Mechanism for supporting an original document cover lid of an electrostatic copying apparatus

#The present invention relates to a mechanism for supporting a cover lid of the type movable between a closed position covering a surface of the machine frame and an open position spaced from the surface. The present invention particularly is directed to such a mechanism for supporting an original document cover lid of an electrostatic copying apparatus.

#In accordance with the present invention there is provided a mechanism whereby a cover lid, particularly an original document cover lid of an electrostatic copying apparatus, may be fixedly maintained in an open position of the cover lid.

#More particularly, the present invention provides such a mechanism including biasing structure to enable even a very heavy cover lid to be moved between open and closed positions thereof with only a relatively slight manual effort.

#A detailed description of the invention now will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrostatic copying apparatus incorporating the features of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the mechanism for supporting an original document cover lid shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrostatic copying apparatus according to this invention. A top machine frame 2 is provided with a transparent plate 4 for supporting thereon an original document to be copied. The machine frame 2 is equipped with an original document cover lid 6 which presses the original document upon the transparent plate 4. A copying paper feed device 8 which supplies a roll-like photosensitive copying paper is assembled into the machine frame 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1. This paper feed device 8 can be drawn out from the machine frame 2 in the rightward direction as viewed in FIG. 1. The length of copying paper discharged from the machine frame 2 upon completion of copying can be freely selected by sliding a knob 10, which projects from the front of the machine frame 2, manually in the lateral direction of the machine frame 2, and the length corresponds to the selected position of knob 10. The number of copies to be taken can be pre-set by two-digit display drums 12 and 14 provided in the upper front part of the machine frame 2. In a copying operation, first the number of copies is set by display drums 12 and 14, then a print button 16 is pressed. The contrast of picture appearing on the copying paper can be adjusted by a rotatable knob 18. If the copying paper jams within a apparatus, the jamming alarm lamp 19 will light up.

#The present invention particularly is directed to a mechanism for supporting original document cover lid 6.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the original document cover lid 6; FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line IV--IV of FIG. 3. The electrostatic copying apparatus 801 is designed to move part of a optical device (not shown) horizontally in the crosswise direction of the copying apparatus (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2) to transfer the image of the original onto the moving paper through slit exposure. Above the machine frame 2 is installed the transparent plate 4 to support the original document. Beneath the transparent plate 4 is provided a part of the movable optical device. The original document put on the transparent plate 4 is covered with the original document cover lid 6 made of, e.g., rubber, which is supported by a support member 805. This support member 805 is attached to hinges 807 and 808 provided at the end of the rear side (the left side in FIG. 2) of the machine frame 2. Thus, the support member 805 can be moved to an open position, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, by revolving upwards from the transparent plate 4 within the range of a revolving angle .alpha., for instance, 45 degrees.