Hinge apparatus for cover of image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a main body having a document glass on which a document is placed;
• a scanner cover to open and close an upper side of the document glass;
• and
• a hinge apparatus pivotably supporting the scanner cover to the main body,
• wherein the hinge apparatus comprises:
• a hinge body inserted into a coupling hole provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge body movable in an up and down direction in the coupling hole, the hinge body including a housing chamber having an upper side opening, and a pair of supporting brackets provided adjacent to the upper side opening;
• a hinge cam of which a portion is coupled to the scanner cover, and of which another portion is rotatably coupled to the supporting brackets of the hinge body;
• and
• a pressure device comprising a pusher disposed to slide in the housing chamber of the hinge body, a pressure spring applying pressure to the pusher such that an upper surface of the pusher is in contact with a facing surface of the hinge cam,
• wherein a locking protrusion protrudes from the pusher so as to prevent the release of the pusher from the housing chamber, the locking protrusion slidably engaging with a guide slot formed on the hinge body, the guide slot restricting an up and down sliding movement of the locking protrusion.

A hinge apparatus to open and close a cover of an image forming apparatus, which pivotally connects the cover to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge apparatus comprising:

• a hinge body comprising a housing chamber and supporting brackets;
• a hinge cam, coupled to the cover, pivotably connected to the supporting brackets;
• and
• a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam, said pressure device comprising:
• a pusher comprising a guide member, disposed in the housing chamber;
• and
• a spring disposed in the housing chamber to press the pusher, wherein the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pusher.

A hinge apparatus to open and close a cover of an image forming apparatus, which pivotally connects the cover to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge apparatus comprising:

• a hinge body comprising a housing chamber and supporting brackets;
• a hinge cam, coupled to the cover, pivotably connected to the supporting brackets;
• and
• a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam, said pressure device comprising:
• a pusher comprising a guide member, disposed in the housing chamber;
• and
• a spring disposed in the housing chamber to press the pusher, wherein the hinge body is provided with a receiving member corresponding to the guide member to guide a movement of the pusher,
• wherein the hinge cam has a hinge shaft, and a center of rotation of the hinge shaft is offset by a predetermined distance from a line along a center of the pressure device.