Brother Kogyo Kabushiki-kaisha

Teruo Deshimaru

Kazuhito Ishida

Tetsuo Asada

Takashi Ohama

Yukichi Sawaki

Takahiro Ikeno

Tomohisa Higuchi

Tatsuya Sato

Takamitsu Kawai

Hiroyuki Kato

Mamoru Namba

Ryohei Suzuki

Toshiki Morita

An operation device includes a rotatable operation panel and a tilt mechanism including a recessed groove and pawl member capable of engaging with the recessed groove and an urging member configured to elastically urge the pawl member. In the engaging state, the pawl member contacts with the recessed groove at a first position and a second position. A relationship 0&#xb0;&#x3c;&#x3b8;&#x3c;90&#xb0; is satisfied, where, in cross-section orthogonal to the rotation axis, an angle &#x3b8;is defined between: a first imaginary line connecting the first position and a rotation axis; and a second imaginary line along an inclined surface of the first position side in the recessed groove, and an angle &#x3b8;is defined between: a third imaginary line connecting the second position and the rotation axis; and a fourth imaginary line along an inclined surface of the second position side in the recessed groove.

Operation device and image recording device

A multifunction device includes an image scanning unit and an image printing unit. The multifunction device further includes au operation panel which is positioned on a front side of the image scanning unit. The operation panel includes a display portion. Each of the display portion and the operation panel has a horizontal center line and a vertical center line which is perpendicular to the horizontal center line. A length of the vertical center line of the display portion is about equal to a length of the vertical center line of the operation panel. A ratio of a length of the horizontal center line of the display portion to the length of the vertical center line of the display portion is greater than 4/3.

Multifunction device

A multifunctional device including a lower frame, a main control board, and a cartridge holder. A conveying space is formed in the lower frame farther forward than a recording unit and includes a discharge space for receiving discharged recording sheet. The main control board is disposed horizontally above the conveying space when viewed from the front. The recording unit is disposed farther rearward than the conveying space, with its topmost part substantially equal in height to the main control board. The cartridge holder is disposed to the side of the conveying space and the main control board and fits vertically within the top part.

Image-forming device

An information apparatus includes a first cover member that includes an input device capable of inputting data and may be capable of opening and closing with respect to a second cover member, and an opening/closing detection device that detects a status of the first cover member whether the first cover member is opened or closed with respect to the second cover member. The input device includes a plurality of keyswitches, each of which includes a switching portion having a circuit board, which may be provided with a fixed contact, and a rubber spring, which has a traveling contact capable of contacting and separating from the fixed contact and which is capable of being elastically deformed by pressure, and the opening/closing detection device includes at least one of the plurality of keyswitches.

Information apparatus

An electronic apparatus includes a main body; a display portion, a responsive member and a frictional sliding member. The display portion is supported by the main body rotatably about an axis of a rotary shaft so as to extend and retract with respect to the main body. The responsive member reciprocates in a guide groove formed in the main body as a result of the extension and retraction of the display portion. The responsive member includes a first end rotatably attached to a rear side of the display portion at a position offset from the axis of the rotary shaft, and a second end including with an engagement piece engaged with the guide groove. The frictional sliding member is disposed along the guide groove and, when compressed by the engagement piece of the responsive member, the frictional sliding member applies a frictional force to the reciprocating responsive member. An image forming apparatus may include such an electronic apparatus.

Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus comprising such electronic apparatus

A sheet conveying device includes a metal feed roller driven by a drive source and a plastic pinch roller pressed against the feed roller. A sheet is held between the feed roller and the pinch roller, to convey the sheet to a recording unit. An elastic ring having a high wear resistance is fitted over a part of an outer surface of the pinch roller in a width direction of the pinch roller. Accordingly, the elastic deformation of the elastic ring reduces or absorbs load (impact) that causes a rear end of the sheet to flick or spring and the improper sheet feeding, when the rear end of the sheet passes through a nip portion between the feed roller and the pinch roller. Thus, variances in the sheet feeding amounts and the poor image formation are prevented.

Sheet conveying device

A paper feeder for printers having front and back pin tractor assemblies disposed on opposite sides of a platen roller with respect to the paper feed route. Each tractor has a plurality of pins which are rotatable so as to convey the continuous paper. A reversible drive source is coupled to both the pin tractors. A clutch selectively decouples the drive source from the front pin tractors in accordance with the rotational direction of the drive source. A switch mechanism independent of the clutch also selectively decouples the front pin tractor from the drive source. The described structure allows paper stack to be automatically removed from between the tractors.

Growing community of inventors

Nagoya, Japan

Teruo Deshimaru