The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1996
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
There is provided an image input apparatus which can quickly and easily move a camera head to an intended position, can adequately adjust the position of the camera head, can improve operability in the document photographing mode, and is easy to carry. The image input apparatus has a camera head, support members coupled via a plurality of joint portions to support the camera head, and a base for supporting the proximal end side of the support members. When an image is input by the camera head, the camera head can be held at a predetermined position and posture by each of the plurality of joint portions. A pivot support mechanism arranged between a camera unit and a support portion has a fist support member having two opposing projections, a second support member arranged between the projections, a pair of clamping members arranged to clamp the projections between the second support member and themselves, and a torque generation mechanism for generating a torque between the second support member, the clamping members, and the projections. A pivot support mechanism arranged between a support portion and a base has a first support member having two opposing projections, a second support member, and has two end portions respectively engaging with the two projections and a coupling portion for coupling these two end portions, and a torque generation mechanism arranged between the first and second support members. An opening portion through which the cable extends is formed on the coupling portion.