Copying apparatus cover

Claim 1

A cover and original document keep device for copying apparatus having a housing and platen surface comprising: (A) a vertically movable support structure having an elongated support member incorporating a plurality of positioning rods extending downwardly therefrom, (B) means forming positioning holes in the copying apparatus housing, the positioning rods being slidingly engaged within the positioning holes thereby providing vertical sliding mobility to the support structure; (C) an L-shaped cover frame comprising two elongated arms, one arm being longitudinally pivotally mounted by a first hinge means to the support structure, the other arm extending outwardly at an angle therefrom; (D) a rigid cover pivotally mounted by a second hinge means to the outwardly extending arm of the L-shaped cover frame; and (E) holding means for independently and releasably securing the rigid cover to the longitudinally pivotally mounted arm of the L-shaped cover frame and alternatively releasably securing the outwardly extending arm of the L-shaped cover frame to the copying apparatus surface, comprising easily attachable and detachable fasteners, thereby allowing selection of pivotal operation about either pivotal axis of the first hinge means or the second hinge means and eliminating any pivotal operation about the unselected axis, whereby selection of pivotal operation about either pivotal axis of the first hinge means or the second hinge means permits accommodation of thin original documents, and whereby selection of pivotal operation about the pivotal axis of the first hinge means coupled with a rocking levered lowering movement of the rigid cover over a thick original document on the platen causes vertical sliding elevation of the support structure, allowing accommodation for thick original documents while still allowing the user to maintain the rigid cover in substantially parallel alignment with the platen surface, thereby providing effective user radiation protection.