Angle adjustment device and image reading system using the same

Abstract

An angle adjustment device, include a fixed portion; a movable portion; a connection portion which rotatably connects the movable portion to the fixed portion; and an elastic member which is arranged between the movable portion and the fixed portion and restricts rotational movement of the movable portion with kinetic friction generated between the movable portion and the fixed portion.

1 . An angle adjustment device, comprising:
 a fixed portion;   a movable portion;   a connection portion which rotatably connects said movable portion to said fixed portion; and   an elastic member which is arranged between said movable portion and said fixed portion and restricts rotational movement of said movable portion with kinetic friction generated between said movable portion and said fixed portion.   
     
     
         2 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said elastic member has a washer shape and is inserted at a central axis of said movable portion.   
     
     
         3 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ratchet mechanism which permits a motion of said movable portion in a direction of an initial posture position only when said movable portion arrives at a release posture position.   
     
     
         4 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 potential energy of said movable portion at said initial posture position is lower than the potential energy at said release posture position.   
     
     
         5 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fixed portion cover which is provided in said fixed portion and includes a plurality of fixed portion cover grooves; and   a movable portion cover which is provided in said movable portion and includes a movable portion cover projection fitted into said fixed portion cover grooves.   
     
     
         6 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said connection portion includes a fastening force adjustment mechanism which adjusts a force for fastening said movable portion and said fixed portion.   
     
     
         7 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 a detachable connection portion cover which covers said fastening force adjustment mechanism portion is included.   
     
     
         8 . An image reading system, comprising:
 an operation panel with which information about at least various operations is inputted; and   An angle adjustment device, including a fixed portion, a movable portion, a connection portion which connects said fixed portion to said movable portion, and an elastic member which is arranged between said movable portion and said fixed portion and restricts rotational movement of said movable portion with kinetic friction generated between said movable portion and said fixed portion, wherein   said angle adjustment device permits a posture of said operation panel to be varied by a movement of said movable portion.   
     
     
         9 . An image reading system according to  claim 8 , said angle adjustment device further comprising:
 a ratchet mechanism which permits a motion of said movable portion in a direction of an initial posture position only when said movable portion arrives at a release posture position.   
     
     
         10 . An angle adjustment device, comprising:
 a fixed means;   a movable means;   a connection means; and   an elastic means for arranging member which is arranged between said movable means and said fixed means and restricts rotational movement of said movable means with kinetic friction generated between said movable means and said fixed means.   
     
     
         11 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said elastic means has a washer shape and is inserted at a central axis of said movable means.   
     
     
         12 . An angle adjustment device according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a ratchet mechanism which permits a motion of said fixed means in a direction of an initial posture position only when said movable means arrives at a release posture position.   
     
     
         13 . An image reading system, comprising:
 an operation means for informing about at least various operations is inputted; and   an adjustment means, including a fixed means, a movable means, a connection means for connecting said fixed means to said movable means, and an elastic means for arranging between said movable means and said fixed means and restricts rotational movement of said movable means with kinetic friction generated between said movable means and said fixed means, wherein   said adjustment means permits a posture of said operation means to be varied by movement of said movable portion.   
     
     
         14 . An image reading system according to  claim 13 , said adjustment means further comprising:
 a ratchet means for permitting a motion in a direction of an initial posture position only when said movable means arrives at a release posture position.