US5621501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opening-closing mechanism for an automatic original feeding apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-21
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Granted: 1997-04-15
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Expires: 2014-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An original pressing device for use in a reading apparatus. There is a hinge together with a pressing unit supported pivotably by the hinge and pivoting between a closing position where an original on a platen is pressed and an opening position where the original is released. A coil spring is compressed with the closing operation of the pressing unit and is released from the compression along with the opening operation of the pressing unit, and a fluid damper is arranged within a hollow portion of the coil spring to provide a resistance force when the pressing unit performs the closing operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Matsuo
- 👤 Noriyoshi Ueda
- 👤 Masakazu Hiroi
- 👤 Tomohito Nakagawa
- 👤 Wataru Kawata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:59
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/60; G03G15/605
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An original pressing device in a reading apparatus, said device comprising: hinge means; pressing means supported pivotably by said hinge means and pivoting between a closing position where an original on a platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released: a coil spring compressed with a closing operation of said pressing means and released from the compression with an opening operation of said pressing means; and a fluid damper arranged within a hollow position of said coil spring and providing a resistance force when said pressing means performs closing operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An original pressing device in a reading apparatus, said device comprising: hinge means; pressing means supported pivotably by said hinge means and pivoting between a closing position where an original on a platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released: a coil spring compressed with a closing operation of said pressing means and released from the compression with an opening operation of said pressing means; and a fluid damper arranged within a hollow position of said coil spring and providing a resistance force when said pressing means performs closing operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said pressing means has original feeding means for conveying the original to the original platen glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluid damper creates the resistance force just before the closing operation of said pressing means is completed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein a damper slider is adapted to be pressed when the coil spring is compressed to less than a predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: hinge means: pressing means supported pivotably by said hinge means and pivoting between a closing position where an original on a platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released: a coil spring compressed with a closing operation of said pressing means and released from the compression with an opening operation of said pressing means; a fluid damper arranged within a hollow position of said coil spring and providing a resistance force when said pressing means performs closing operation; and image forming means for forming a read image of the original on a sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: hinge means: pressing means supported pivotably by said hinge means and pivoting between a closing position where an original on a platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released: a coil spring compressed with a closing operation of said pressing means and released from the compression with an opening operation of said pressing means; a fluid damper arranged within a hollow position of said coil spring and providing a resistance force when said pressing means performs closing operation; and image forming means for forming a read image of the original on a sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said pressing means has original feeding means for conveying the original to the original platen glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said fluid damper creates the resistance force just before the closing operation of said pressing means is completed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein a damper slider is adapted to be pressed when the coil spring is compressed to less than a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
An original pressing device in a reading apparatus, said device comprising: hinge means; a holder supported pivotably by said hinge means through a first shaft: pressing means supported pivotably by said holder through a second shaft and pivoting together with said holder through said first shaft between a closing position where an original on platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released; first resilience means expanding and contracting with the opening and closing operations of said holder and said pressing means; second resilience means for exerting a pivotable force onto said pressing means around said second shaft as an axis in a direction toward said holder; a first leg portion formed at said pressing means between said first and second shafts; and a second leg portion being in a direction apart from said first shaft with bordering on said second shall and formed at said pressing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
An original pressing device in a reading apparatus, said device comprising: hinge means; a holder supported pivotably by said hinge means through a first shaft: pressing means supported pivotably by said holder through a second shaft and pivoting together with said holder through said first shaft between a closing position where an original on platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released; first resilience means expanding and contracting with the opening and closing operations of said holder and said pressing means; second resilience means for exerting a pivotable force onto said pressing means around said second shaft as an axis in a direction toward said holder; a first leg portion formed at said pressing means between said first and second shafts; and a second leg portion being in a direction apart from said first shaft with bordering on said second shall and formed at said pressing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said pressing means has original feeding means for conveying the original to the original platen glass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said holder is covered by a cover of said pressing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said first resilience means exerts a three in a releasing direction onto said pressing means, the three being weak when released and strong when in the closing position, and the force of the first resilience means and a dead weight of the pressing means balancing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the leg portions are four in total.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said first leg portion is in a position near the first shaft and apart from the platen glass, and said second leg portion is in a position apart from the first and second shafts and opposite to the platen glass.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
159 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: hinge means: a holder supported pivotably by said hinge means through a first shaft: pressing means supported pivotably by said holder through a second shaft and pivoting together with said holder through said first shaft between a closing position where an original on platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released; first resilience means expanding and contracting with the opening and closing operations of said holder and said pressing means: second resilience means for exerting a pivotable force onto said pressing means around said second shaft as an axis in a direction toward said holder; a first leg portion formed at said pressing means between said first and second shafts; a second leg portion being in a direction apart from said first shaft with bordering on said second shaft and formed at said pressing means; and image forming means for forming read image of the original on a sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
159 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: hinge means: a holder supported pivotably by said hinge means through a first shaft: pressing means supported pivotably by said holder through a second shaft and pivoting together with said holder through said first shaft between a closing position where an original on platen glass is pressed and an opening position where the original is released; first resilience means expanding and contracting with the opening and closing operations of said holder and said pressing means: second resilience means for exerting a pivotable force onto said pressing means around said second shaft as an axis in a direction toward said holder; a first leg portion formed at said pressing means between said first and second shafts; a second leg portion being in a direction apart from said first shaft with bordering on said second shaft and formed at said pressing means; and image forming means for forming read image of the original on a sheet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said pressing means has original feeding means for conveying the original to the original platen glass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said holder is covered by a cover of said pressing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said first resilience means exerts a force in a releasing direction onto said pressing means, the force being weak when released and strong when in the closing position, and the force of the first resilience means and a dead weight of the pressing means balancing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein the leg portions are four in total.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said first leg portion is in a position near the first shaft and apart from the platen glass, and said second leg portion is in a position apart from the first and second shafts and opposite to the platen glass.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-14 | 2000-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-14 | 2004-10-14 | 2005-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-14 | 2008-10-14 | 2009-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |