# US 8,570,618 B2 · Image scanning apparatus

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- Number: US 8,570,618 B2
- Document ID: US8570618B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/316,594
- Filed: 2011-12-12
- Published: 2012-07-12
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2011-01-12
- Assignees: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
- Applicants: Satoshi Washida
- Inventors: Satoshi Washida
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8570618B2

## CPC

- H04N 1/103: {by engaging a rail}
- H04N 1/00557: {Connection or assembly of components or elements (H04N1/00538 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/1017: {the main-scanning components remaining positionally invariant with respect to one another in the sub-scanning direction}
- H04N 1/1039: {Movement of the main scanning components}
- H04N 1/193: using electrically scanned linear arrays {, e.g. linear CCD arrays}
- H04N 2201/0448: for positioning scanning elements not otherwise provided for; Aligning, e.g. using an alignment calibration pattern
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

In an image scanning apparatus, a carriage includes a slide block arranged to be guided by a guide rail, and a carriage main body arranged to be mounted onto the slide block. The slide block is mounted on the guide rail in either a standard position or an adjusting position. When the slide block being is in the standard position, the carriage main body is positioned relative to the slide block. When the slide block is in the adjusting position, the angle of the carriage main body can be adjusted relative to the guide rail by swinging the carriage main body relative to the slide block upon a fulcrum pin.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image scanning apparatus comprising:
a platen;
a scanning unit including an image sensor and a carriage arranged to support the image sensor to scan an original document;
a guide rail arranged to movably support the scanning unit along a vertical scanning direction; and
a driving structure arranged to move the scanning unit alone the guide rail; wherein
the carriage includes a slide block arranged to be guided by the guide rail and a carriage main body arranged to be mounted onto the slide block so that an angle adjustment mechanism is provided between the slide block and the carriage main body to adjust an angle of the carriage main body relative to the guide rail;
the angle adjusting mechanism includes a fulcrum pin which is provided on either of the slide block or the carriage main body to rotatably support the carriage main body;
a fastening structure is arranged to fix the carriage main body to the slide block with any angle around the fulcrum pin;
the slide block is mounted on the guide rail in a standard position or an adjusting position in which the slide block is inverted by 180 degrees;
when the slide block is in the standard position, the carriage main body is positioned on the slide block with a positioning structure provided between the slide block and the carriage main body; and
when the slide block is in the adjusting position, the angle of the carriage main body is adjusted by swinging the carriage main body relative to the slide block upon the fulcrum pin.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image scanning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only one fulcrum pin is provided on either of the slide block or the carriage main body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The image scanning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein on either of the slide block or the carriage main body, the fulcrum pin and the positioning pin are provided, and on the other of the slide block or the carriage main body, a fulcrum hole corresponding to the fulcrum pin, two positioning holes and an adjusting hole corresponding to the positioning pin are provided;
the fulcrum pin and the positioning pin are arranged such that the fastening structure is located therebetween;
when the slide block is in the standard position, the positioning pin and the fulcrum pin are fitted into the positioning holes to position the carriage main body; and
when the slide block is in the adjusting position, the fulcrum pin is fitted into the fulcrum hole and the positioning pin is inserted into the adjusting hole to adjust the angle of the carriage main body within a range of the adjusting hole.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The image scanning apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein on one of the slide block or the carriage main body, the fulcrum pin and first and second positioning pins are provided, and on the other of the slide block or the carriage main body, a fulcrum hole corresponding to the fulcrum pin, two positioning holes and two adjusting holes corresponding to each of the positioning pins are provided;
the fulcrum pin and the first positioning pin are provided on one of the sides with the fastening structure located therebetween;
the second pin is provided on the other one of the sides;
when the slide block is in the standard position, each of the positioning pins is fitted into the positioning hole to position the carriage main body; and
when the slide block is in the adjusting position, the fulcrum pin is fitted into the fulcrum hole and each of the positioning pins is inserted into the adjusting hole to adjust the angle of the carriage main body within a range of the adjusting hole.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The image scanning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein between the fulcrum pin and the positioning pin, the fulcrum pin is positioned at a location that is farthest away from the fastening structure.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The image scanning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fulcrum pin is integrally formed with the slide block.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The image scanning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the positioning pin is integrally formed with the slide block.