Abstract:
A printer has a cover which includes a jam removal lever position checking portion, a toner container locking lever position checking portion, a shutter switch, and a side cover bracket. The jam removal lever position checking portion interferes with a jam removal lever installed in the main body to check whether the jam removal lever is properly positioned. The toner container locking lever position checking portion interferes with a toner container locking lever installed in the main body to check whether a toner container is properly fixed. The shutter switch opens and closes a shutter to control a flow of remaining toner collected by a developer roller after being developed, into the toner container. The side cover bracket interferes with a side cover bracket installed at the main body to control joining a side cover with the main body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/256,205, now allowed. This application also claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 2001-60139, filed Sep. 27, 2001, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a multi-function machine, and more particularly, to a multi-function machine having a multifunctional cover with a multi-function to control a proper operation of a plurality of devices installed in a main body of the multi-function machine. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As office automation machines such as printers, copiers, scanners, and facsimiles are currently widespread, high-performance products are developed to expand original functions of these machines. As a result, a method of using the office automation machines becomes complicated, production cost goes up, and the office automation machines become high-priced pieces of equipment. Due to this, independent office automation machines have been combined into one machine to provide for a multi-function machine, which is economical and simple to use. 
   The multi-function machine has a structure in which a printer is combined with a facsimile machine. Thus, the multi-function machine has a printing device and a scanning device which copies a desired portion of an original through scanning. Also, the multi-function machine has an information transmission device, such as a modem, which stores and transceives data. Therefore, the multi-function machine is a single unit serving as a scanner and a copier as well as a printer and a facsimile machine. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional office automation machine. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the office automation machine includes a main body  100 , a multifunctional cover  200 , a hook  220 , and a protrusion  240 . The multifunctional cover  200  is hinged to a bottom tip of the main body  100  and is to be opened from and closed toward the main body  100  using a hinge  120 . The hook  220  is installed at one side of the multifunctional cover  200  so that it is joined with a knob  140  mounted at the main body  100  when the multifunctional cover  200  is closed toward the main body  100 . The protrusion  240 , which is installed at a portion of an inner surface of the multifunctional cover  200 , turns off a switch  160  installed at the main body when the multifunctional cover  200  is opened from the main body  100  and turns on the switch  160  when the multifunctional cover  200  is closed toward the main body  100 . 
   In the above-described configuration, the protrusion  240  is separated from the switch  160  when the multifunctional cover  200  is opened from the main body  100 . Then, a supply of power to the main body  100  is cut off, and an operation of the multi-function machine stops. A device (not shown) installed in the main body  100  is therefore exposed so that it is replaced or repaired. 
   When the multifunctional cover  200  is closed toward the main body  100 , the protrusion  240  is joined with the switch  160 . Then, the main body  100  is supplied with power, and thus the device (not shown) installed therein is ready to operate. 
   As described above, the multifunctional cover  200  of the conventional office automation machine simply protects devices or parts therein. Also, power is cut off or supplied when the multifunctional cover  200  is opened from and closed toward the main body  100 . Thus, additional devices are required to check whether or not devices in the main body  100  function properly. As a result, the conventional office automation machine is complicated and its cost becomes expensive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function machine having a multifunctional cover to perform a function of checking whether or not devices in a main body operate properly as well as a function of supplying or cutting off power. 
   Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
   The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a multi-function machine having a multifunctional cover with a power cutoff to cut off power of a main body when the multifunctional cover is opened from the main body and to supply the main body with power when the multifunctional cover is closed toward the main body to protect internal devices. The multifunctional cover, which is installed at a predetermined position facing the main body, includes a jam removal lever position checking portion, a toner container locking lever position checking portion, a shutter switch, and a side cover bracket. The jam removal lever position checking portion interferes with a jam removal lever installed in the main body to check whether the jam removal lever is properly positioned. The toner container locking lever position checking portion, which is adjacent to the jam removal lever position checking portion, interferes with a toner container locking lever installed in the main body to check whether a toner container is properly fixed. The shutter switch, which is adjacent to the toner container locking lever position checking portion, opens and closes a shutter to control a flow of remaining toner collected by a developer roller after being developed, into the toner container. The side cover bracket, which is installed at a predetermined position of the multifunctional cover facing the main body, interferes with a side cover bracket installed at the main body to control joining a side cover with the main body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional office automation machine; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a multi-function machine adopting a multifunctional cover, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the multifunctional cover shown in  FIG. 2  in an open position from a main body; 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are views showing the states before and after the opening is open, respectively; and 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are views showing the states before and after the shutter is open, respectively. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a multi-function machine  300  adopting a multifunctional cover  380 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the multi-function machine  300  includes a main body  310 , a manipulation panel  320 , a platen assembly  340 , and a platen multifunctional cover assembly  360 . The manipulation panel  320 , which is installed at an upper part of the main body  310 , provides an interface to operate the multi-function machine  300 . The platen assembly  340  includes a scanning glass  330  through which light radiated by a scanner (not shown) penetrates. The platen multifunctional cover assembly  360  having a tray  350  supporting a copy, is hinged to an upper part of the platen assembly  340  by a hinge (not shown). 
   The multi-function machine  300  also includes a sheet feeding cassette  370 , the multifunctional cover  380 , and a side cover  390 . Recording sheets are loaded into the sheet feeding cassette  370  which is installed at a lower part of the main body  310 . The multifunctional cover  380 , which is positioned at a front of the main body  310 , has a plurality of members to grasp a position of an operation of devices installed in the main body  310 . The side cover  390  is hinged to one side of the main body  310  and is used to inspect, replace, or protect devices installed in the main body  310 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the multifunctional cover shown in  FIG. 2  in an open opposition from a main body. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the multifunctional cover  380  is connected to the main body  310  by a hinge  381  so that it is opened from and closed toward the main body  310  using the hinge  381 . 
   A locking unit  382  is provided at one side of the multifunctional cover  380  facing the main body  310 , and a fixing unit  312  opposite to the locking unit  382  is provided in the main body  310 . The locking unit  382  is joined with the fixing unit  312  when the multifunctional cover  380  is closed toward the main body  310 . Thus, the multifunctional cover  380  is fixed to the main body  310 . 
   A power cutoff device  383  may be installed at the multifunctional cover  380 . The power cutoff device  383  serves as a safety device to suspend operations of devices by cutting off power of the main body  310  to protect the devices when the multifunctional cover  380  is opened from the main body  310 . A switch  313 , which faces the power cutoff device  383 , is installed on the main body  310 . The power cutoff device  383  turns on the switch  313  to supply the main body  310  with power when the multifunctional cover  380  is closed toward the main body  310 . The power cutoff device  383  turns off the switch  313  to cut off the supply of power to the main body  310  when the multifunctional cover  380  is opened from the main body  310 . 
   A jam removal lever position checking portion  384  is installed at a predetermined position of the multifunctional cover  380  facing the main body  310 . The jam removal lever position checking portion  384  checks whether a jam removal lever  314 , which is installed in the main body  310  to remove a jam occurring during the operation of the multi-function machine  300 , is properly positioned. 
   The jam removal lever position checking portion  384  protrudes at a predetermined length from the multifunctional cover  380  toward the main body  310 . A first inclined portion  384   a , which interferes with the jam removal lever  314 , is formed at one side of the jam removal lever position checking portion  384 . A plurality of first ribs  384   b  are formed at the first inclined portion  384   a.    
   The jam removal lever position checking portion  384  interferes with the jam removal lever  314  if the jam removal lever  314  is positioned at position B. The position B is a position to remove jams occurring during the operation of the multi-function machine  300  when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . Here, the multifunctional cover  380  is not joined with the main body  310 . However, a user may manually reposition the jam removal lever  314  at position A, and therefore allow the multifunctional cover  380  to come in contact with the main body  310 . 
   The first ribs  384   b  push the jam removal lever  314  so that the multifunctional cover is joined with the main body  310  if the jam removal lever  314  is slightly spaced from the position A when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . As a result, the jam removal lever  314  is exactly positioned at the position A. 
   The first ribs  384   b  serve to fix the jam removal lever  314  at the position A when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . The user may open the multifunctional cover  380 , position the jam removal lever  314  at position B, and remove the jam if a jam occurs during the operation of the multi-function machine  300 . 
   A toner container locking lever position checking portion  385  is installed under the jam removal lever position checking portion  384  at a predetermined position of the multifunctional cover  380  facing the main body  310 . The toner container locking lever position checking portion  385  checks whether a toner container locking lever  315  to join a toner container  317  with the main body  310  to fix the toner container  317  is properly fixed. 
   The toner container locking lever position checking portion  385  protrudes at a predetermined length from the multifunctional cover  380 . A second inclined portion  385   a , which interferes with the toner container locking lever  315 , is provided at one side of the toner container locking lever position checking portion  385 . A plurality of second ribs  385   b  are formed at the second inclined portion  385   a.    
   The toner container locking lever position checking portion  385  is pressed against the toner container locking lever  315  if the toner container locking lever  315  is at position D when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . Here, the multifunctional cover  380  interferes with the main body  310 . Therefore, the user may position the toner container locking lever  315  at position C to prevent the toner container locking lever  315  from being interfered with the toner container locking lever position checking portion  385 , and join the multifunctional cover  380  with the main body  310 . 
   The second inclined portion  385   a  pushes the toner container locking lever  315  to fix it at position C when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . Particularly, the second ribs  385   b  push the toner container locking lever  315  to be joined with the main body  310  if the toner container locking lever  315  is slightly spaced from the position C when the toner container locking lever position checking portion  385  is joined with the main body  310 . Thus, the toner container locking lever  315  is exactly positioned at the position C. 
   The user may open the multifunctional cover  380 , position the toner container locking lever  315  at the position D, and separate the toner container  317  from the main body  310 . 
   A shutter switch  386  adjacent to the toner container locking lever position checking portion  385  is provided at a predetermined position of the multifunctional cover  380  facing the main body  310 . The shutter switch  386  serves to open and close a shutter  316   a  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) so that toner collected from a developer unit  316  flows into the toner container  317 . Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , an opening  317   a  is provided on the toner container  317  to face the shutter  316   a . The opening  317   a  is opened when the toner container  317  is joined with the main body  310 , and is closed when the toner container  317  is separated from the main body  310 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , shutter  316   a  is positioned to correspond to the opening  317   a  of the toner container  317 , and slides in an axial direction of the developer unit  316 , and is elastically biased by an elastic device  316   b.    
   The shutter switch  386  protrudes from the multifunctional cover  380  a predetermined length. The shutter switch  386  pushes the shutter  316   a  to open an outlet  316   c  when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . As a result, the toner collected from the developer unit  316  flows into the toner container  317  through the opening  317   a . In contrast, the shutter  316   a  is returned to the original position by an elastic force of the elastic device  316   b  so that the outlet  316   c  is closed and toner does not flow into the toner container  317  if the multifunctional cover  380  is opened. 
   A side cover bracket controller  387  is installed at a predetermined position of the multifunctional cover  380  facing the main body  310 . The side cover bracket controller  387  interferes with a side cover bracket  318  installed at the main body  310  so that joining the side cover  390  with the main body  310  is controlled. 
   The side cover bracket  318  rotates a pivot  319  at the main body  310 . An interferer  318   a  and a hinderer  318   b  are provided at a predetermined angle at the side cover bracket  318 . The side cover bracket  318  is elastically biased to position H by an elastic device (not shown). 
   The side cover bracket controller  387  protrudes from the multifunctional cover  380  at a predetermined length. The side cover bracket controller  387  pushes the interferer  318   a , and is joined with the main body  310  when the multifunctional cover  380  is joined with the main body  310 . 
   The side cover bracket  318  rotates the pivot  319  and moves from the position H to position I. Here, the hinderer  318   b  rotates by a distance the same as a distance that the interferer  318   a  rotates, so it does not hinder the side cover  390  from being joined with the main body  310 . Thus, the side cover  390  is joined with the main body  310 . 
   The side cover bracket  318  is elastically biased by the elastic device (not shown), and is at the position H when the multifunctional cover  380  is opened from the main body  310 . Here, the hinderer  318   b  hinders the side cover  390  from being joined with the main body  310 . Thus, the side cover  390  cannot be joined with the main body  310  when the multifunctional cover  380  is not joined with the main body  310 . 
   As described above, a multi-function machine according to the present invention includes members having functions of checking a position of a jam removal lever, checking whether a toner container locking lever is fixed, opening a shutter, and rotating a side cover bracket at a multifunctional cover. Parts added when the members are independently installed are not required. Thus, cost of the multi-function machine is reduced, and a user may easily check several functions of the multi-function machine.