Multi-function machine having multifunctional cover

Electrophotography – Having particular structure – Modular or displaceable

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C399S013000, C399S124000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06807392

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-function machine, and more particularly, to a multi-function machine having a multifunctional cover with a multi-function to control a proper operation of a plurality of devices installed in a main body of the multi-function machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
As office automation machines such as printers, copiers, scanners, and facsimiles are currently widespread, high-performance products are developed to expand original functions of these machines. As a result, a method of using the office automation machines becomes complicated, production cost goes up, and the office automation machines become high-priced pieces of equipment. Due to this, independent office automation machines have been combined into one machine to provide for a multi-function machine, which is economical and simple to use.
The multi-function machine has a structure in which a printer is combined with a facsimile machine. Thus, the multi-function machine has a printing device and a scanning device which copies a desired portion of an original through scanning. Also, the multi-function machine has an information transmission device, such as a modem, which stores and transceives data. Therefore, the multi-function machine is a single unit serving as a scanner and a copier as well as a printer and a facsimile machine.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional office automation machine. Referring to
FIG. 1
, the office automation machine includes a main body
100
, a multifunctional cover
200
, a hook
220
, and a protrusion
240
. The multifunctional cover
200
is hinged to a bottom tip of the main body
100
and is to be opened from and closed toward the main body
100
using a hinge
120
. The hook
220
is installed at one side of the multifunctional cover
200
so that it is joined with a knob
140
mounted at the main body
100
when the multifunctional cover
200
is closed toward the main body
100
. The protrusion
240
, which is installed at a portion of an inner surface of the multifunctional cover
200
, turns off a switch
160
installed at the main body when the multifunctional cover
200
is opened from the main body
100
and turns on the switch
160
when the multifunctional cover
200
is closed toward the main body
100
.
In the above-described configuration, the protrusion
240
is separated from the switch
160
when the multifunctional cover
200
is opened from the main body
100
. Then, a supply of power to the main body
100
is cut off, and an operation of the multi-function machine stops. A device (not shown) installed in the main body
100
is therefore exposed so that it is replaced or repaired.
When the multifunctional cover
200
is closed toward the main body
100
, the protrusion
240
is joined with the switch
160
. Then, the main body
100
is supplied with power, and thus the device (not shown) installed therein is ready to operate.
As described above, the multifunctional cover
200
of the conventional office automation machine simply protects devices or parts therein. Also, power is cut off or supplied when the multifunctional cover
200
is opened from and closed toward the main body
100
. Thus, additional devices are required to check whether or not devices in the main body
100
function properly. As a result, the conventional office automation machine is complicated and its cost becomes expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function machine having a multifunctional cover to perform a function of checking whether or not devices in a main body operate properly as well as a function of supplying or cutting off power.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a multi-function machine having a multifunctional cover with a power cutoff to cut off power of a main body when the multifunctional cover is opened from the main body and to supply the main body with power when the multifunctional cover is closed toward the main body to protect internal devices. The multifunctional cover, which is installed at a predetermined position facing the main body, includes a jam removal lever position checking portion, a toner container locking lever position checking portion, a shutter switch, and a side cover bracket. The jam removal lever position checking portion interferes with a jam removal lever installed in the main body to check whether the jam removal lever is properly positioned. The toner container locking lever position checking portion, which is adjacent to the jam removal lever position checking portion, interferes with a toner container locking lever installed in the main body to check whether a toner container is properly fixed. The shutter switch, which is adjacent to the toner container locking lever position checking portion, opens and closes a shutter to control a flow of remaining toner collected by a developer roller after being developed, into the toner container. The side cover bracket, which is installed at a predetermined position of the multifunctional cover facing the main body, interferes with a side cover bracket installed at the main body to control joining a side cover with the main body.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4739367 (1988-04-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 4903076 (1990-02-01), Sakakibara
patent: 5134443 (1992-07-01), Sumi et al.
patent: 5398098 (1995-03-01), Fukunaga et al.
patent: 6075958 (2000-06-01), Gotoh et al.
patent: 6091912 (2000-07-01), Kitajima et al.
patent: 6104897 (2000-08-01), Ishizawa
patent: 6125251 (2000-09-01), Shiraishi et al.
patent: 6324351 (2001-11-01), Kurimoto et al.
patent: 2002/0041775 (2002-04-01), Ishii

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