Patent ID: 7949292

Claim:
A hinge apparatus to open and close a scanner cover of an image forming apparatus in which the scanner cover is pivotably connected to a main body of the image forming apparatus so as to open and close a document glass, the hinge apparatus comprising: a hinge body inserted into a coupling hole provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the hinge body movable in an up and down direction in the coupling hole, the hinge body including a housing chamber having an upper side opening, and a pair of supporting brackets provided adjacent to the upper side opening; a hinge cam of which a portion is coupled to the scanner cover, and of which another portion is rotatably coupled to the supporting brackets of the hinge body; and a pressure device comprising a pusher disposed to slide in the housing chamber of the hinge body, a pressure spring applying pressure to the pusher such that an upper surface of the pusher is in contact with a facing surface of the hinge cam, wherein a locking protrusion protrudes from the pusher so as to prevent the release of the pusher from the housing chamber, the locking protrusion slidably engaging with a guide slot formed on the hinge body, the guide slot restricting an up and down sliding movement of the locking protrusion.