SCANNER WITH LIMITED COVER ANGLE

Abstract

A scanner comprises a main body, a cover and a limiting mechanism. The cover is rotatably disposed on the main body to cover a scanned object. The limiting mechanism is disposed between the main body and the cover. When the main body is horizontal, the limiting mechanism does not function and the cover assures a workable angle. When the main body is erected, the limiting mechanism limits the cover to a predetermined angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 a, 1b and 1c depict a conventional scanner;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a scanner of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the limiting mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 a˜4c depict motion of the limiting mechanism when the scanner is horizontal;

FIGS. 5 a˜5d depict motion of the limiting mechanism when the scanner is erected;

FIGS. 6 a and 6b depict another embodiment of a scanner of the invention;

FIGS. 7 a and 7b depict another embodiment of a scanner of the invention;

FIGS. 8 a˜8c are schematic views of the first hook and the second hook of the embodiment of FIGS. 7a and 7b;

FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment of a scanner of the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts another embodiment of a scanner of the invention; and

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment of a scanner of the invention.

Claims

1. A scanner, comprising: a main body;a cover rotatably disposed on the main body to cover a scanned object; anda limiting mechanism disposed between the main body and the cover, wherein when the main body is horizontal, the limiting mechanism does not function and the cover assures a workable angle, and when the main body is erected, the limiting mechanism limits the cover to a predetermined angle.

2. The scanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limiting mechanism comprises: a first hook rotatably disposed on the main body;a second hook corresponding to the first hook and fixed to the cover, wherein when the main body is horizontal, the first hook does not engage the second hook and the cover is opened to a workable angle, and when the main body is erected, the first hook engages the second hook and the cover is opened to the predetermined angle.

3. The scanner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main body has an inclined surface, and when the main body is horizontal, the first hook leans on the inclined surface such that the first hook does not engage the second hook, and when the main body is erected, the first hook is rotated from the inclined surface by gravity to engage the second hook.

4. The scanner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first hook comprises a pivot portion rotatably disposed on the main body and a first hook portion connected to the pivot portion and engaging the second hook.

5. The scanner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pivot portion and the first hook portion are formed integrally.

6. The scanner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first hook portion is rotatably connected to the pivot portion, and the first hook further comprises an extension spring connecting the first hook portion and the pivot portion, whereby the first hook portion is positioned to the pivot portion.

7. The scanner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first hook further comprises a rib disposed on the pivot portion and abutting the first hook portion, whereby the first hook portion is positioned to the pivot portion.

8. The scanner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first hook portion is rotatably connected to the pivot portion, and the first hook portion further comprises a torsion spring connecting the first hook portion and the pivot portion, whereby the first hook portion is positioned to the pivot portion.

9. The scanner as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first hook further comprises a rib disposed on the pivot portion and abutting the first hook portion, whereby the first hook portion is positioned to the pivot portion.

10. The scanner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main body has a through hole, and the pivot portion has a shaft joined to the through hole, whereby the pivot is rotatably disposed on the main body.

11. The scanner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the shaft has a curved groove with a first end and a second end, and a protrusion is disposed in the through hole, such that when the shaft is joined to the through hole, the protrusion is in the curved groove.

12. The scanner as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the main body is horizontal, the protrusion abuts the first end, whereby the first hook does not engage the second hook, and when the main body is erected, the first hook is rotated by gravity and the protrusion abuts the second end, whereby the first hook engages the second hook and the cover is opened to the predetermined angle.

13. The scanner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second hook comprises a support portion fixed to the cover and a second hook portion connected to the support portion and engaging the first hook.

14. The scanner as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second hook portion and the support portion are formed integrally.

15. The scanner as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second hook portion is rotatably connected to the support portion, and the second hook further comprises an extension spring connecting the second hook portion and the support portion, whereby the second hook portion is positioned to the support portion.

16. The scanner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second hook further comprises a rib disposed on the support portion and abutting the second hook portion, whereby the second hook portion is positioned to the support portion.

17. The scanner as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second hook portion is rotatably connected to the support portion, and the second hook further comprises a torsion spring connecting the second hook portion and the support portion, whereby the second hook portion is positioned to the support portion.

18. The scanner as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second hook further comprises a rib disposed on the support portion and abutting the second hook portion, whereby the second hook portion is positioned to the support portion.