Patent Publication Number: US-10759203-B2

Title: Recording apparatus

Description:
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2018-073230, filed Apr. 5, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to recording apparatuses that perform recording onto a medium. 
     2. Related Art 
     In recording apparatuses such as fax machines and printers, an operation panel that is tiltable may be provided on the apparatus front surface. JP-A-2017-030305 is an example of the related art. Since the operation panel provided on the apparatus front surface is tiltable, a user can operate the operation panel with an improved operability. 
     However, since the operation panel can be easily operated when it is in an open position, it may remain in that position for a long period of time. When the operation panel remains open to a certain degree for a long period of time, dust is likely to enter the inside of the apparatus, which may damage a function of the apparatus. On the other hand, when the inner side of the operation panel is formed of a fixed wall, a sufficient area cannot be ensured when a paper jam is removed from the apparatus front surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, in a configuration having a tiltable operation panel disposed on the apparatus front surface, reduction of dust or the like entering inside of the apparatus and improvement in accessibility to the inside of the apparatus are achieved. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a recording apparatus includes: a recording section that performs recording onto a medium; an operation panel which is provided to be tilted on an apparatus front surface, and is configured to be tilted to switch between a first position and a second position which is closer to a horizontal position than the first position is; and an open/close structure configured to be opened/closed, and configured to, when open, expose a space around a recording unit to be exposed under the operation panel which has been tilted at least from the first position into a horizontal direction, and, when closed, close the space around the recording unit. 
     According to the above aspect, the open/close structure configured to be opened/closed is provided, and configured to, when open, allow a space around the recording unit to be exposed under the operation panel which has been tilted at least from the first position into a horizontal direction, and, when closed, allow the space around the recording unit to be closed. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce dust or the like entering the inside of the apparatus when the open/close structure is closed, and to improve accessibility to the inside of the apparatus when the open/close structure is open. Further, a form of the open/close structure which is in a closed state closing the space around the recording unit is not limited to a form in which the open/close structure fully closes the space around the recording unit. It is only required that the open/close structure closes the space to a degree that can reduce dust or the like entering the space around the recording unit compared with the case where the open/close structure is in the open state. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, the open/close structure has a pivot center in a lower part of the open/close structure in a closed state, and is configured to open forward relative to the apparatus with an upper part of the open/close structure in the closed state taken as a free end. 
     According to the above aspect, the open/close structure has a pivot center in a lower part of the open/close structure which is in the closed state, and is configured to open forward relative to the apparatus with an upper part of the open/close structure in the closed state taken as a free end. Accordingly, compared with the opposite configuration, that is, a configuration in which a pivot center is located in the upper part of the open/close structure in the closed state, and a lower part of the open/close structure in the closed state is taken as a free end when the open/close structure is opened forward relative to the apparatus, the open/close structure is less likely to interfere with access to the inside of the apparatus to thereby ensure easy access to the inside of the apparatus. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, the open/close structure is configured to be open further downward from a horizontal plane. According to the above aspect, since the open/close structure is configured to be open further downward from a horizontal plane, the open/close structure is further less likely to interfere with access to the inside of the apparatus to thereby further ensure easy access to the inside of the apparatus. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, a medium receiving tray is provided under the open/close structure, the medium receiving tray being configured to receive a medium outputted after recording is performed on the medium, in which the free end of the open/close structure which is in an open state is supported by the medium receiving tray. 
     In the above aspect, the medium receiving tray is provided under the open/close structure, the medium receiving tray being configured to receive a medium outputted after recording is performed on the medium, in which the free end of the open/close structure which is in the open state is supported by the medium receiving tray. Accordingly, when an external force is applied to the open/close structure in the open state, the medium receiving tray can support the open/close structure to thereby suppress breakage of the open/close structure. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, a medium receiving tray is provided under the open/close structure, the medium receiving tray being configured to be displaced between a retracted position and a protruded position, which is a position protruded forward relative to the apparatus from the retracted position, and configured to receive a medium outputted after recording is performed on the medium, in which the open/close structure which is in an open state is supported by the medium receiving tray which is in the retracted position or supported by a frame which is exposed on the apparatus front surface. 
     According to the above aspect, the open/close structure which is in the open state is supported by the medium receiving tray which is in the retracted position or supported by a frame which is exposed on an apparatus front surface. Accordingly, when an external force is applied to the open/close structure in the open state, the medium receiving tray or the frame can support the open/close structure to thereby suppress breakage of the open/close structure. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, the open/close structure which is in the open state closes an output path for the medium outputted toward the medium receiving tray. According to the above aspect, the open/close structure which is in the open state closes an output path for a medium outputted toward the medium receiving tray. Accordingly, a user can easily notice that the open/close structure is open, which makes it possible to reduce the open/close structure being left open, and reduce dust or the like entering the inside of the apparatus. Further, a form of the open/close structure closing the medium output path is not limited to a form in which the open/close structure fully closes the medium output path. The open/close structure is not required to fully close the medium output path, but may only be required to interfere with the medium output path and to be in contact with a paper sheet which is outputted. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, an upper unit is disposed above the recording unit that includes the recording section, in which the free end of the open/close structure which is in the closed state is located at a position between the upper unit and the operation panel in an apparatus depth direction. 
     According to the above aspect, the upper unit is disposed above the recording unit, in which the free end of the open/close structure which is in the closed state is located at a position between the upper unit and the operation panel in an apparatus depth direction. Accordingly, the open/close structure can be prevented from being unintentionally opened. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, a lock unit that locks the open/close structure in the closed state is provided. According to the above aspect, since the lock unit that locks the open/close structure in a closed state is provided, the open/close structure can reliably remain closed. 
     In the aspect of the present disclosure, the open/close structure the open/close structure includes a hand grip. According to the above aspect, since the open/close structure includes the hand grip, operability in opening and closing the open/close structure is improved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printer according to the disclosure in which an operation panel is closed, a cover is closed, and a sheet output tray is housed. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is open, the cover is closed, and the sheet output tray is housed. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is open, the cover is open, and the sheet output tray is pulled out. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is open, the cover is open, and the sheet output tray is housed. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is closed, the cover is closed, and the sheet output tray is pulled out. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is open, the cover is closed, and the sheet output tray is pulled out. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of a peripheral area of the cover in the printer according to the disclosure in which the cover is open, and the sheet output tray is pulled out. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional side view of a peripheral area of the cover in the printer according to the disclosure in which the cover is open, and the sheet output tray is housed. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is open, the cover is closed, and the sheet output tray is housed. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a peripheral area of the cover end (lock pin) in the printer according to the disclosure in which the cover is open, and the sheet output tray is pulled out. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional side view of a peripheral area of the cover end (lock pin) in the printer according to the disclosure in which the operation panel is closed, and the cover is closed. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the printer according to the disclosure in which a sheet feeding tray of an auto document feeder is lifted. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional side view of a portion having the sheet feeding tray of the auto document feeder in the printer according to the disclosure in which is provided. 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional side view of a peripheral area of a sheet feeding port in the printer according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional side view of a peripheral area of a feed roller in the printer according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional side view of a peripheral area of a feed roller in the printer according to the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the disclosure will be described. In the following description, an ink jet printer  1  (hereinafter, simply referred to as a printer  1 ) is described as an example of a recording apparatus according to the disclosure. However, techniques of recording onto a paper sheet, which is an example of a medium, are not limited to an ink jet method, and may include various techniques such as electrophotographic method and dot impact method. The disclosure can be applied to any of the types described above. Further, ink jet type printers include various types such as a type in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage, which is provided as a recording unit provided with a recording head, and a type in which an ink container is provided outside a carriage such that the ink container and the carriage are coupled via an ink tube. The disclosure can be applied to any of the types described above. The printer  1  according to the present embodiment is a type in which an ink container is provided outside a carriage such that the ink container and the carriage are coupled via an ink tube. Furthermore, ink jet type printers include various types such as a type in which a recording head is mounted on a carriage, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to a paper sheet transport direction, and a type in which a recording head formed in a size covering the entire area in the direction perpendicular to the paper sheet transport direction is not movable. The disclosure can be applied to any of the types described above. The printer  1  according to the present embodiment is a type having a movable carriage. 
     Throughout the drawings, the X-Y-Z coordinate system is indicated. The X axis direction represents an apparatus width direction and a paper sheet width direction, the Y axis direction represents a paper sheet transport direction in performing recording onto a paper sheet and an apparatus depth direction, and the Z axis direction represents an apparatus height direction and a gravity direction. Further, a direction in which a paper sheet is transported is referred to as “downstream”, and a direction opposite to the downstream is referred to as “upstream”. Furthermore, +Y direction is a direction oriented forward relative to the apparatus and −Y direction is a direction oriented backward relative to the apparatus. 
     The printer  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes an apparatus main body  2  having a recording function for performing recording onto a paper sheet, and a scanner unit  50 , which is an example of an image reading apparatus for reading a document, and disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body  2  as an upper unit. That is, the printer  1  is configured as a multi-functional machine. The scanner unit  50  is a so-called flatbed scanner, and includes an auto document feeding section  51  on the upper part of a reading unit  56  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) having a reading sensor  55  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of a CCD (charge coupled devices) type or a CIS (contact image sensor) type so as to automatically feed a plurality of documents. Reference number  52  denotes a sheet feeding tray that constitutes an auto document feeding section  51 , and a document which is set on the sheet feeding tray  52  is fed to a reading position by a feeding unit, which is not shown in the figure. Reference number  53  denotes a sheet output tray for receiving a document which is outputted after reading. Reference number  54  denotes a top cover configured to expose a document feed path. The auto document feeding section  51  per se is openable. When open, the auto document feeding section  51  exposes a document table, which is not illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Further, the sheet feeding tray  52  is rotatable about a shaft (not shown) disposed at one end (+X direction end) such that a free end (−X direction end) of the sheet feeding tray  52  can be lifted as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , and this ensures that a document outputted onto the sheet output tray  53  is taken out. However, the sheet feeding tray  52 , when rotated, may interfere with the top cover  54  and causes the top cover  54  to open. In view of this, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the top cover  54  is provided with an abutment section  54   a,  while the sheet feeding tray  52  is provided with a protrusion  52   a.  When the sheet feeding tray  52  is rotated, as illustrated by transition from the left view to the right view of  FIG. 13 , the protrusion  52   a  abuts the abutment section  54   a  to thereby push the top cover  54  downward. Accordingly, the top cover  54  can be prevented from being unintentionally opened when the sheet feeding tray  52  is lifted. 
     In addition, although the scanner unit  50  in the present embodiment is provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body  2 , a configuration without having the scanner unit  50 , that is, a configuration having a top plate instead of the scanner unit  50  may also be possible. Further, although the scanner unit  50  includes the auto document feeding section  51 , a configuration without having the auto document feeding section  51 , that is, a configuration having a cover that can expose a document table may also be used instead of the auto document feeding section  51 . 
     In the present embodiment, the reading unit  56  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the scanner unit  50  is pivotable relative to the apparatus main body  2  about a hinge (not shown) provided on the apparatus back side. When pivoting, the reading unit  56  can expose an upper side of the apparatus main body  2 , while the free end of the reading unit  56  on the apparatus front side is fixed to the apparatus main body  2  by a fixation unit (e.g., a screw), which is not shown in the figure. That is, the scanner unit  50  is not designed to be pivotable by a user (apparatus user), but is designed to be pivotable by a serviceman (a person providing service and maintenance of the apparatus). 
     Subsequently, an operation panel  27  is provided on the apparatus front surface. The operation panel  27  includes a plurality of operation buttons and a display. In the present embodiment, the operation panel  27  is configured as a user interface by which recording operation and image reading operation in the printer  1  are operated. The operation panel  27  is provided to be pivotable, that is, tiltable about a rotation shaft  27   a  ( FIG. 11 ). The operation panel  27  can be tilted to thereby switch between a first position ( FIG. 1 ) and a second position ( FIG. 2 ), which is closer to the horizontal position than the first position is. In the following description, the first position of the operation panel  27  ( FIG. 1 ) is referred to as a fully closed position, and the second position ( FIG. 2 ) is referred to as a fully open position. In the present embodiment, a panel surface of the operation panel  27  in the fully closed position extends along a vertical plane, and a sheet output port  8  is provided under the free end  27   b.  Further, the panel surface of the operation panel  27  in the fully open position extends along a horizontal plane. In addition, the position of the operation panel  27  can be held by a position holding unit, which is not shown in the figure. 
     Next, a configuration inside the apparatus main body  2  will now be described. In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a sheet feeding port  32  is provided on the apparatus back side such that a paper sheet can be fed through the sheet feeding port  32 . In  FIG. 5 , the dot and dash line T 1  indicates the transport path of a paper sheet which is fed from the sheet feeding port  32  and undergoes recording. A paper sheet feeding unit, which is not illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , is provided inside the sheet feeding port  32 . The paper sheet feeding unit includes a hopper  34  that support a paper sheet in an inclined position as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , and a feed roller  33  driven by a motor, which is not shown in the figure. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the paper sheet feeding unit includes a separation roller  38  that cooperates with the feed roller  33  to nip a paper sheet for separation, and a return lever  30  that returns a leading end of a paper sheet from a position adjacent to the nip position between the feed roller  33  and the separation roller  38  toward the upstream. 
     In  FIG. 15 , reference number  31  denotes a rotation shaft of the return lever  30 , and reference number  39  denotes a roller holder that supports the separation roller  38  in a rotatable manner. The roller holder  39  is rotatable about the rotation shaft  39   a,  and is pressed by a spring  40  in a direction in which the separation roller  38  is biased toward the feed roller  33 . Reference number  39   c  denotes a spring hook on which the spring  40  is hooked. Here, the roller holder  39  is accessible from under the apparatus. Accordingly, the roller holder  39  may be unintentionally pulled downward, which may cause the spring  40  to be elongated to a maximum or to be detached from the spring hook  39   c . However, since the roller holder  39  is provided with a stopper section  39   b , when the roller holder  39  rotates downward about the rotation shaft  39   a,  the stopper section  39   b  is caught by a recess  31   a  formed on the rotation shaft  31  of the return lever  30  so that downward rotation is regulated as illustrated by transition from  FIG. 15  to FIG.  16 . Accordingly, the spring  40  can be protected. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a plate shaped member  35  is provided above the hopper  34 . The plate shaped member  35  serves as a block plate that causes the circuit board  37  not to be clearly viewed through the sheet feeding port  32 . Here, providing the plate shaped member  35  may cause the leading end of the paper sheet which is in back feeding (the end which is a trailing end in recording) to be caught by the plate shaped member  35 . In view of this, the plate shaped member  35  is provided with a rib  36  such that the rib  36  reduces the leading end of the paper sheet which is in back feeding, being caught by the plate shaped member  35 . 
     Subsequently, referring back to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a paper sheet which is inserted for feeding through the sheet feeding port  32  is nipped by a transport roller pair  41 , and transported further downstream. On the downstream of the transport roller pair  41 , a paper sheet support section  44  that supports a paper sheet, and a recording head  43 , which is an example of a recording section that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of liquid, onto a paper sheet are disposed to face each other. The recording head  43  is provided on a carriage  42 , which is a recording unit, and the carriage  42  is reciprocated in a paper sheet width direction by a motor, which is not shown. Further, an ink container  5  (see also  FIGS. 1 to 4 ) is provided on the right side on the front surface of the printer  1 , and ink is supplied from the ink container  5  to the recording head  43  via an ink tube, which is not shown. The top of the ink container  5  is openable by an ink container cover  6 , and when the ink container cover  6  is open, ink can be refilled into the ink container  5 . 
     On the downstream of the recording head  43 , a discharge roller pair  45  is provided. After recording is performed, a paper sheet is outputted forward relative to the apparatus through the sheet output port  8  by the discharge roller pair  45 . The paper sheet, which is outputted forward relative to the apparatus, is received by a sheet output tray  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the sheet output tray  10  is composed of a tray main body  11  and an extender tray  12 , and is configured to be slidably displaced between a retracted position illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 8  and a protruded position illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 5 to 7 . The extender tray  12  is pivotable relative to the tray main body  11 , and as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when open, the extender tray  12  serves as a stopper that prevents an outputted paper sheet from being ejected out. Further, although the sheet output tray  10  in the present embodiment is configured to be pulled out and housed by a user, it may also be configured to be automatically slid by a power of motor, for example. 
     Moreover, a cover  15  is provided as an “open/close structure” on the inner side of the operation panel  27  provided on the apparatus front surface. The cover  15  is openable, and  FIGS. 2, 5 and 6  illustrate a state in which the cover  15  is closed, and  FIGS. 3, 7 and 8  illustrate a state in which the cover  15  is open. In the present embodiment, there are two forms of the state in which the cover  15  is open, which will be described later. The cover  15 , when open, allows an inner space  25  around the carriage  42  to be exposed under the operation panel  27  which has been tilted at least from the fully closed position into the horizontal direction as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and when closed, allows the inner space  25  to be closed as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In the present embodiment, the inner space  25  includes a reciprocation area of the carriage  42 . Further, the inner space  25  includes a paper sheet transport path from the transport roller pair  41  illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  to the downstream area. 
     As described above, the scanner unit  50  cannot be opened upward until the screw is removed. Accordingly, when a paper jam occurs inside the apparatus, the operation panel  27  and the cover  15  are opened to readily ensure an access path from the apparatus front side into the inner space  25  so that the paper jam can be removed. Here, since the operation panel  27  assumes a position that a user can easily operate when opened from the fully close position to a certain degree, it may remain in that position for a long period of time. When the operation panel  27  is held open to a certain degree for a long period of time, dust may enter the inside of the apparatus, which may damage a function of the apparatus. On the other hand, when the inner side of the operation panel  27  is formed of a fixed wall, a sufficient area cannot be ensured when a paper jam is removed from the apparatus front surface. However, by providing the openable cover  15 , it is possible to reduce dust or the like entering the inside of the apparatus when the cover  15  is closed, and to improve accessibility to the inside of the apparatus when the cover  15  is open. 
     Further, the cover  15  can be opened/closed when the operation panel  27  is tilted upward, that is, an area that can be opened/closed is ensured when the operation panel  27  is tilted upward. In the present embodiment, the cover  15  is not opened/closed at least in cooperation with the tilting operation of the operation panel  27 . In this sense, the cover  15  can be independently opened/closed. Accordingly, the cover  15  can be configured to be opened/closed in cooperation with components other than the operation panel  27 . Further, in another configuration, in which the operation panel  27  is opened/closed by a power of motor or the like and a sensor for detecting an open/closed states of the operation panel  27  and the cover  15  is provided, the cover  15  can be configured to be automatically closed, for example, when the cover  15  is open for a predetermined period of time with the operation panel  27  being open for a predetermined period of time. In such a configuration, the cover  15  can be regarded as being opened/closed in cooperation with the state of the operation panel  27 . 
     The cover  15  according to the present embodiment has a rotation shaft  15   a  ( FIG. 7 ), which is a pivot center located in the lower part of the cover  15  which is in the closed state, and is configured to open forward relative to the apparatus with an upper part of the cover  15  in the closed state taken as a free end. In  FIG. 7 , reference number  15   b  denotes the free end of the cover  15 . With this configuration, compared with the opposite configuration, that is, a configuration in which a pivot center is located in the upper part of the cover  15  in the closed state, and a lower part of the cover  15  in the closed state is taken as a free end when the cover  15  is opened, the cover  15  is less likely to interfere with access to the inside of the apparatus to thereby ensure easy access to the inside of the apparatus. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 3 , the cover  15  in the present embodiment is configured to be open further downward from the horizontal plane. Accordingly, the cover  15  is less likely to interfere with access to the inside of the apparatus to thereby ensure easier access to the inside of the apparatus. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the free end  15   b  of the cover  15  which is in the open state is supported by the sheet output tray  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 3 . Accordingly, when an external force F is applied to the cover  15  in the open state, the sheet output tray  10  can support the cover  15  to thereby suppress breakage of the cover  15 . In the present embodiment, the free end  15   b  of the cover  15  is configured to abut the tray main body  11  which constitutes the sheet output tray  10  when the sheet output tray  10  is in a protruded position. However, the free end  15   b  may not necessarily abut the sheet output tray  10  when the cover  15  is open, and a gap with a certain degree of opening may be formed between the free end  15   b  and the sheet output tray  10 . That is, a gap with a certain degree of opening is acceptable as long as the free end  15   b  of the cover  15  is supported by the sheet output tray  10  before the cover  15  is detached or broken by the external force F applied thereto. 
     Further, the cover  15  may assume an open position illustrated in  FIG. 8  in addition to the open positions illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 3 . That is, when the sheet output tray  10  is in the retracted position, the cover  15  abuts an end of the sheet output tray  10  which is in the retracted position as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 4  and a frame  9  exposed on the apparatus front surface, and is supported such that an open limit position is regulated. Accordingly, when the external force F is applied to the cover  15  which is in the open state as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the cover  15  can be supported by the sheet output tray  10  which is in the retracted position and the frame  9  ( FIG. 4 ) to thereby reduce the cover  15  being detached or broken. In the present embodiment, the cover  15  is supported by both the sheet output tray  10  and the frame  9 . However, the cover  15  may be supported by either one of the sheet output tray  10  and the frame  9 . 
     Further, the cover  15  in the open state as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 3  closes an output path of a paper sheet which is outputted toward the sheet output tray  10 . In  FIG. 7 , the line T 2  indicates the output path of a paper sheet. With this configuration, a user can easily notice that the cover  15  is open, which makes it possible to reduce the cover  15  being left open, and reduce dust or the like entering the inside of the apparatus. Further, a form of the cover  15  closing the paper sheet output path T 2  is not limited to a form in which the cover  15  fully closes the paper sheet output path T 2 . It is only required that the cover  15  interferes with the paper sheet output path T 2  and is in contact with a paper sheet which is outputted. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, a lock unit  16  is provided to lock the cover  15  in the closed state as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The lock unit  16  includes a lock pin  18  and a spring  17 . The lock pin  18  protrudes from the free end  15   b  of the cover  15  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and is configured to be slidably displaced relative to the cover  15  to that the protruded amount varies. The spring  17  presses the lock pin  18  in a protruded direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , an engagement section  57   a  is disposed on a frame  57  which constitutes the scanner unit  50  so that the lock pin  18  can engage with the engagement section  57   a  when the cover  15  is closed. When the cover  15  is closed, the lock pin  18  is first retracted resisting against a pressing force from the spring  17 , and then protrudes to thereby assume a lock state as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Thus, by providing the lock unit  16  that allows the cover  15  to be locked in the closed state, the cover  15  can reliably remain closed. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the free end  15   b  of the cover  15  in the closed state is located at a position between the scanner unit  50  and the operation panel  27  in the apparatus depth direction. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cover  15  from being unintentionally opened. 
     In addition, the cover  15  according to the present embodiment includes a hand grip  15   c  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4, 9 and 10 . In the present embodiment, the hand grip  15   c  has a shape of a notch on the free end  15   b  of the cover  15 . Since the cover  15  includes the above hand grip  15   c , operability in opening and closing the cover  15  is improved. 
     In addition, in the closed state of the cover  15 , the free end  15   b  faces the frame  57  which constitutes the apparatus main body  2  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 5 . Further, if a gap  19  between the free end  15   b  and the frame  57  is not ensured to a certain degree, the free end  15   b  may abut the frame  57  due to manufacturing tolerance or assembly tolerance of components, which disturbs the cover  15  from being closed. Therefore, a dimension k of the gap  19  is ensured to a certain degree. In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , since the hand grip  15   c  is formed on the free end  15   b , the gap  19  is also used as a hand grip area. With this configuration, the depth of the notch forming the hand grip  15   c  can be minimized to thereby reduce dust or the like entering inside of the apparatus main body. In addition, the hand grip  15   c  may not be limited to a notch shape, but may also be formed as a protrusion in a hand grip shape or a pull string provided on the front surface of the cover  15 . With this configuration, it is possible to reduce dust or the like entering the inside of the apparatus main body in a more reliable manner without forming a hole or notch for hand grip in the cover  15 . 
     The disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the disclosure.