Abstract:
A transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter includes a base provided with at least one pivot base. The pivot base is formed with a pivot groove. The pivot groove has a top end defining an opening. A transparency adapter is provided with at least one pivot axle. The pivot axle is movably combined with and detached from the pivot groove of the pivot base. Thus, the transparency adapter is rigidly pivoted on the base, thereby providing a positioning effect. The pivot groove has an opening for allowing detachment of the pivot axle of the transparency adapter, thereby achieving the purpose of detaching and replacing the transparency adapter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a transparency adapter structure of a scanner for scanning a transparency, and more particularly to a transparency adapter structure of a scanner with a replaceable transparency adapter.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A conventional scanner has a scanning function for scanning a reflective paper. However, for scanning a transparency, for example, for scanning the positive sheet or negative sheet, the scanner needs to co-operate a transparency adapter having a light source to proceed the scanning action.  
           [0005]    In scanning, the user has to hold the transparency adapter by his hand, with one face of the transparency adapter, which may emit light for scanning, being pressed on the glass window of the scanner, while the transparency is placed between the transparency adapter and the glass window. Thus, the scanning light emitted from the transparency adapter penetrates the transparency and the glass window, and is then received by the optical member mounted in the scanner.  
           [0006]    The scanner may scan the transparency by use of the transparency adapter. But in the scanning process, the user&#39;s hand has to hold the transparency adapter stably so that the transparency adapter, a transparency the transparency, and the glass window may maintain a stable relationship. If the transparency adapter sways to produce a relative displacement with the transparency and the glass window, the effect for scanning the transparency is greatly affected. Thus, the scanning manner by holding the transparency adapter manually is inconvenient, and easily affects the scanning quality.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter, wherein by a detachable locking assembly manner, the transparency adapter can obtain a rigid positioning effect, and can be removed to replace a different transparency adapter, thereby satisfying the requirement of the user.  
           [0008]    For achieving the purpose, the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter of the present invention includes a plate-shaped base provided with at least one pivot base. The pivot base is provided with a pivot groove. The pivot groove has a top end defining an opening. A transparency adapter is provided with at least one pivot axle. The pivot axle is movably combined with and detached from the pivot groove of the pivot base. Thus, the transparency adapter is rigidly pivoted on the base, thereby providing a positioning effect, and can be detached from the base to replace a different transparency adapter.  
           [0009]    Next, the anti-skid pads are mounted on the bottom face of the base. Thus, when the base contacts the glass window, a relative displacement will not be produced, thereby facilitating a stable scanning effect.  
           [0010]    In addition, different kinds of glass window made by different manufacturers have different sizes. By the anti-skid effect between the anti-skid pad and the glass window, the smaller base may be placed on the larger glass window, without incurring a relative displacement, thereby satisfying the practical requirement.  
           [0011]    Further, the pivot groove of the pivot base has an inner wall face provided with a retaining flange. Thus, after the pivot axle of the transparency adapter is locked in the pivot groove, it is not easily detached. The inner wall face of the pivot groove of the pivot base may also be provided with an elastic locking rib, for providing a retaining effect, so that after the pivot axle of the transparency adapter is locked in the pivot groove, it is not easily detached.  
           [0012]    In addition, the inner wall face of the pivot groove of the pivot base is provided with an inclined guide face. Thus, the pivot axle of the transparency adapter may be locked in the pivot groove easily.  
           [0013]    Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter along line  2 - 2  as shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter as shown in FIG. 1 in use;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a locally enlarged schematic view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter as shown in FIG. 1 in use;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a locally enlarged schematic view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter as shown in FIG. 1 in use;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter as shown in FIG. 6;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter as shown in FIG. 8;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional assembly view of the transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter as shown in FIG. 10; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a transparency adapter structure of a scanner having a replaceable transparency adapter in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a base  11  provided with two pivot bases  21 , and a transparency adapter  31  mounted on the two pivot bases  21 .  
         [0027]    The base  11  is made into a plate, and has a surface defining a window slot  12 , and a bottom face  13  provided with a plurality of anti-skid pads  14 . In addition, the anti-skid pads  14  are arranged on the bottom face  13  of the base  11  evenly.  
         [0028]    The two pivot bases  21  are oppositely secured on the base  11 . Each pivot base  21  defines a pivot groove  22  whose top end is provided with an opening  23 . In addition, each pivot groove  22  has a first wall  24  and an opposite second wall  25 . The first wall  24  is protruded with a retaining flange  26  which is provided with an inclined guide face  27  at the top thereof.  
         [0029]    The retaining flange  26  and the inclined guide face  27  may also be provided on the second wall  25  of the pivot groove  22  (not shown in the figure) only, or provided on the first wall  24  and the second wall  25  of the pivot groove  22  simultaneously.  
         [0030]    The transparency adapter  31  is a device that may supply the light source for scanning. The first side  32  of the transparency adapter  31  is protruded with a pivot axle  33  through which an electric cord  34  axially passes outward. The second side  35  of the transparency adapter  31  is protruded with a pivot axle  36 .  
         [0031]    In assembly, the pivot axles  33  and  36  of the first side  32  and the second side  35  of the transparency adapter  31  are respectively aligned with the pivot grooves  22  of the pivot bases  21 . Each of the pivot axles  33  and  36  may pass through the retaining flange  26  to enter the bottom of the pivot groove  22  conveniently by the guidance of the inclined guide face  27 , and by the elastic expansion of the first wall  24  and the second wall  25 .  
         [0032]    When the user wants to remove the transparency adapter  31  that is pivoted on the pivot bases  21 , each of the pivot axles  33  and  36  is retained by the retaining flange  26 , so that the transparency adapter  31  cannot be removed easily. However, by applying a proper force, or by driving the first wall  24  of the pivot groove  22 , the pivot axles  33  and  36  may be released from the pivot groove  22 .  
         [0033]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in use, the base  11  is placed on the glass  42  of the scanner  41 , and the transparency  43  is placed into the window slot  12  of the base  11 . The base  11  and the transparency adapter  31  are placed on the glass window  42 , so that the upper cover  44  of the scanner  41  needs not to cover the glass window  42 . The upper cover  44  may be removed directly, without affecting the scanning action and result.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIG. 5, the transparency adapter  31  may be pivoted to the base  11  conveniently by the pivot relation between the pivot axle  33  and the pivot groove  22  (the other pivot axle and pivot groove are not shown), so that one face of the transparency adapter  31 , which may emit light for scanning, is rested on the transparency  43 . Thus, the light for scanning penetrates the transparency  43  and the glass window  42 , and is then received by the optical member (not shown) mounted in the scanner  41 .  
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the base  11  is provided with two pivot bases  21 . Each pivot base  21  defines a pivot groove  22  whose top end is provided with an opening  23 . The first wall  24  of the pivot groove  22  is provided with an elastic locking rib  51  which is provided with a catch edge  52  at the top thereof. The inner face of the first wall  24  is provided with an inclined guide face  27 .  
         [0036]    The second wall  25  of the pivot groove  22  may also be provided with an elastic locking rib (not shown) and an inclined guide face (not shown), or both of the first wall  24  and the second wall  25  are provided with the elastic locking rib  51 .  
         [0037]    Thus, when the pivot axles  33  and  36  of the transparency adapter  31  are to be mounted in the pivot groove  22 , the pivot axles  33  and  36  of the transparency adapter  31  may displace along the inclined guide face  27 , pass through the catch edge  52  of the elastic locking rib  51 , and fully enter the pivot groove  22 , to pivotally combine with the pivot base  21 . At this time, the pivot axles  33  and  36  are retained by the catch edge  52  of the elastic locking rib  51 , so that they cannot be detached easily. The pivot axles  33  and  36  can be detached from the pivot groove  22  by properly driving the elastic locking rib  51 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the top face of the pivot base  21  of the base  11  defines an opening  61 , and the inside of the pivot base  21  is formed with a pivot groove  62 . The pivot axle  33  provided by the first side  32  of the transparency adapter  31  has one end provided with a locking shaft  63  perpendicular to the pivot axle  33 . The second side of the transparency adapter is also provided with a pivot axle and a locking shaft perpendicular with each other which are not shown in the figures.  
         [0039]    After the pivot axle  33  and the locking shaft  63  of the transparency adapter  31  pass through the opening  61  to enter the pivot groove  62 , the locking shaft  63  is rotated from a vertical position to a horizontal position (dashed lines in FIG. 9) by rotation of the transparency adapter  31 . The locking shaft  63  may be rotated in the pivot groove  62  conveniently, so that the transparency adapter  31  can be pivoted relative to the base  11  conveniently. The locking shaft  63  at the horizontal position is retained in and cannot be detached from the pivot groove  62 , such that the transparency adapter  31  and the base  11  may form a rigid pivot combination.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the first side  32  of the transparency adapter  31  is protruded with a pivot axle  64  having a rectangular rod shape. The pivot axle  64  has a first side  65  and a second side  66  each formed with an arcuate face (the second side of the transparency adapter  31  is also protruded with a pivot axle which is not shown in the figures). The pivot base  21  of the base  11  defines an opening  61 , and the inside of the pivot base  21  is formed with a pivot groove  62  communicating with the opening  61 . The diameter of the pivot groove  62  is greater than the width of the opening  61 .  
         [0041]    After the pivot axle  64  of the transparency adapter  31  passes through the opening  61  to enter the pivot groove  62 , the pivot axle  64  is rotated in the pivot groove  62  by rotation of the transparency adapter  31 . The side faces of the pivot axle  64  are arcuate, so that the pivot axle  64  can be rotated in the pivot groove  62  conveniently.  
         [0042]    The size of the cross-sectional lengthwise portion of the pivot axle  64  is approximately equal to the diameter of the pivot groove  62 , so that when the cross-sectional lengthwise portion of the pivot axle  64  is disposed at its horizontal position, the pivot axle  64  is retained in the pivot groove  62  and is locked by the end edge of the bottom of the opening  61 , so that the pivot axle  64  cannot detach from the pivot base  21 .  
         [0043]    The transparency adapter  31  is pivoted with the pivot base  21  of the base  11  by a pivot structure, and the transparency adapter  31  may pivot relative to the base  11  conveniently. Thus, the user may perform the scanning action without having to hold the transparency adapter  31 . The base  11  and the glass window  42  will not produce a relative displacement therebetween due to the anti-skid pads  14  mounted on the bottom face  13  of the base  11 , thereby obtaining a good scanning quality.  
         [0044]    In addition, the scanner products of different manufacturers have different sizes, so that the glass window  42  of the scanner  41  has different sizes. However, by the anti-skid pads  14  mounted on the bottom face  13  of the base  11 , if the base  11  may be placed on the glass window  42 , the anti-skid pads  14  of the base  11  may be tightly rested on the glass window  42 , so that the base  11  can be positioned rigidly, and the user can operate the transparency adapter  31  conveniently. Thus, the present invention may satisfy requirements of each scanner, thereby enhancing the versatility thereof.  
         [0045]    Different transparency adapters  31  have different sizes. The user may use the transparency adapters  31  having different sizes to perform the scanning work when different scanning requirements are needed. In accordance with the present invention, the transparency adapter  31  may be separated from the base  11 , so that the user only needs a base  11 , without having to prepare a base  11  to mate with a transparency adapter  31 , thereby decreasing the cost of purchase.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 12, the assembly of the base  11  and the transparency adapter  31  has a shade effect. Thus, the base  11  may be directly pivoted on the scanner  41 , so that the assembly of the base  11  and the transparency adapter  31  can function as the paper cover on the top of the scanner  41 . Thus, the transparency adapter  31  can be directly combined with the scanner  41 , thereby satisfying the requirement of the consumer.  
         [0047]    While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Such modifications are all within the scope of the present invention.