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:
Jul. 10, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 04, 2003
Masato Tamehira, Nara, JP;
Yoshiyuki Nishizato, Nara, JP;
Yasumasa Morimoto, Kashihara, JP;
Yoshitaka Matsumoto, Shijonawate, JP;
Masato Tamehira, Nara, JP;
Yoshiyuki Nishizato, Nara, JP;
Yasumasa Morimoto, Kashihara, JP;
Yoshitaka Matsumoto, Shijonawate, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka-shi, JP;
Abstract
A hinge mechanism of an image forming apparatus supporting a platen cover for holding an original at a fixed position on a platen glass includes a hinge unit for supporting the platen cover in such a manner that the platen cover can be opened and closed by swinging it up and down, a compression coil spring for biasing the platen cover in its opening direction, and a hinge holder attached to a housing of the apparatus for accommodating the compression coil spring. The hinge unit is provided with a hinge torque keeping mechanism which causes the compression coil spring to produce a specific amount of hinge torque to bias the platen cover in its opening direction even when the platen cover is closed.