JPS6184637A - Opening and closing meechanism for top cover of copying machine or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve reliability by supporting a shaft fixed to an upper cover rotatably on a main body, providing a ratchet to the shaft across a unidirectional clutch, and equipping the main body with a claw with engages the ratchet in an engaging/disengaging state. CONSTITUTION:When the upper cover 3 is opened so as to repair or inspect the copying machine, the cover 3 is opened easily be being lifted because the shaft 7 fixed on the bracket 6 of the upper cover 3 is so fitted as to allow the unidirectional clutch 8 to rotate clockwise freely in a figure about the ratchet 9. The ratchet 9, however, is inhibited from rotating and the unidirectional clutch 8 rotates the shaft and ratchet 9 together clockwise, so the counterclockwise rotation is inhibited. The claw 10 is held at its position by an over- center mechanism, so it never disengaged from the ratchet 9 and the upper cover 3 is therefore prevented from being closed naturally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates generally to a lid of a mechanical device, and in particular to a lid of a copying machine, which allows the lid to be easily opened and closed, and also enables reliable stopping when placed in a desired position. Regarding the opening/closing mechanism.

(Prior Art) The lid of a large casing such as a casing of a mechanical device, especially the top lid of a copying machine body, may be opened or stopped at any position for internal repair or inspection.

Conventionally, when opening the top lid, one hand was hinged to the main body and lifted the top lid, while the other hand inserted a peck stick to prevent the lid from closing. Since this rod has a fixed length, the degree to which the lid is opened cannot be adjusted, and the upper lid is quite heavy, so it takes a considerable amount of effort to lift it with one hand. However, there is an unavoidable danger that the rod may come off and break. Also, when closing the lid after completing work, one hand is required to operate the lid and the rod.

Generally, to keep the lid open, in addition to the above-mentioned support rod, a bi-fold link or a slide-out tube is used, but it is also possible to securely place the lid, which carries a considerable weight, in any position. There is nothing satisfactory in terms of holding the lid, and a large mechanism is not practical as a simple mechanism for opening and closing the top lid, and it is also undesirable in terms of cost.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention has a simple main structure, easy opening/closing operations, and highly reliable opening/closing mechanism that can reliably stop at a desired position. I will provide a.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) According to the present invention, a shaft fixed to the upper lid is rotatably supported by the main body, a ratchet is attached to the shaft via a one-way clutch,
By removably pivotally mounting a pawl that engages with the ratchet on the main body, the shaft is allowed to rotate only in the direction of opening the lid when the pawl engages with the ratchet, and the pawl separates from the ratchet. By allowing the shaft to rotate in the direction of closing the lid, it is possible to open and close the lid with ease and to stop it reliably at a desired position. In addition, in practice, a means for engaging and disengaging the claw from the ratchet can be provided on the upper lid.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an example with reference to the drawings.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a copying machine with a fixed document table, and an upper lid 3 having a document cover 4 is attached to the upper end of its main body 2 so that it can be opened and closed by an opening/closing mechanism on both sides, generally indicated by 5. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, a bracket 6 is provided on the same side of the rear end of the upper lid 3, and a shaft 7 fixed to the bracket 6 is
It is rotatably supported on the inner upper part of the main body 2. A ratchet 9 is attached to the shaft 7 via a one-way clutch 8.

In FIG. 2, the one-way clutch 8 is installed so that the shaft 7 can rotate clockwise independently of the ratchet 9, but rotates counterclockwise integrally with the ratchet 9. Above the ratchet 9 is a V-shaped claw 1.
0 is pivotally mounted inside the main body 2 by a pin 11. A spring 12 is connected to one arm 10a of the claw 10, and the other end is fixed onto the main body 2. Arm 10a and pin 1
A protrusion 10b that protrudes backward and obliquely downward is provided between the protrusion 10b and the protrusion 10b. The spring 12 is a compression spring that attempts to rotate the pawl lO counterclockwise, causing the protrusion 101) to be rotated by the ratchet 9.
It is designed to prevent its rotation by pressing against it. Claw 1
0's other arm 10c projects inside the upper lid 3. A projection 13 is provided on the inner lower edge of the upper lid 3. The position of the protrusion 13 is such that it can engage either of the arms 10a, 10c of the claw 10 when the upper lid 3 rotates. However, the pawl 10 and the spring 12 form a so-called over-center mechanism.

When opening the top cover 3 for repair or inspection of the copying machine 1, if you try to lift the top cover 3 by hand, the one-way clutch 8 will cause the shaft 7 fixed to the bracket 6 of the top cover 3 to move against the ratchet 9. Since the lid 3 is attached to allow free rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, the lid 3 can be opened easily. However, the ratchet 9 is prevented from rotating by the pawl 10, and the one-way clutch 8 is prevented from rotating by the shaft 7.
Since the ratchet 9 and the ratchet 9 are rotated together in the counterclockwise direction, the counterclockwise rotation is completely prevented. As mentioned above, since the pawl 10 is held in that position by the over-center mechanism, it will not come off the ratchet 9, and therefore the upper nine 3 will not close naturally. FIG. 3 shows the upper lid 3 in an open state.

Next, when closing the upper lid 3, lift the upper lid 3 with both hands, engage the protrusion 13 with the arm 10a of the pawl 10 as shown in FIG. Remove from. Then, the spring 12 passes through the center of the pawl 10, which pushes the pawl 10 to the opposite side from the front, and maintains the state separated from the pawl 10.

The upper lid 3 is then free to rotate in the closing direction together with the one-way clutch 8 and ratchet 9.

Then, just before the upper lid is completely closed, the protrusion 13 engages with the arm 10a of the ratchet, rotates it, passes through the center, and locks the protrusion 10b on the ratchet 9.

Although the above embodiment is installed in a copying machine, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to copying machines but also to general mechanical devices.

(Effects of the Invention) As configured as described above, the upper lid opening/closing mechanism of the present invention can be opened and closed extremely easily, can be stopped at a desired position reliably, and has a small and simple structure. Despite this, it is sturdy and reliable, and can be used safely for a long period of time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copying machine equipped with the top lid opening/closing mechanism of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partially sectional side view of the main parts. FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged, partially sectional side views of essential parts, shown in a different state from FIG. 2 for explaining the operation of the opening/closing mechanism. 1... Copy machine 2... Main body 3...-Top lid 4.
...Document cover 5...Opening/closing mechanism 6...Bracket 7...Rotating shaft 8...One-way clutch 9...
Ratchet 10...Claws 10a, 10c...Arm
10 b...Protrusion 11...Pin 12...Compression spring 13...Protrusion agent Patent attorney Fukamachi
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 13 tliq diagram

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A shaft fixed to the upper lid is rotatably supported by the main body, a ratchet is attached to the shaft via a one-way clutch,
A claw that engages with the ratchet is removably pivoted on the main body, and when the claw engages with the ratchet, the shaft is allowed to rotate only in the direction of opening the lid, and the claw is detached from the ratchet. An opening/closing mechanism for a top lid of a copying machine, etc., characterized in that the shaft is allowed to rotate in a direction to close the lid. (2) An opening/closing mechanism for a top lid of a copying machine or the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top lid is provided with means for engaging and disengaging a claw from a ratchet.