cover covers the support surface, and an open position in which the cover reveals the support surface;
- wherein the hinge comprises:
- a base member supported by the reading unit;
- a pivot member supported by the base member pivotally about the pivot axis, the pivot member coupled to the cover;
- a first gear configured to pivot about a first axis in a first direction based on pivoting of the cover from the closed position toward the open position and configured to pivot about the first axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction based on pivoting of the cover from the open position toward the closed position;
- a second gear;
- a support portion that supports the second gear to allow the second gear to pivot about a second axis parallel to the first axis;
- an arm configured to pivot about the first axis;
- a planet gear rotatably supported by the arm and engaged with the first gear, wherein the planet gear is configured to pivot in the first direction to a disengaged position in which the planet gear is disengaged from the second gear and to pivot in the second direction to an engaged position in which the planet gear is engaged with the second gear;
- and
- a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to the second gear, as the planet gear engages with the second gear during movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.
11 more elements
An image reading apparatus comprising:
- a reading unit including a support surface and a reading sensor;
- a hinge having a pivot axis, the hinge being connected to the reading unit;
- and
- a cover connected to the hinge, the cover configured to pivot about the pivot axis between a closed position in which the cover covers the support surface, and an open position in which the cover reveals the support surface;
- wherein the hinge comprises:
- a base member supported by the reading unit;
- a pivot member supported by the base member pivotally about the pivot axis, the pivot member coupled to the cover;
- a first gear configured to pivot about a first axis in a first direction based on pivoting of the cover from the closed position toward the open position and configured to pivot about the first axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction based on pivoting of the cover from the open position toward the closed position;
- a second gear;
- a support portion that supports the second gear to allow the second gear to pivot about a second axis parallel to the first axis;
- an arm configured to pivot about the first axis;
- a planet gear rotatably supported by the arm and engaged with the first gear, the planet gear being engagable with the second gear;
- and
- a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to the second gear, as the planet gear engages with the second gear during movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.