Fixing element for fixing covers, cover device and multifunction printer

{
  "publication_number": "US8977164B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Fixing element for fixing covers, cover device and multifunction printer",
  "abstract": "A fixing element, a cover device and a multifunction printer are provided. The multifunction printer includes a machine body, the cover device and the fixing element. The cover device is disposed on the machine body and includes a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover. The fixing element passes through and is fixed on the second cover. The first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A fixing element, comprising: a cylinder; a first locking hook connected to the cylinder, wherein a locking direction of the first locking hook is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder; a guiding column connected to the cylinder, wherein the guiding column and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder; and a second locking hook connected to the cylinder and located beside the guiding column, wherein the second locking hook and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder, and a locking direction of the second locking hook is perpendicular to a radial direction of the cylinder.",
    "2. The fixing element according to claim 1, wherein the guiding column comprises a guiding inclined plane, and the guiding inclined plane inclines along the axial direction.",
    "3. The fixing element according to claim 1, wherein the guiding column further comprises a third locking hook, and an end of a first spring is connected to the third locking hook.",
    "4. The fixing element according to claim 3, wherein a locking direction of the third locking hook is different from the locking direction of the first locking hook.",
    "5. The fixing element according to claim 1, wherein the second locking hook further comprises a fourth locking hook, and an end of a second spring is connected to the fourth locking hook.",
    "6. The fixing element according to claim 5, wherein a locking direction of the fourth locking hook is the same as the locking direction of the second locking hook.",
    "7. A cover device, comprising: a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover; and a fixing element passing through and being fixed on the second cover, wherein the fixing element comprises: a cylinder; a first locking hook connected to the cylinder, wherein a locking direction of the first locking hook is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder, and the first locking hook is for being fastened with the first limiting portion of the first cover; a guiding column connected to the cylinder, wherein the guiding column and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder; and a second locking hook connected to the cylinder and located beside the guiding column, wherein the second locking hook and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder, a locking direction of the second locking hook is perpendicular to a radial direction of the cylinder, and the second locking hook is for being fastened with the second limiting portion, the first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.",
    "8. The cover device according to claim 7, wherein the first cover comprises a first limiting portion, and the third cover comprises a second limiting portion.",
    "9. The cover device according to claim 8, wherein the first limiting portion or the second limiting portion is a locking hook or an opening.",
    "10. The cover device according to claim 8, wherein the first cover further comprises a third limiting portion located beside the first limiting portion.",
    "11. The cover device according to claim 10, wherein the third limiting portion is a limiting bump.",
    "12. The cover device according to claim 8, wherein the guiding column comprises a guiding inclined plane, and the guiding inclined plane inclines along the axial direction.",
    "13. The cover device according to claim 12, wherein the third cover further comprises a guiding bump, the guiding bump comprises a guiding plane, and the guiding inclined plane of the guiding column contacts the guiding plane.",
    "14. The cover device according to claim 8, further comprising a first spring, the guiding column further comprising a third locking hook, wherein an end of the first spring is connected to the third locking hook.",
    "15. The cover device according to claim 14, wherein a locking direction of the third locking hook is different from the locking direction of the first locking hook.",
    "16. The cover device according to claim 8, further comprising a second spring, the second locking hook further comprising a fourth locking hook, wherein an end of a second spring is connected to the fourth locking hook.",
    "17. The cover device according to claim 16, wherein a locking direction of the fourth locking hook is the same as the locking direction of the second locking hook.",
    "18. A multifunction printer, comprising: a machine body; a cover device disposed in the machine body and comprising a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover; and a fixing element passing through and being fixed on the second cover, wherein the fixing element comprises: a cylinder; a first locking hook connected to the cylinder, wherein a locking direction of the first locking hook is parallel to an axial direction of the cylinder, and the first locking hook is for being fastened with the first limiting portion of the first cover; a guiding column connected to the cylinder, wherein the guiding column and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder; and a second locking hook connected to the cylinder and located beside the guiding column, wherein the second locking hook and the first locking hook are located on opposite sides of the cylinder, a locking direction of the second locking hook is perpendicular a radial direction of the cylinder, and the second locking hook is for being fastened with the second limiting portion, the first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover.",
    "19. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the first cover comprises a first limiting portion, and the third cover comprises a second limiting portion.",
    "20. The multifunction printer according to claim 19, wherein the first limiting portion or the second limiting portion is a locking hook or an opening.",
    "21. The multifunction printer according to claim 19, wherein the first cover further comprises a third limiting portion located beside the first limiting portion.",
    "22. The multifunction printer according to claim 21, wherein the third limiting portion is a limiting bump.",
    "23. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the guiding column comprises a guiding inclined plane, and the guiding inclined plane inclines along the axial direction.",
    "24. The multifunction printer according to claim 23, wherein the third cover further comprises a guiding bump, the guiding bump comprises a guiding plane, and the guiding inclined plane of the guiding column contacts the guiding plane.",
    "25. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the cover device further comprises a first spring, the guiding column further comprises a third locking hook, and an end of the first spring is connected to the third locking hook.",
    "26. The multifunction printer according to claim 25, wherein a locking direction of the third locking hook is different from the locking direction of the first locking hook.",
    "27. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the cover device further comprises a second spring, the second locking hook further comprises a fourth locking hook, and an end of the second spring is connected to the fourth locking hook.",
    "28. The multifunction printer according to claim 27, wherein a locking direction of the fourth locking hook is the same as the locking direction of the second locking hook.",
    "29. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the first cover is a scan lid.",
    "30. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the second cover is a scan base.",
    "31. The multifunction printer according to claim 18, wherein the third cover is a mid chassis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a fixing element, a cover device and a multifunction printer, and more particularly, to a fixing element which locks two of three layers of covers together, a cover device using the fixing element, and a multifunction printer using the cover device. 2. Description of Related Art Regarding ordinary scanners, photocopiers or multifunction printers, etc., upper covers thereof may open and close relative to machine bodies. Take a multifunction printer as an example. Because of a greater volume, the multifunction printer is usually placed at corners of an office to allow office workers to copy or scan documents easily. A scanner of the multifunction printer is disposed on the machine body of the multifunction printer, wherein the scanner includes a scan lid and a scan base, and a mid chassis is disposed on the machine body to fix the scan base. When the scan base opens relative to the machine body, elements in the machine body are exposed to allow the maintenance staff or users to perform maintenance or replacement of the elements (such as an ink cartridge) in the machine body of the multifunction printer easily.\n\nUsually, when the users intend to use the scanning function of the scanner, the users only have to open the scan lid relative to the scan base. When intending to perform maintenance or replacement of the elements in the machine body, the users have to open the scan lid and the scan base at the same time.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04N 1/00554",
    "F16B 5/065",
    "G03G 21/1623",
    "G03G 2221/1678",
    "H04N 1/00551",
    "H04N 2201/0094",
    "Y10T 292/0826"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G03G 15/00",
    "G03G 21/16",
    "H04N 1/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "HSIUNG CHANG-KAI",
    "KINPO ELECT INC",
    "CAL COMP ELECTRONICS & COMM CO"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "HSIUNG CHANG-KAI"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-09-14",
  "publication_date": "2015-03-10",
  "grant_date": "2015-03-10",
  "priority_date": "2012-07-18",
  "application_number": "US-201213615708-A",
  "family_id": "47982738",
  "citations": [
    "US2006222435A1",
    "US2007195381A1"
  ]
}