Source: http://patents.com/us-8016412.html
Timestamp: 2018-06-24 22:22:57
Document Index: 380547791

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 385', 'art-385', 'art 380', 'Application No. 2005', 'Application No. 2005', 'art 50', 'art 50', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 52', 'art 52', 'art 54', 'art 54', 'art 52', 'art 52', 'art 52', 'art 54', 'art) 60', 'art) 62', 'arts 50', 'arts 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 51', 'art 52']

US Patent # 8,016,412. Image recording apparatus and method of producing image recording apparatus - Patents.com
United States Patent 8,016,412
Kawai , et al. September 13, 2011
Image recording apparatus and method of producing image recording apparatus
Inventors: Kawai; Takamitsu (Obu, JP), Ishida; Kazuhito (Ichinomiya, JP)
Appl. No.: 11/478,437
Jun 30, 2005 [JP] 2005-192646
Current U.S. Class: 347/108 ; 347/2
Current International Class: B41J 29/13 (20060101); B41J 3/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 347/108,101,2 346/145 353/119 355/21 358/1.1 399/81
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HP Photosmart 385 Compact Photo Printer; Amazon.com; First published Jun. 29, 2005 (by Amazon.com); http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photosmart-385-Compact-Photo-Printer/dp/B000A3P3V- S; pp. 1-4. cited by examiner .
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1. An image recording apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; a display unit; a first shaft, a first bearing, a second shaft and a second bearing which support the display unit pivotably to the apparatus body; a separate part which is formed unintegrally from the apparatus body, the separate part comprising the first shaft or the first bearing, and configured to move between an inserted position where the first shaft is inserted in the first bearing and an uninserted position where the first shaft is apart from the first bearing; an engaging part which is provided to the apparatus body; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the separate part with respect to the engaging part in response to a movement of the separate part, in a first direction, from the uninserted position to the inserted position, such that the separate part is prevented from moving from the inserted position to the uninserted position, wherein: the locking mechanism comprises a first locking part and a second locking part unintegral with the first locking part; the first locking part is configured to move in response to the movement of the separate part; the second locking part is stationary relative to the engaging part; the first locking part is apart from the second locking part in a second direction opposite to the first direction, when the separate part is in the uninserted position; the first locking part is in a locking position adjacent to the second locking part and is shifted in the first direction relative to the second locking part, when the separate part is in the inserted position; and the second locking part is configured to prevent the first locking part from passing over the second locking part in the second direction.
FIG. 24 shows a state in which a flange 49 of a movable hinge 49 is fitted to a cutout 66b.
FIG. 25 is a flow chart schematically showing a process for producing the image recording apparatus of the present invention.
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 2a 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, postcard size, or the like.
A paper feed mechanism 17 has a feed arm 17a. A base end of the feed arm 17a is attached pivotably on the side of the lower body 2 so that the feed arm 17a can pivot upwardly and downwardly. A free end of the feed arm 17a is provided with a feed roller 17b. The feed arm 17a is has a gear transmission mechanism 17c provided therein. The gear transmissions mechanism 17c in the feed arm 17a transmits torque from a motive power source (not shown) to the feed roller 17b. The feed roller 17b 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 (at a position higher than) the feed cassette 15. The transporting passage 18 is formed between a first transporting path body 18a and a second transporting path body 18b 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.
As shown in FIG. 2, a drive roller 27a and a nip roller 27b, 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 27a and the nip roller 27b which is positioned below the drive roller 27a and biased against it. A discharge roller pair, constructed of a discharge roller 28a and a spur roller 28b, is arranged on a downstream side, of the platen 26, in the discharging direction (direction B). The discharge roller 28a is driven to transport, in the discharging direction B, the sheet P moving from the recording section 12. The spur roller 28b is positioned over the discharge roller 28a.
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 30a formed in common with the opening 2a 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 second guide member 23 disposed in the downstream in the discharge direction B and the discharge port 30a 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 32a and a lower sheet metal member 32b which are made of an iron sheet. The control board 33 is fixed to the lower sheet metal member 32b with machine screws. The lower sheet metal member 32b 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 switchboard 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. The switch board 40 for the groups of operation switches C and D is attached, together with the groups of operation switches C and D, to the back surface of a display cover 43. When the display cover 43 is mounted on and fixed to the upper cover 41, the switch board 40 is fixed between the upper cover 41 and the display cover 43.
Media connectors 35 and 36 are fixed to the upper surface of the main control board 33 and have slots 35a and 36a 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 35a and 36a are formed on the front side of the lower body 2 and positioned to be open on one of the right and left sides of the LCD panel unit 37 (the display panel unit), which will be described later on.
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 46a and 46b 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 46a and 46b. 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 46a and 46b, 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 C1, a copy entry key C2, a facsimile entry key C3 and a scanner entry key C4, 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 46a and 46b, 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.
With reference to FIGS. 2, 17 and 18, three sides 43a, 43b, 43c of the display cover 43 and three sides 44a, 44b, 44c 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's fingers would not be pinched between sharp edges at the places where the sides 44a, 44b and 44c of the opening 44 move close to the free edges of the LCD panel unit 37 and the sides 43a, 43b and 43c 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 46a and 46b as allowance areas, between which the LCD panel unit 37 is positioned. This prevents the three sides 44a, 44b and 44c 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's side.
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 formed unintegrally from (formed as a separate body from) the upper cover 41 and is attached detachably to the upper cover 41.
With reference to FIG. 8, the fixed hinge 47 has a flange 47a in the form of a plate, a cylindrical pin (axis) 47b, and a support 47c. The flange 47a extends (projects) upward from the upper cover 41. The pin 47b extends horizontally in the horizontal direction from the flange 47a. The support 47c is connected to the flange 47a 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 12A-12D, the movable hinge 49, which is an integral injection molding of synthetic resin, has a base 49a in the form of a roughly rectangular block. A vertical flange 49b is formed at one end of the base 49a. A cylindrical axis 49c and a latch (latch nail) 51 extend horizontally from the flange 49b away from the base 49a. A length L1 of the axis 49c is roughly twice the length of the pin 47b 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 49c. The latch 51 has a first latch part 51a and a second latch part 51b. The first latchpart 51a extends from the outer surface of the flange 49b and is equal in length to the axis 49c. One end of the second latch part 51b is flush with the outer ends of the first latch part 51a and the axis 49c. The other end of the second latch part 51b is spaced at a predetermined length L2 shorter than the length L1 from the outer surface of the flange 49b. The second latch part 51b is connected to a flat click-slide part 52.
The base 49a has a first engagement nail 53a and a second engagement nail 53b which are flat. The first engagement nail 53a protrudes horizontally from the front end (near the outer surface of the flange 49b) of the base 49a. The second engagement nail 53b protrudes horizontally from the rear end of one side of the base 49a. A third engagement nail 53c 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 53a. The three engagement nails 53a to 53c protrude in parallel with the axes of bearings 61 and 63 and toward the bearing 63. The bearings 61 and 63 are in the shape of holes, which are attachment-objective parts formed on the right and left sides of the LCD panel unit 37. The base 49a also has an elastically deformable elastic part 54 extending from the rear end on other side of the base 49a in the same direction as the second engagement nail 53b protrudes. The elastic part 54 has an anti-disengagement nail 54a formed on its front end. The base 49a further has a hole 49d 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 53c 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 52a of a mechanism for preventing the LCD panel unit 37 from disengaging upward.
The upper cover 41 has a fixing section 55 (engaging part), 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 fixing 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 55a, a contact block 55b L-shaped in plan view, an engagement block 55c, and an anti-disengagement block 55d which protrude integrally from the upper cover 41. The base 49a of the movable hinge 49 is placed on the placement block 55a. Side surfaces of the base 49a can come into contact with the contact block 55b. The placement block 55a has a hole 56d formed therethrough for engagement with the machine screw mentioned above. The contact block 55b has a first contact recess 56a and a second contact recess 56b, into which the first engagement nail 53a and the second engagement nail 53b can respectively be inserted to move horizontally, and which prevent them from moving upward. The engagement block 55c has a third contact recess 56c, into which the third engagement nail 53c can be inserted to move horizontally, and which prevents it from moving upward. These contact recesses 56a to 56c correspond to key receiving parts for the first to third engagement nails 53a to 53c, respectively.
Further, it is constructed such that when the movable hinge 49 is advanced in a direction which is a horizontal direction and approaching toward the bearing 63, the anti-disengagement nail 54a engages with the anti-disengagement block 55d, thereby preventing the movable hinge 49 from retreating in opposite direction.
The upper cover 41 has a support block 55e protruding integrally from its front edge and positioned forward from the anti-disengagement block 55d. The support block 55e can contact and support the lower end surface of the flange 49b of the movable hinge 49.
Next, the structure of the LCD panel unit 37 will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, etc., the LCD panel unit 37 has a case 59 which is roughly rectangular in front view. A display screen 37a is formed on the front surface of the case 59 and has a display area (about 42 mm.times.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 37a 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 47b 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 49c of the movable hinge 49 can be inserted. The case 59 is supported pivotably by the inserted pins 47b and 49c.
In order that the LCD panel unit 37 can be attached pivotably upwardly and downwardly (in erecting and lying manner) on the fixed hinge 47 and the movable hinge 49, first, the left bearing 61 of the LCD panel unit 37 is brought into engagement with the pin 47b of the fixed hinge 47. Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the base 49a of the movable hinge 49 is placed on a portion of the placement block 55a of the fixing section 55. At this time, the movable hinge 49 is so oriented that its axis 49c 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 49c approaches the bearing 63), so that the first to third engagement nails 53a, 53b and 53c engage with the first to third contact recesses 56a, 56b and 56c, respectively. The movable hinge 49 is further pushed in this direction, so that the anti-disengagement nail 54a comes into compressive contact with the rear end of the anti-disengagement block 55d, deforming the elastic part 54 against its elasticity. As a result, the anti-disengagement nail 54a engages with the anti-disengagement block 55d, so that the movable hinge 49 cannot retreat from (cannot be disengaged 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 53a to 53c with the first to third contact recesses 56a to 56c 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 49a and the placement block 55a are fixed together by the machine screw for further reinforcement.
The boss 60 of the LCD panel unit 37 has a stepped portion (contact-objective part) 60a formed at its one end. The boss 62 of the LCD panel unit 37 has a stepped portion (contact-objective part) 62a 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 60a and 62a are in contact with the contact parts 50 and 52a 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, and the display cover 43 to which the switch board 40 has been fixed or assembled, is fixed on the rear end side of the LCD panel unit 37. The entry key arrangement sections 46a and 46b of the display cover 43 have cutouts 66a and 66b respectively formed through their respective inner walls 65, between which the accommodation recess 45 is formed. The cutouts 66a and 66b are identical in shape with the edges of the flanges 47a and 49b of the hinges 47 and 49, respectively. The edges of the flanges 47a and 49b engage closely with the cutouts 66a and 66b 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. FIG. 24 shows a state in which the flange 49b of the movable hinge 49 is fitted to the cutout 66b.
Further, switch holes 83 are formed through the surfaces of the pair of the entry key arrangement sections 46a and 46b in the display cover 43. The switch holes 83 for arranging the groups of operation switches C and D therein, respectively (see FIGS. 17 and 18). Furthermore, ribs 86a, 86b are formed integrally with the inner surfaces of the entry key arrangement sections 46a and 46b. In the ribs 86a, 86b, switch bodies 85 (see FIG. 19) can be arranged corresponding to the switch holes 83, respectively, such that the switch bodies 85 are movable in up and down direction. Among these ribs, the ribs 86b in the entry key arrangement section 46b, which is disposed at the right side when the image recording apparatus 1 is seen at the side of the user facing the apparatus, are formed to have a partition wall shape which is substantially rectangular in a bottom view, such that the ribs 86b partition the inner space of the entry key arrangement section 46b into portions at which the switch bodies 85 are arranged therein, respectively (see FIGS. 17B and 18B). On the other hand, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 87 are provided on the surface of the switch board 40 as light sources corresponding to the switch portions respectively. Each of the LEDs 87 is arranged to correspond to one of the partitioned spaces partitioned by the ribs 86b (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, it is constructed such that, when the LEDs 87 emit light, the light is irradiated only upwardly via the switch bodies 85 which are translucent or transparent.
As described above, when the display cover 43 is fixed to and cover the fixed hinge 47 and the movable hinge 49, the surfaces or end surfaces of the ribs 86a, 86b contact with the back surfaces of the flange 47a of the fixed hinge 47 and the flange 49b of the movable hinge 49. Accordingly, the flanges 47a, 49b are restrained (regulated) by the ribs 86a, 86b such that the flanges 47a, 49b cannot be displaced for widening the distance therebetween. In particular, the ribs 86b in the shape of partition wall are hardly warped and deformed. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a substantial effect of holding the distance between the flanges 47a and 49b to be constant (maintaining the flanges 47a and 49b in the fixed state).
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 49c 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 51a and 51b. 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 46a and 46b, 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).
As described above, the first latch part 51a and the second latch part 51b, sliding with the click 64 in the form of a metal plate spring, are easily worn. Therefore, when the movable hinge 49 is entirely formed by using a high-functional synthetic resin material having wear-resistant property and sliding-resistant property (with low friction property) such as nylon (polyamide) resin, polyacetal resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like, the durability is enhanced. In addition, by using a synthetic resin having a low thermal shrinkage for forming the injection molding, it is possible to improve the size precision in the axis and the bearing and the size precision in the engaging recesses and the engaging parts (nails), thereby preventing the rattling between the parts and to ensure the firm fixing therebetween.
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 45a 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 51b 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.
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 45a 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 32a 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.
With reference to FIGS. 17A to 20B, the display cover 41 has a pair of guide grooves 76 each formed in a corner portion between the bottom plate 45a of the accommodation recess 45 and the inner wall 65 of one of the entry key arrangement sections 46a and 46b. 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 W1 of the rear side portion is greater than a width W2 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 37a being flush with the surfaces of the entry key arrangement sections 46a and 46b, 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 59a 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 59a, 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 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 fist guide opening 70.
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 74a 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 78a formed on the base end side. When the LCD panel unit 37 is erected substantially in the upright state, the rib 78a 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 45a 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 45a 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 45a 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.
In this embodiment, the bearings 61, 63 in the form of a cylindrical hole are formed, as the attachment-objective part, in the left and right sides respectively of the LCD panel unit 37; and the axes (pins) 47b, 49c in the form of round axis are formed in the fixed hinge 47 and the movable hinge 49, respectively, thereby making it possible to suppress the width in the left and right portions of the LCD panel unit 37. This relationship in the formation of the bearing and axes, however, may be opposite with respect to the LCD panel unit 37 and the fixed and movable hinges 47, 49. Namely, a construction may be adopted in which the axes are formed protrudingly in the left and right sides, respectively, of the LCD display unit 37 and the holes for axes, as the attachment-objective parts, may be formed in the fixed and movable hinges 47 and 49.
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