Electrophotography – Document handling – Original
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-09
2001-05-15
Chen, Sophia S. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Document handling
Original
C355S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233426
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cover assembly and in particular relates to an articulated cover assembly for an image processing system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
An image processing system comprises scanning and copying apparatuses. The scanning apparatus, such as a scanner, is becoming increasingly popular among the computer peripheral equipment in recent years. The scanner includes an image pick-up device, a feed-in device, and a driving device. The image pick-up device usually takes a contact image sensor (CIS) which includes a light source, and the intensity of light source is not great, thus how to prevent the light from escaping in order to get the better image is an important problem.
The type of cover assembly has a close relationship to this problem. It has been found that if the cover assembly of scanner can be made to remain parallel with the platen surface regardless of the thickness of the document to be scanned, the most effective position for preventing the light from escaping is provided.
When the document is thin, almost all cover members of various cover assembly types lie flat against the platen to prevent the light from escaping. Referring to FIG.
1
A and
FIG. 1B
, when the thin document is replaced by a thick document
2
such as a book, the cover assembly
4
which is hinged with only one pivot along an edge cannot be moved to remain parallel with the platen, allowing the reflected light from the cover assembly
4
to escape, the thickness of the document
2
preventing such disposition.
FIG.2
shows the other type of the cover assembly. The cover assembly
6
comprising a rigid cover member
8
and a support portion
10
. The rigid cover member
8
can pivot about a hinging means
12
. The support portion
10
incorporating a plurality of rods
14
is vertically slidingly engaged within holes
16
formed in the scanner housing
18
. Accommodation of various document thickness is provided by vertical sliding movement of the support portion
10
. Although the cover assembly
6
can accommodate any thickness of the document, friction between the rods
14
and the holes
16
hinders the vertical sliding movement of the support portion
10
.
It is, therefore, important to provide a cover assembly that can accommodate various thickness of documents ranging from a signal sheet to a thick book and can be operated easily.
The cover assembly also can be applied to the copying apparatus, such as a copier, usually has a higher energy exposure source for improving the quality of copies made from a given original. The higher energy exposure source will emit higher levels of ultraviolet or visible radiation. The cover assembly can provide adequate protection for the user's eyes in order to avoid the possibility of harmful effects resulting from the radiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a low cost, few elements, and easily operated rigid cover assembly. The elements included in the cover assembly are easy to connect.
The cover assembly in the present invention can be made to remain parallel with a platen surface regardless of the thickness of the document.
In one embodiment, a rigid cover member is pivotally mounted on extending legs thereof to two links that in turn are pivotally mounted to two recessed regions. The recessed regions formed on a projecting region of housing body in an image processing system.
The engagement of two top portions of two links and two flat areas on a rear wall of the rigid cover member stops the cover member from pivoting toward the back of the link.
The pivoting links allow the cover member to remain substantially parallel with the platen regardless of the thickness of the document to be scanned or copied, thereby preventing the light escaping or the radiation reaching the user's eyes.
As the cover member assumes a parallel disposition relative to the platen, a starter will be detected by a starting device included in the housing body and the image processing system has to get ready for image processing.
In an alternate embodiment, one end of each link that has a first rib is pivotally mounted to a recessed region of a housing body and an opposed edge of the link is pivotally mounted to extending legs of a main lid that has a second rib. The links and the main lid rotate together for covering a thin document and can rotate respectively for covering a thick document, whereby the revolution of the main lid can make itself to remain substantially parallel with a platen in order to accommodate various thicknesses of documents for image processing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5541712 (1996-07-01), Fujitaka et al.
patent: 5812285 (1998-09-01), Lin et al.
patent: 6006064 (1999-12-01), Hashimoto
patent: 6-332282 (1994-12-01), None
Chang Danny
Lee Jerring
Chen Sophia S.
Mustek Systems Inc.
LandOfFree
Cover assembly for an image processing system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cover assembly for an image processing system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cover assembly for an image processing system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2458820