Cover support mechanism and image forming apparatus incorporating the same

Abstract

A cover support mechanism regulates an opening angle of an openable cover with respect to a chassis of an electronic device. The cover constitutes a portion of the chassis. The mechanism has a cord shaped or tape shaped stopper, and a support unit. The stopper has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being fixed to the cover. The support unit supports the second end portion of the stopper. The support unit is provided to the electronic device. The support unit has a receiving portion, a biasing member, and a braking unit. The receiving portion has a space for pulling in the second end portion of the stopper. The biasing member applies force to the stopper for pulling in the stopper into the receiving portion. The braking unit applies frictional force to the stopper when the cover is opened.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an image forming apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a figure showing the general internal structure of this image forming apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the general internal structure of this image forming apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a figure showing a state with a front cover opened;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory figure showing a support unit which supports a wire; and

FIG. 6 is an explanatory figure showing a braking unit provided to a support unit.

Claims

1. A cover support mechanism which regulates an opening angle of an openable cover with respect to a chassis of an electronic device, the cover constituting a portion of the chassis, the mechanism comprising: a cord shaped or tape shaped stopper having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being fixed to the cover; anda support unit for supports the second end portion of the stopper, the support unit being provided to the electronic device,wherein the support unit comprises: a receiving portion which has a space for pulling in the second end portion of the stopper;a biasing member adapted to apply force to the stopper for pulling in the stopper into the receiving portion; anda braking unit adapted to apply frictional force to the stopper when the cover is opened.

2. The cover support mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a spring connected to the second end portion of the stopper, the biasing member being fixed to the inside of the receiving portion.

3. The cover support mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the stopper is a wire.

4. The cover support mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the receiving portion comprises a long and narrow passage which slopes down towards the interior of the electronic device, andwherein the braking unit comprises a frame having a notch with its width becoming narrower downwards.

5. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a chassis comprising an openable cover, andthe cover support mechanism according to claim 1.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the biasing member is a spring connected to the second end portion of the stopper, the biasing member being fixed to the inside of the receiving portion.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stopper is a wire.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the receiving portion comprises a long and narrow passage which slopes down towards the interior of the electronic device, andwherein the braking unit comprises a frame having a notch with its width becoming narrower downwards.