Patent Publication Number: US-8113670-B2

Title: Image recording apparatus with pivotable display

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/478,432, filed Jun. 30, 2006, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-192144, filed on Jun. 30, 2005, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a structure of an image recording apparatus provided with a panel display device such as a liquid crystal panel unit which can display data such as an image and/or a letter. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventional uni-function devices such as inkjet printers, copying machines, and fax machines, conventional multi-function and uni-function image recording apparatuses having a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, and/or a facsimile function, and conventional electronic terminal devices are each provided with a display panel unit which informs an user of the instructions for achieving the functions of the associated device or recording apparatus, the present status of the device or recording apparatus, the procedure for operating the device or recording apparatus, and/or the like. 
     Japanese Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. 07-8879 describes an electronic terminal device having a main case and a display housing, which houses a flat and thin display element such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) element. The base end (lower end) of the display housing is connected to a surface (upper surface) of the main case such that the display housing can pivot up and down and be held at a suitable angle of inclination so that the information displayed on the screen on the display housing can be seen easily while the terminal device is used. 
     The lower end in the bask surface side of the display housing has a lead guide which is integrally formed on the lower end, and through which a filmy lead (a flexible flat cable) is extended (introduced) to the LCD element. The main case has an opening formed therein, and the lead guide can move into and out of the opening when the display housing pivots. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-269440 discloses an electronic device having a casing and a movable body which is provided with a liquid crystal panel. The movable body is arranged pivotably on the upper case of the casing. An arbitrary angle holding mechanism has a link member and a locking mechanism block, one of which is connected to the movable body, and the other of which is connected to the casing. One end of the link member is in movable engagement with the locking mechanism block and can be locked at a predetermined position by the locking mechanism block. The movable body has a cover formed integrally on its back surface. The cover takes the form of a substantially quarter circle in a side view and opens downwardly. The upper case has an opening formed therethrough, and the cover is accommodated in the opening or is exposed out of the opening when the movable body pivots. A flexible flat cable extends from the inside of the cover through an opening to the inside of the upper case and is connected to the printed board in this case. 
     In each of Japanese Utility Model Laid-open Publication No. 07-8879 and Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-269440, however, the cover or the lead guide for protecting the flexible flat cable is formed integrally with the case of the display housing. When the case (movable body) of the display housing pivots to a position or takes a posture substantially in parallel with the upper surface of the main case, the cover and the lead guide move through the opening of the main case deep into this case. This makes it necessary to form a space for the cover and the lead guide in advance in the main case. Accordingly, there is a problem that this main case becomes bulky. Further, for the cover and the lead guide formed integrally with the case (movable body) of the display housing, extra work is necessary for positioning the flexible flat cable through the cover and the lead guide. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a compact image recording apparatus having a simple structure for protecting its flexible flat cable. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus including: an apparatus body; a recording section which forms an image; a display panel which pivots up and down on a predetermined axis with respect to the apparatus body; and a covering member having a first end mounted pivotably on one of the apparatus body and the display panel and a second end engaged slidably with the other of the apparatus body and the display panel. 
     The covering member can be accommodated or stored substantially in parallel with the back surface of the display panel. As a result, a height in a state when the display panel is laid down is low so that the image recording apparatus can be compact. 
     Further, the display panel can be erected at an arbitrary angle on the front side or the like of the image recording apparatus. This enables a user to adjust the angular position of the screen of the display panel so as to sharpen the contrast of the image on the screen, thereby making the displayed image data and messages easily visible. 
     Furthermore, since the first end of the covering member is mounted pivotably on one of the apparatus body and the display panel, and the second end of this member engages slidably with the other of the apparatus body and the display panel. As a result, the covering member can reinforce the display panel so as to keep the panel engaging with the apparatus body (so as to prevent the display panel disengaging from the apparatus body) even if a user lifts the panel inadvertently. 
     The image recording apparatus of the present invention may further include: a flexible flat cable extending from a back surface of the display panel; and a guide opening formed in the apparatus body; wherein the flexible flat cable may be connected to an electrical component through the guide opening. 
     In the present invention, when the display panel is in a posture at which the display panel is erected substantially upright, the covering member is inclined downward toward the rear of the image recording apparatus, so that the flexible flat cable and the guide opening are positioned between and covered with the back surface of the display panel and the inclined covering member. Even when the display panel is laid down with its screen substantially facing upward (in parallel with the upper surface of the apparatus body), the back surface of the display panel covers and protects the flexible flat cable and the guide opening. This prevents a user from touching the flexible flat cable carelessly and keeps trash, dust and other foreign bodies from entering the image recording apparatus through the guide opening. In addition, it is simple to put or arrange the flexible flat cable through the guide opening. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus body may have an accommodation recess which is formed on an upper surface of the apparatus body, which is open upwardly, and in which the display panel is accommodable with the display panel assuming a posture in which a display screen of the display panel faces upwardly; wherein a pair of hinges may be provided at a bottom portion of the accommodation recess, the pair of hinges pivotably supporting a base portion of the display panel. 
     Accordingly, the display panel can be laid down in the accommodation recess. As a result, a height when the display panel is laid down is low so that the image recording apparatus can be compact. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, one of the display panel and the apparatus body may be provided with a guide groove with which the second end of the covering member engages slidably. 
     Accordingly, regardless of the angular position of the display panel, the second end of the covering member engages with the guide groove and can slide along it. This keeps the covering member engaging with the apparatus body and prevents trash and other foreign bodies from inadvertently entering in the back surface side of the display panel. 
     The image recording apparatus of the present invention may further include an anti-disengagement mechanism provided in the vicinity of the base portion of the display panel and the pair of hinges, the anti-disengagement mechanism including a contact part and an engagement part which engages with the contact part when the display panel is erected. 
     The anti-disengagement mechanism keeps the display panel from disengaging accidentally from the apparatus body even if a user lifts the panel. Further, the anti-disengagement mechanism regulates the forward pivoting movement of the display panel. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the covering member may be formed to have a shape of flat plate and may be flexible. 
     Accordingly, while the flat portion of the flexible covering member is curved or warped, the first and second ends of the covering member can be easily attached to the display panel or the apparatus body. In this case, the attached covering member is kept from disengaging accidentally from the display panel or the apparatus body. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, at least one hinge of the pair of hinges is provided with a latch mechanism which holds the display panel at different angles around the axis. 
     With this construction, the latch mechanism makes it very simple to hold the display panel at a posture having an angular position at which the screen is easily visible for the user. The latch mechanism also makes it very simple to adjust the angular position of the display panel. 
     In this case, the covering member is attached in a state that the covering member supports the display panel from the back surface thereof. This increases the strength with which the display panel is held at an angle at which the screen is easily visible. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a guide opening, through which the flexible flat cable extends, may be formed in a bottom portion of the accommodation recess; and a guide may be provided at the bottom portion of the accommodation recess around the guide opening, the guide preventing liquid from flowing downward into the guide opening. 
     In this case, even if liquid such as water is spilled accidentally on the bottom portion of the accommodation recess, the guide prevents the spilled liquid from flowing into the guide opening. This prevents the electrical components in the apparatus body from failing accidentally. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a display cover may be attached removably to the upper surface of the apparatus body; and the accommodation recess in which the display panel is accommodated, and entry keys for instructing a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus may be arranged in the display cover, the entry keys being arranged at the display cover on right and left sides respectively to intervene the accommodation recess therebetween. 
     In this case, it is simple to arrange the accommodation recess by attaching the display panel, which can pivot up and down, to the apparatus body and then mounting the display cover on the apparatus body in a state that the panel is erected. Since the entry keys are arranged in the display cover on the right and left sides of the display cover, it is easy to enter operating instruction messages etc. on the erected display panel during maintenance, replacement of parts or components, or the like. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the first end of the covering member may be pivotably mounted on the display panel; and the second end of the covering member may be slidably engaged with the apparatus body. 
     Alternatively, in the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the first end of the covering member may be pivotably mounted on the apparatus body; and the second end of the covering member may be slidably engaged with the display cover. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the back surface of the display panel may be flat. 
     In this case, a cover for protecting the flexible flat cable and/or a lead guide are not formed on the back surface of the display panel. Accordingly, when the display panel is accommodated in the accommodation recess while the display panel takes a posture such that its display screen faces upwardly (the display screen is substantially in parallel with the upper surface of the apparatus body), there is no need to form in the apparatus body in advance a space for accommodating the cover and/or the lead guide. This enables the apparatus body to be low in size. 
     In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the display panel is accommodated in the accommodation recess, the covering member may be accommodated in the accommodation recess to be in parallel with a back surface of the panel. 
     This makes it possible to accommodate the display panel and the covering member compactly in the accommodation recess. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus, showing its upper body opened widely upward from its lower body. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper cover  41  and a switch board  40  are mounted on the upper surface of the lower body. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the lower body from which the switch board  40  is removed. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional side view of a main portion of the image recording apparatus, showing its recording section and paper feeding section. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view in a state that a shield case and a main control board of the image recording apparatus are exploded. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a main portion of the upper cover of the image recording apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a partially cut-out enlarged perspective view of the main portion of the upper cover. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are back perspective views of a LCD panel unit of the image recording apparatus. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are a right side view and a left side view respectively of the LCD panel unit. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a movable hinge of the image recording apparatus. 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are a top view and a bottom view respectively of the movable hinge.  FIG. 12C  is a side view taken along line XIIc-XIIc in  FIG. 12B .  FIG. 12D  is a view taken along line XIId-XIId in  FIG. 12C . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of an attachment section to which the movable hinge is to be attached. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing an intermediate state that the movable hinge is being attached. 
         FIG. 15  is perspective view showing a state in which the movable hinge is attached in the attachment section, with the LCD panel unit omitted. 
         FIG. 16  is perspective view showing a state in which the movable hinge is attached to a portion on one side of the LCD panel unit. 
         FIG. 17A  is a left perspective view showing an upper surface of the display cover, and  FIG. 17B  is a bottom perspective view of the display cover. 
         FIG. 18A  is a right perspective view showing the upper surface of the display cover, and  FIG. 18B  is a bottom perspective view of the display cover. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the LCD panel unit viewed from the back surface thereof in a state that the LCD panel unit is erected in a roughly vertical posture. 
         FIG. 20A  is a plan view showing the relationship between a covering member and a guide groove, and  FIG. 20B  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XXb-XXb in  FIG. 20A . 
         FIG. 21  is a partially cut-out perspective view of the back surface side of a first end (base end) of the covering member. 
         FIG. 22  is a drawing for explaining a state in which the LCD panel unit is in the upright posture as viewed from a side surface of the movable hinge. 
         FIG. 23  is a drawing for explaining a state in which the LCD panel unit is in the laid-down posture as viewed from the side surface of the movable hinge. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the LCD panel unit in a second embodiment, as viewed from the back surface side of the LCD panel unit with the LCD panel unit being erected in a roughly vertical state. 
         FIG. 25A  is a plan view showing a relationship between a covering member and guide grooves in the second embodiment, and  FIG. 25B  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XXVB-XXVB in  FIG. 25A . 
         FIG. 26  is a partially cut-out perspective view showing the back surface side of a first end (base end) of the covering member in the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. An image recording apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment is a multi-function device (MFD) having printing, copying, scanning and faxing functions. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the image recording apparatus  1  has a lower body  2  as a housing (apparatus body), which is an injection molding of synthetic resin. 
     The image recording apparatus  1  also has an upper body  3 , which is another injection molding of synthetic resin. The upper body  3  is attached to the upper surface of the lower body  2  and can pivot up and down on a pivot axis  4  on one of the right and left sides of the lower body  2 . Specifically, when an opening  2   a  is formed on the front surface ( FIG. 1 ) of the lower body  2 , the pivot axis  4 , on which the upper body  3  pivots relative to the lower body  2 , is positioned on the left side of the lower body  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper body  3  can be held in an open position by a stay or strut  6 , one end of which is attached pivotably on the upper surface of the lower body  2 . 
     The upper body  3  has an image reading unit  5  incorporated in the upper body  3  for the copying and faxing functions. The image reading unit  5  is constructed of a glass plate and a contact image sensor (CIS)  8 . The upper body  3  also has a paper (document) cover  7 . With the paper cover  7  opened upward, a paper (document) can be placed on the glass plate. The contact image sensor  8  is displaced below the glass plate and reads an image on the paper placed on the glass plate. With reference to  FIG. 5 , the contact image sensor  8  is arranged to be reciprocapable along a guide rod  9  extending in a direction orthogonal to the sheet surface of  FIG. 5  (primary scanning directions, a direction along the Y axis in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The rear end of the paper cover  7 , which covers the upper surface of the image reading unit  5 , is hinged to the rear end of the upper body  3  so that the cover  7  can pivot up and down around its rear end. 
     The lower body  2  has an ink storage section  11  formed on one of its right and left sides (the right side in  FIG. 2 , which is farthest from the pivot axis  4 ). The storage section  11  is open at its top and stores ink cartridges (not shown) for different colors. In this embodiment, the storage section  11  stores ink cartridges containing black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) inks. The ink cartridges are connected through flexible supply tubes to an ink jet recording head  14  in a recording section  12 , which will be described later on. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , sheets of paper P are piled in a feed cassette  15  positioned detachably in the bottom portion of the lower body  2 . The feed cassette  15  is inserted through the opening  2   a  on the forward side (front side) of the lower body  2 . In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the feed cassette  15  is detached. In this embodiment, sheets of paper P as recording media can be piled in the feed cassette  15 , with their short sides (width) extending in a direction (primary scanning direction, direction along the Y axis) orthogonal to the paper feeding direction (direction indicated by an arrow “A”). The sheets P may be cut sheets of A4 size, letter size, legal size or postcard size, or the like. 
     An inclined separation plate  16  for sheet separation is arranged behind the feed cassette  15  (on the right side of the cassette  15  in  FIG. 5 ). The separation plate  16  is formed so as to project at a central portion in the width direction of paper P (Y-axis direction) and curves backward toward the right and left sides in the paper feeding direction in a plan view. The separation plate  16  is provided with an elastic sawtooth separation pad (not shown) in its middle portion in the width direction of the sheet P. The leading end of the sheet P come into contact with the separation pad, which facilitates the separation of the sheet P from another sheets P piled in the feed cassette  15 . 
     A paper feed mechanism  17  has a feed arm  17   a . A base end of the feed arm  17   a  is attached pivotably on the side of the lower body  2  so that the feed arm  17   a  can pivot upwardly and downwardly. A free end of the feed arm  17   a  is provided with a feed roller  17   b . The feed arm  17   a  is has a gear transmission mechanism  17   c  provided therein. The gear transmissions mechanism  17   c  in the feed arm  17   a  transmits torque from a motive power source (not shown) to the feed roller  17   b . The feed roller  17   b  and the elastic sawtooth separation pad of the inclined separation plate  16  cooperate to feed the sheets P in the feed cassette  15  separately one after one. A sheet of paper P which is separated so as to move in the feeding direction A is fed through a transporting (conveying) passage  18  including a portion substantially in the shape of a horizontally placed letter “U”, to the recording section  12  disposed above the feed cassette  15 . The transporting passage  18  is formed between a first transporting path body  18   a  and a second transporting path body  18   b  which define its U-shaped outer and inner peripheries respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the recording section  12  is formed between a first guide member  22  and a second guide member  23  which extend along the Y axis (in the primary scanning direction). The guide members  22  and  23  are supported by a main frame  21  in the shape of a box and a pair of side plates, which are positioned on the right and left sides of the frame  21 . The first guide member  22  is upstream of the second guide member  23  in a discharging direction (direction indicated by an arrow “B”). The ink jet recording head  14  in the recording section  12  is provided to a carriage  13  supported slidably by the guide members  22  and  23 , so that the carriage  13  can reciprocate along the Y axis. 
     A CR (carriage) motor (not shown) is fixed to the lower surface of the second guide member  23 , which is downstream of the first guide member  22  in the discharging direction B. A timing belt (not shown) is arranged on the upper surface of the second guide member  23  such that the timing belt extends in the primary scanning directions (the Y axis direction) over the second guide member  23 . The CR motor drives the timing belt, which reciprocates the carriage  13 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a flat platen  26 , which extends in the Y axis direction so as to face the lower surface of the recording head  14  on the carriage  13 , is fixed to the main frame  21  between the guide members  22  and  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a drive roller  27   a  and a nip roller  27   b , as a transporting (resist) roller pair, are arranged on an upstream the side, of the platen  26 , in the discharging direction (direction indicated by an arrow “B”). The conveying roller pair transports a sheet of paper P to a position below the recording head  14 . As described above, the conveying roller pair is constructed of the drive roller  27   a  and the nip roller  27   b  which is positioned below the drive roller  27   a  and biased against it. A discharge roller pair, constructed of a discharge roller  28   a  and a spur roller  28   b , is arranged on a downstream side, of the platen  26 , in the discharging direction (direction B). The discharge roller  28   a  is driven to transport, in the discharging direction B, the sheet P moving from the recording section  12 . The spur roller  28   b  is positioned over the discharge roller  28   a.    
     A sheet of paper P with an image recorded on a side thereof in the recording section  12  is discharged, with this recorded side facing upward, to a discharge tray  30  provided over the feed cassette  15 . The discharge tray  30  communicates with a discharge port  30   a  formed in common with the opening  2   a  on the front side of the lower body  2 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , a partition plate (lower cover)  31  made of a synthetic resin is formed integrally with the lower body  2 . The partition plate  31  extends to cover a portion above the discharge tray  30 , between the lower surface of the guide member  23  disposed in the downstream in the discharge direction B and the discharge port  30   a  on the front side of the lower body  2 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a main control board  33  for the recording section  12 , facsimile communication, etc. is arranged on the upper surface of the partition plate  31 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , the control board  33  is covered with a shield case constructing of an upper sheet metal member  32   a  and a lower sheet metal member  32   b  which are made of an iron sheet. The control board  33  is fixed to the lower sheet metal member  32   b  with machine screws. The lower sheet metal member  32   b  is fixed to the partition plate  31  with machine screws. With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  7 , an upper cover  41  made of synthetic resin is fixed with machine screws to cover a portion over the shield case. An LCD (liquid crystal display) panel unit  37 , which will be described later on, is attached pivotably on the upper cover  41 . A switch board  40  for a group of operation switches C and a group of operation switches D is fixed to a surface of the upper cover  41 . The operation switches C and D are positioned on the right and left sides of the LCD panel unit  37 , respectively. 
     Media connectors  35  and  36  are fixed to the upper surface of the main control board  33  and have slots  35   a  and  36   a  respectively, into which different types of recording media in the form of a card or a thin stick can be inserted. Each of the recording media may be Memory Stick (a registered trademark), Smart Media (a registered trademark), Compact Flash (a registered trademark), SD Memory Card (a registered trademark) or xD Picture Card (a registered trademark). With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the connector slots  35   a  and  36   a  are formed on the front side of the lower body  2  and positioned on one of the right and left sides of the LCD panel unit  37  (the display panel unit), which will be described later on. 
     USB ports  42  for USB connectors for communication with peripheral devices are provided on one or both of the right and left sides of a portion in which the LCD panel unit  37  is arranged. For example, in this embodiment, the USB ports  42  are provided between the vicinity of the ink storage section  11  in the lower body  2  (the right end in  FIGS. 2 to 4 ) and the rear of the LCD panel unit  37 . 
     Next, the arrangement of and the mounting (attaching) structure for the LCD panel unit  37  will be described below. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper body  3  is so connected to the lower body  2  as to pivot up and down on the pivot axis on one of the right and left sides (the left side in  FIG. 1 ) of the lower body  2 . The display cover  43  is arranged detachably to the upper cover  41  and positioned near the front edge of the upper surface of the lower body  2  at a substantially central portion in the Y axis direction (in right and left direction of the recording apparatus  1  when a user faces the recording apparatus). Namely, these covers  41  and  43  have engaging mechanisms such as elastic engaging nails (claws) for fixing them together. As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the display cover  43 , which is an injection molding of synthetic resin, includes entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b  rising integrally on its right and left sides respectively. The display cover  43  has an accommodation recess  45  formed between the entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b . The accommodation recess  45  is open at its top and front. The LCD panel unit  37  can be accommodated in the accommodation recess  45 . The entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b , which are substantially rectangular in plan view, are provided with groups of operation switches C and D, which are entry keys for different functions. The group of operation switches C, disposed on the right as seen from the front of the recording apparatus  1 , are entry keys which can be pressed selectively to display each of the functions. The group of operation switches C may be a photo capture entry key C 1 , a copy entry key C 2 , a facsimile entry key C 3  and a scanner entry key C 4 , which are arranged in vertical arrays. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper body  3  has an opening  44  in the shape of a cutout formed in a front portion of its upper surface. The opening  44  enables the display screen of the LCD panel unit  37 , the surfaces of the entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b , and the groups of operation switches C and D to be exposed visibly when the upper body  3  is closed by pivoting on the pivot axis (on the left side in  FIG. 1 ) toward the upper surface of the lower body  2 . In this embodiment, the opening  44  has a shape of “]” (bracket) which is rectangular in plan view and open at its front side. 
     The upper surface of the upper body  3  is provided with operation panel switches E and F on the right and lefts sides, respectively, of the opening  44 . The operation panel switches E and F are entry keys which can be pressed to instruct and display functions of the image recording apparatus  1 , and which have different functions. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the operation panel switches E and F are positioned on the right and left sides respectively of the opening  44 . The operation panel switches E are a start/stop entry key, a color copy start entry key, and a monochromatic copy start entry key, which are arranged in vertical arrays. The upper body  3  is also provided with a cross toggle entry key on the left side of the operation panel switches E, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The cross toggle entry key can be pressed to search the fax numbers registered in advance, adjust the volume on the telephone receiver of the image recording apparatus  1 , and the like. The operation panel switches F are ten keys for the entry of fax numbers etc., a management report output key, a fax number re-dialing entry key, etc. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  17  and  18 , three sides  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c  of the display cover  43  and three sides  44   a ,  44   b,    44   c  of the opening  44  are formed to be trapezoidal, inclined outward toward the bottom of the image recording apparatus  1  so that, when the upper body  3  closes relative to the lower body  2 , an operator&#39;s fingers would not be pinched between sharp edges at the places where the sides  44   a ,  44   b  and  44   c  of the opening  44  move close to the free edges of the LCD panel unit  37  and the sides  43   a ,  43   b  and  43   c  of the display cover  43 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the groups of operation switches C and D are positioned at the entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b  as allowance areas, between which the LCD panel unit  37  is positioned. This prevents the three sides  44   a,    44   b  and  44   c  of the opening  44  from interfering with the LCD panel unit  37  when the upper body  3  opens and closes relative to the lower body  2 , with the LCD panel unit  37  erected upright so as to face the user&#39;s side. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 16 , the base end (the front end) of the LCD panel unit  37  is supported by a hinge member (the pair of hinges) pair constructed of a right (left in  FIGS. 8 and 16 ) hinge  47  and a left hinge  49  so that the LCD panel unit  37  can pivot around the base end. The LCD panel unit  37  is constructed such that the LCD panel unit  37  can pivot between an upright posture (position) and a laid-down posture (position) in which its display screen is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the display cover  43 . The LCD panel unit  37  can be held in the laid-down and upright postures and inclined postures (positions) at suitable intervals between the two postures. 
     The structure for attaching the LCD panel unit  37  pivotably will be described below in detail. As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  7  and  8 , the hinge  47  of the pair, which is be referred hereinafter to as “fixed hinge  47 ”, is formed integrally on the upper surface, of the upper cover  41 , at a position near its front edge. With reference to  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  16 , the hinge  49  of the pair, which is referred hereinafter to as “movable hinge  49 ”, is attached detachably to the upper cover  41 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the fixed hinge  47  has a flange  47   a  in the form of a plate, a cylindrical pin (axis)  47   b , and a support  47   c . The flange  47   a  extends (projects) upward from the upper cover  41 . The pin  47   b  extends horizontally along the horizontal direction from the flange  47   a . The support  47   c  is connected to the flange  47   a  and has a contact part  50  which is formed to protrude to the lower surface on the front side of the lower body  2 . The contact part  50  serves as the contact part of a mechanism for preventing the LCD panel unit  37  from pivoting excessively upward. 
     As shown in FIGS.  11  and  12 A- 12 D, the movable hinge  49 , which is an integral injection molding of synthetic resin, has a base  49   a  in the form of a roughly rectangular block. A vertical flange  49   b  is formed at one end of the base  49   a.  A cylindrical axis  49   c  and a latch (latch craw section)  51  extend horizontally from the flange  49   b  away from the base  49   a . A length L 1  of the axis  49   c  is roughly twice the length of the pin  47   b  of the fixed hinge  47 . The latch  51  is formed to be fan-shaped (within a range of circular shape) and is positioned outside the cylindrical surface of the axis  49   c . The latch  51  has a first latch part  51   a  and a second latch part  52   b . The first latch part  51   a  extends from the outer surface of the flange  49   b  and is equal in length to the axis  49   c . One end of the second latch part  51   b  is flush with the outer ends of the first latch part  51   a  and the axis  49   c . The other end of the second latch part  51   b  is spaced at a predetermined length L 2  shorter than the length L 1  from the outer surface of the flange  49   b . The second latch part  51   b  is connected to a flat click-slide part  52 . 
     The base  49   a  has a first engagement nail  53   a  and a second engagement nail  53   b  which are flat. The first engagement nail  53   a  protrudes horizontally from the front end (near the outer surface of the flange  49   b ) of the base  49   a.  The second engagement nail  53   b  protrudes horizontally from the rear end of one side of the base  49   a . A third engagement nail  53   c  in the shape of an inverted “T” in a sectional view protrudes one side of the lower surface of the click-slide part  52 , near the first engagement nail  53   a . The base  49   a  also has an elastically deformable elastic part  54  extending from the rear end on other side of the base  49   a  in the same direction as the second engagement nail  53   b  protrudes. The elastic part  54  has an anti-disengagement nail  54   a  formed on its front end. The base  49   a  further has a hole  49   d  formed therethrough for engaging with a machine screw (not shown). The click-slide part  52  is connected to the upper surface of the third engagement nail  53   c  in the shape of an inverted T in a sectional view. The lower surface side of the click-slide part  52  serves as the contact part  52   a  of a mechanism for preventing the LCD panel unit  37  from disengaging upward. 
     The upper cover  41  has an attachment section  55 , which enables engagement and disengagement of the movable hinge  49 . The structure of the fixing section  55  will be described below. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 13 , the fixing section  55  is arranged in a position at which the attachment section  55  faces the fixed hinge  47  and is spaced from the fixed hinge  47  at a distance nearly equal to the width of the LCD panel unit  37 . The fixing section  55  includes a placement block  55   a , a contact block  55   b  L-shaped in plan view, an engagement block  55   c , and an anti-disengagement block  55   d  which protrude integrally from the upper cover  41 . The base  49   a  of the movable hinge  49  is placed on the placement block  55   a . Side surfaces of the base  49   a  can come into contact with the contact block  55   b . The placement block  55   a  has a hole  56   d  formed therethrough for engagement with the machine screw mentioned above. The contact block  55   b  has a first contact recess  56   a  and a second contact recess  56   b , into which the first engagement nail  53   a  and the second engagement nail  53   b  can respectively be inserted to move horizontally, and which prevent them from moving upward. The engagement block  55   c  has a third contact recess  56   c , into which the third engagement nail  53   c  can be inserted to move horizontally, and which prevents it from moving upward. The contact recesses  56   a - 56   c  correspond to contact parts respectively. The anti-disengagement nail  54   a  can engage with the anti-disengagement block  55   d  in a horizontal direction. 
     The upper cover  41  has a support block  55   e  protruding integrally from its front edge and positioned forward from the anti-disengagement block  55   d . The support block  55   e  can contact and support the lower end surface of the flange  49   b  of the movable hinge  49 . 
     The structure of the LCD panel unit  37  will be described below. As shown in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A,  10 B, etc., the LCD panel unit  37  has a case  59  which is roughly rectangular in front view. A display screen  37   a  is formed on the front surface of the case  59  and has a display area (about 42 mm×54 mm in this embodiment) which is also roughly rectangular in front view and is large enough to display a color image. The case  59  has bosses  60  and  62  formed on lower portions of both side surfaces, respectively of the case  59 . In this embodiment, the bosses  60  and  62  are formed on the left ( FIG. 10A ) and right ( FIG. 10B ) sides respectively of the case  59  when the display screen  37   a  is considered as the front side. The boss  60  has a bearing  61  formed in it in the form of a cylindrical hole, into which the pin  47   b  of the fixed hinge  47  can be inserted. The boss  62  has a bearing  63  formed on it in the form of a cylinder, into which the axis  49   c  of the movable hinge  49  can be inserted. The case  59  is supported pivotably by the inserted pins  47   b  and  49   c.    
     In order that the LCD panel unit  37  can be attached pivotably upwardly and downwardly (in erecting and lying manner) on the hinges  47  and  49 , first, the left bearing  61  of the LCD panel unit  37  is brought into engagement with the pin  47   b  of the fixed hinge  47 . Subsequently, with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the base  49   a  of the movable hinge  49  is placed on a portion of the placement block  55   a  of the attachment section  55 . At this time, the movable hinge  49  is so oriented that its axis  49   c  faces the bearing  63  on the right side surface of the LCD panel unit  37 . Subsequently, the movable hinge  49  is slid to the left in  FIG. 14  (in the direction in which the axis  49   c  approaches the bearing  63 ), so that the first to third engagement nails  53   a ,  53   b  and  53   c  engage with the first to third contact recesses  56   a ,  56   b  and  56   c , respectively. The movable hinge  49  is further pushed in this direction, so that the anti-disengagement nail  54   a  comes into compressive contact with the rear end of the anti-disengagement block  55   d , deforming the elastic part  54  against its elasticity. As a result, the anti-disengagement nail  54   a  engages with the anti-disengagement block  55   d , so that the movable hinge  49  cannot disengage from the fixing section  55  ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ). For easy understanding,  FIG. 15  shows the movable hinge  49  as set on the fixing section  55 , with the LCD panel unit  37  removed. 
     The engagement of the first to third engagement nails  53   a - 53   c  with the first to third contact recesses  56   a - 56   c  completely regulates the upward and downward movement of the movable hinge  49 , tightly fixing the movable hinge  49  and firmly attaching the movable hinge  49  to the upper cover  41 . The base  49   a  and the placement block  55   a  are fixed together by the machine screw for further reinforcement. 
     The boss  60  of the LCD panel unit  37  has a stepped portion  60   a  (the engagement part) formed at its one end. The boss  62  of the LCD panel unit  37  has a stepped portion  62   a  (the engagement part) formed at its one end. When the LCD panel unit  37  supported pivotably by the hinges  47  and  49  is substantially in the upright posture, the stepped portions  60   a  and  62   a  are in contact with the contact parts  50  and  52   a  of the hinges  47  and  49  respectively. This regulates the forward pivoting of the LCD panel unit  37  and keeps it from falling away from the image recording apparatus  1 . Accordingly, even if a user lifts the LCD panel unit  37 , it neither pivots further nor disengages accidentally. 
     With the LCD panel unit  37  attached between the hinges  47  and  49 , as stated above, and erected substantially in the upright posture, the switch board  40  is fixed in a predetermined position on the upper cover  41  (see  FIG. 3 ), and the display cover  43  as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  is fixed on the rear end side of the LCD panel unit  37 . The entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b  of the display cover  43  have cutouts  66   a  and  66   b  respectively formed through their respective inner walls  65 , between which the accommodation recess  45  is formed. The cutouts  66   a  and  66   b  are identical in shape with the edges of the flanges  47   a  and  49   b  of the hinges  47  and  49 . The edges of the flanges  47   a  and  49   b  engage closely with the cutouts  66   a  and  66   b  respectively. This keeps the appearance of the image recording apparatus  1  from being spoiled and contributes toward improving the fixing strength of the hinges  47  and  49 . 
     The case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  has a click  64  in the form of a metal plate spring, one end (base end) of which is fixed to the other side surface of the case  59  by screws or the like. The free end (tip end portion) of the click  64  is arranged to face a portion of the outer periphery of the bearing  63  of the LCD panel unit  37 . With the axis  49   c  of the movable hinge  49  engaging with the bearing  63 , the outer periphery of the bearing  63  and the arcuate inner peripheral surface of the latch  51  of the movable hinge  49  face each other. At this time, the click  64  engages elastically with the teeth of one of the latch parts  51   a  and  51   b . This structure is a latch mechanism. This structure makes it possible to adjust the inclination angle of the LCD panel unit  37  at suitable intervals between the laid-down posture ( FIG. 1 ) in which the display screen of the LCD panel unit  37  is substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b , and the upright posture in which the display screen is substantially vertical relative to a horizontal plane. This structure also makes it possible to hold the LCD panel unit  37  in the various postures at these intervals (see  FIGS. 2 ,  22  and  23 ). 
     When the posture of the LCD panel unit  37  becomes more like the laid-down posture at which the LCD panel unit  37  is substantially parallel with the bottom plate  45   a  of the accommodation recess  45  of the display cover  43 , the click  64  of the LCD panel unit  37  passes over the teeth of the second latch part  51   b  of the movable hinge  49  and reaches (positioned in) the click-slide part  52  of this hinge (see  FIG. 23 ), so that a user can turn the LCD panel unit  37  smoothly without feeling clicking. 
     A description will be provided below of the structure of the flexible flat (FF) cable  67  at the LCD panel unit  37  and the covering member  69  for protecting the cable. 
     The FF cable  67  extends outward from a portion in the vicinity of the lower edge in the back surface side of the case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37 . With reference to  FIGS. 17A-18B ,  19 , etc., the bottom plate  45   a  of the accommodation recess  45  of the display cover  43  has a first guide opening  70  in the shape of a cutout formed in a shape of “]” in a plan view, on the front side of the display cover  43 . With reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  15 , etc., the upper cover  41  has a second guide opening  71  in the shape of a roughly rectangular hole formed therethrough so as to overlap with the first guide opening  70  disposed above the second guide opening  71 . With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , the upper sheet metal member  32   a  of the shield case has a third guide opening  72  in the shape of a cutout formed in a shape of “]” in a plan view, on its front side below the second guide opening  71 . The FF cable  67  extends (is guided) through these three guide openings  70  to  72  and is connected to the main control board  33  as an electrical component. Signals can be transmitted from the main control board  33  through the FF cable  67  to the LCD panel unit  37  so that images can be displayed on the LCD panel unit  37 . The first to third guide openings (guide opening)  70  to  72 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A-10B , the covering member  69  is an integral molding of flexible synthetic resin in the form of a flat plate. The covering member  69  has a pair of pivot pins  73  extending outwardly in mutually opposite directions from the base end of the covering member  69 . The case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  has a pair of bosses  74  formed on its back surface above the position where the FF cable  67  extends from the case  59 . Each boss  74  has a cylindrical bearing hole  75  formed therethrough, in which one of the pivot pins  73  is supported rotatably. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 17A-20B , the display cover  41  has a pair of guide grooves  76  each formed in a corner portion between the bottom plate  45   a  of the accommodation recess  45  and the inner wall  65  of one of the entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b . The guide grooves  76  extend along the forward and backward direction (X-axis direction) in the lower body  2 . As shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B , each of the guide grooves  76  is constructed of a rear side portion and a front end portion. A width W 1  of the rear side portion is greater than a width W 2  of the front end portion. The covering member  69  has a pair of guide pins  77  extending outwardly in a mutually opposite directions from a second end (hereinafter referred to as “free end”) of the covering member  69 . Each of the guide pins  77  can slide along one of the guide grooves  76 . 
     Accordingly, when the LCD panel unit  37  assumed a posture in which the LCD panel unit  37  is erected substantially in the upright state (see  FIG. 2 ), as shown in  FIG. 19 , the covering member  69  is inclined in a downwardly rearward direction (away from the LCD panel unit  37 ) at about 45 degrees, with its guide pins  77  positioned at the front ends of the guide grooves  76 . Accordingly, the FF cable  67  and the first guide opening  70  are positioned between and covered with the back surface of the case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  and the covering member  69 . When the LCD panel unit  37  is laid down in the accommodation recess  45 , with the display screen  37   a  being flush with the surfaces of the entry key arrangement sections  46   a  and  46   b , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the free end side (the side of the guide pins  77 ) of the covering member  69  is positioned near the rear ends of the guide grooves  76 , with the covering member  69  accommodated substantially in parallel with the back surface of the case  59 . This makes the LCD panel unit  37  low in height when it is in the laid-down posture (position). In addition, the covering member  69  does not move into the lower body  2 , as is the case with conventional covers which protect FF cables. This makes it unnecessary to preset a vertical space for the covering member  69 , so that the image recording apparatus  1  can be compact. In this embodiment, with reference to  FIGS. 9A-10B  and  19 , the case  59  has a recess  59   a  formed on its back surface. When the LCD panel unit  37  is in the laid-down state, the covering member  69  is positioned completely within the recess  59   a , so that the LCD panel unit  37  is much lower in height. In addition, the FF cable  67  and the first guide opening  70  are positioned between and covered with the back surface of the case  59  and the covering member  69 . Thus, the covering member  69 , which is mounted on (attached to) the case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  such that the covering member  69  can be accommodated in the case  59 , covers and protects the FF cable  67  and the first guide opening  70 , regardless of the angular posture the panel unit  37  is assuming. This prevents users from touching the FF cable  67  carelessly and keeps trash, dust and other foreign bodies from entering the image recording apparatus  1  through the first guide opening  70 . 
     The pivot pins  73  and guide pins  77  of the covering member  69  are roughly semi-cylindrical having a cross-section in which the round axis is partially cut out. Because the covering member  69  is flexible as described above, its middle portion in the left and right direction can be curved so that the distance between the pivot pins  73  and the distance between the guide pins  77  can be shortened. This makes it easy to insert and attach the pins  73  and  77  into the cylindrical bearing holes  75  and the guide grooves  76 , respectively. With reference to  FIGS. 20A and 20B , the width W 2  of the front end portions of the guide grooves  76  is formed to be narrow as described above. Accordingly, when the LCD panel unit  37  is in the upright posture, it is impossible to shorten the distance between the guide pins  77  even if the covering member  69  is curved. This keeps the guide pins  77  from disengaging accidentally from the guide grooves  76 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the case  59  has a protrusion  79  formed on its back surface. A gap  80  is formed between the protrusion  79  and a side surface  74   a  of the boss  74  of the case  59 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the covering member  69  has a rib  78  protrudingly formed integrally on its back surface. The rib  78  include a vertical rib  78   a  formed on the base end side. When the LCD panel unit  37  is erected substantially in the upright state, the rib  78   a  is fit into the gap  80 , thereby regulating the distance between the pivot pins  73  from shortening even when the covering member  69  is curved. This keeps the covering member  69  from disengaging accidentally from the case  59 . 
     The bottom plate  45   a  of the accommodation recess  45  of the display cover  43  slopes gently downward toward the front side of the accommodation recess  45 . The bottom plate  45   a  is formed with a liquid passage  81  in the form of a bank and/or a groove formed on its upper surface and extending along the three sides of the first guide opening  70 , which has substantially a shape of “]” in plan view. Accordingly, even if liquid such as water is spilled on the bottom plate  45   a  or the covering member  69 , the liquid passage  81  keeps the liquid from dropping through the first guide opening  70 . This prevents electrical components such as the main control board  33  and the like in the image recording apparatus  1  from short-circuiting. 
     Likewise, as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  15 , the upper cover  41  has an upper surface sloping gently downward toward its front side. The upper cover  41  also has surrounding ribs  82  formed on its upper surface around the second guide opening  72  and third guide opening  73  in a plan view. Even if liquid drops on the upper cover  41 , the surrounding ribs  82  keep the liquid from entering these guide openings  71  and  72 . This further improves the short circuit prevention. The liquid passage  81  and the surrounding ribs  82  correspond to “the guide preventing liquid from flowing downward” in the claims. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8  and  15 , the upper cover  41  has a protrusion  84  formed on its upper surface on a side near its end which is away from the pivot axis on which the upper body  3  pivots (on a side away from a position at which the display cover  43  is arranged). When the upper body  3  has a recess (not shown) formed on its under surface with which the protrusion  84  is engaged, then when the upper body  3  is overlapped with (laid over) the lower body  2 , the protrusion  84  engages with this recess to keep the upper body  3  from shifting relative to the lower body  2 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 24 to 26 , a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained mainly about the point in which the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , a bottom plate  45   a  of the accommodation recess  45  of the display cover  41  has a pair of bosses  90  formed at a position behind the first guide opening  70  of the bottom plate  45   a . Each of the bosses  90  has a cylindrical bearing hole. A pair of pivot pins  73 , formed in the base end of the covering member  69  to protrude outwardly in mutually different directions, are supported rotatably by the bearing holes, respectively, of the bosses  90 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  has a recess  59   a , a pair of side walls  91 , and a pair of guide grooves  92  formed in the back surface of the case  59 . Each of the guide grooves  92  is formed in a corner at which a plane forming the recess  59   a  and one of the side walls  91  are intersected, and the guide grooves  92  extend from a side of the base end  96 ,  97  toward a side of the free ends  98 ,  99  respectively, of the LCD panel unit  37 . Hereinafter, ends of the guide grooves  92  on the side of the base ends  96 ,  97  are referred to as “first ends”, and the other ends of the guide grooves  92  on the side of the free ends  98 ,  99  are referred to as “second ends”. As shown in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , a width W 1  of the second ends of the guide grooves  92  is greater than a width W 2  of the first ends of the guide grooves. A pair of guide pins  77 , protruding in mutually outwardly, is formed in the covering member  69  on the side of the free ends, respectively, and the pair of guide pins  77  are slidable in the forward and backward direction along the pair of the guide grooves  92 . 
     Accordingly, when the LCD panel unit  37  assumes the posture in which the LCD panel unit  37  is erected substantially in the upright state (see  FIG. 2 ), as shown in  FIG. 24 , the covering member  69  is inclined downward at about 45 degrees, with its free end positioned at the first ends of the guide grooves  92 . With this, the FF cable  67  and the first guide opening  70  are positioned between and covered with the back surface of the case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  and the covering member  69 . When the LCD panel unit  37  assumes the posture at which the LCD panel unit  37  is laid down with the display screen  37   a  is oriented upward, namely when the LCD panel unit  37  is accommodated in the accommodation recess  45  (see  FIG. 1 ), the side of the free end (the side of the guide pins  77 ) of the covering member  69  is positioned at the second ends of the guide grooves  92 , with the covering member  69  being accommodated between the apparatus body of the image recording apparatus  1  and the LCD panel unit  37  such that the back surface of the case  59  is substantially in parallel with the covering member  69 . This makes the LCD panel unit  37  low in height when the LCD panel unit  37  is in the laid-down state. In addition, the covering member  69  does not move into the lower body  2 , as is the case with conventional covers which protect FF cables. This makes it unnecessary to preset a vertical space for the covering member  69 , so that the image recording apparatus  1  can be compact. In this embodiment also, when the LCD panel unit  37  is in the laid-down state, the covering member  69  is positioned completely within the recess  59   a  (see  FIG. 24 ) of the case  59 , so that the LCD panel unit  37  is much lower in height. Further, the FF cable  67  and the first guide opening  70  are positioned between and covered with the back surface of the case  59  and the covering member  69 . Thus, the covering member  69 , which is attached to the case  59  of the LCD panel unit  37  such that the covering member  69  can be accommodated with respect to the case  59 , covers and protects the FF cable  67  and the first guide opening  70 , regardless of the angular postures which the LCD panel unit  37  assumes. This prevents users from touching the FF cable  67  carelessly and keeps trash, dust and other foreign bodies from entering the image recording apparatus  1  through the first guide opening  70 . 
     The pivot pins  73  and guide pins  77  of the covering member  69  are roughly semi-cylindrical having a cross-section in which the round axis is partially cut out. Since the covering member  69  is flexible as stated above, the central portion of the covering member in the left and right direction can be curved so that the distance between the pivot pins  73  and the distance between the guide pins  77  can be shortened. This makes it easy to insert and attach the pins  73  and  77  into the pair of cylindrical bearing holes  93  and the pair of guide grooves  92  respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , the width W 2  of the first ends of the guide grooves  92  is narrow as stated above. Accordingly, when the LCD panel unit  37  is in the upright posture, it is impossible to shorten the distance between the guide pins  77  even if the covering member  69  is curved. This keeps the free end portion of the covering member  69  from disengaging accidentally from the guide grooves  92 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the bottom plate  45   a  of the accommodation recess  45  has a protrusion  94 . A gap  95  is formed between the protrusion  94  and an inner side surface  90   a  of the boss  90  formed on the bottom plate  45   a . As shown in  FIG. 26 , the covering member  69  has a rib  78  formed integrally on its back surface. The rib  78  include a vertical rib  78   a  protrudingly formed on a side of the base end. When the LCD panel unit  37  is erected substantially in the upright state, the rib  78   a  is fitted to or engages with the gap  95 . Even if the covering member  69  is curved, the engagement of the rib  78   a  with the gap  95  keeps the distance between the pivot pins  73  from shortening. This keeps the covering member  69  from disengaging accidentally from the display cover  41 . 
     In each of the embodiments, the latch mechanism (mechanism for adjusting the angular posture of the LCD panel unit  37  and for holding the LCD panel unit  37  in different angular postures) is constructed of the latch  51  provided to the movable hinge  49  and the click  64  arranged on the side of the case  59 . However, the latch mechanism may be replaced by sawtooth latches formed in the guide grooves along which the free end of the covering member  69  can be guided slidably. 
     When the LCD panel unit  37  is configured such that the LCD panel unit  37  may pivot between the horizontal and upright postures and may be held at any angle between these postures, it is easy for a user to adjust the view angle at which the LCD panel unit  37  is clearly visible, without shifting user&#39;s face or otherwise varying user&#39;s posture so that user&#39;s line of sight can be substantially orthogonal to the display screen of the LCD panel unit  37 . This also makes it easy to adjust the contrast on the LCD panel unit  37  so as to keep the contrast sharp. 
     In each of the embodiments, although the FF cable  67  is used to transmit signals from the main control board  33  to the LCD panel unit  37  so that images can be displayed on the screen, any cable or wiring, such as a harness with ordinary copper wires covered with film, may be used instead of the FF cable  67 . 
     In each of the embodiments, the FF cable  67  and the guide opening  70  are covered with the back surface of the LCD panel unit  37  and the covering member  69 . Alternatively, the FF cable  67  and the guide opening  70  may not exist (may be omitted). Instead, a member such as a circuit board may be arranged. In this case, since the back surface of the LCD panel unit  37  is covered with the covering member  69 , the image recording apparatus  1  is excellent in terms of design. In addition, since the circuit board and the like are covered with the covering member  69 , users are kept from touching them inadvertently. 
     In each of the embodiments, although the covering member  69  has a pair of base ends and a pair of free ends, the covering member may have one base end and one free end, both of which may be arranged at the center position in the width direction of the covering member  69 . 
     Needless to say, the present invention can be applied not only to the multi-function image recording apparatus  1  but also to uni-function image recording apparatuses such as printers, copying machines, and fax machines, with results similar to the foregoing results.