In a scanner, a document cover is pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position to cover the document table and an open position to expose the document table. An operation panel is movable between a first position and a second position lower than the first position. The operation panel in the first position overlaps with the document cover in the closed position when viewed in a perpendicular direction to the pivot axis of the document cover. The document cover is away from the operation panel in the perpendicular direction. The moving mechanism is configured to move the operation panel to the second position in response to pivoting of the document cover to the open position, and to move the operation panel to the first position in response to the pivoting of the document cover to the closed position.

An image reading device includes a rotating magnet unit (42) that rotates in interlock with opening and closing of a document pressing unit (2) and has a magnetic pole of an N pole and a magnetic pole of a S pole disposed at different phase positions in a rotation direction, a magnetic sensor (43) having a magnetic detection part (43a) that is installed in a reading unit or a movable body moving in a sub-scanning direction in interlock with the reading unit, and faces a peripheral surface of the rotating magnet unit (42) only when the reading unit is in a predetermined home position, and a determination unit that determines an opening and closing state of the document pressing unit (2) and determines whether the reading unit is in the predetermined home position on the basis of an output signal from the magnetic sensor (43).

An image reading device includes a reading main unit including a document platen capable of being loaded with a document, a document cover configured to press the document against the document platen, and a hinge mechanism configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the reading main unit, wherein the reading main unit includes a first abutment portion capable of abutting the document cover, and wherein an open angle of the document cover with respect to the document platen is regulated to a first angle by abutment between the document cover and the first abutment portion when the hinge mechanism is in the first position, and the open angle is regulated to a second angle larger than the first angle by a regulation portion provided in the hinge mechanism when the hinge mechanism is in the second position.

A hinge mechanism includes a first member, a second member, and a stopper mechanism. The stopper mechanism has a path and a moving member. The moving member is provided in the path. The path includes a first path part and a second path part. The first path part is located in the first member. The second path part is located in the second member. The first member and the second member are changeable between a first communication state, a non-communication state, and a second communication state depending on a turning angle of the second member relative to the first member.

An image reading device includes an image reader movable along an image reading face, a casing to house the image reader, including a restraint holder, and a restraint to be held by the restraint holder of the casing and configured to restrict movement of the image reader. The restraint includes an operation portion to be disposed outside the casing. The operation portion is operated to move the restraint, in the restraint holder, to: a restricting position to restrict movement of the image reader; a first unlock position to cancel restriction of movement of the image reader; and a second unlock position at which movement of the image reader is not restricted. At the first unlock position, movement of the restraint to the restricting position is allowed. From the second unlock position, movement to the restricting position is less smooth than movement from the first unlock position to the restricting position.

A document pressing unit is openable with respect to an apparatus body including a placement portion on which a document is placed, and is configured to press the document from above. The document pressing unit includes a body frame, a pair of hinge units, a pair of metal fixing members, and fastening screws. The body frame is able to press the document. The hinge units respectively include hinge legs mounted on the apparatus body, and are mounted with a certain distance in a left-right direction on a rear end of the body frame to openably support the body frame with respect to the apparatus body. The fixing members fix the hinge units to the body frame, respectively. The fastening screws fasten the fixing member and the hinge unit through the body frame so that the fixing member and the hinge unit sandwich the body frame in an up-down direction.

An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a hinge connected to the reading unit, and a cover connected to the hinge. The image reading apparatus further includes a decelerator configured to apply a damping resistance to a particular gear of the hinge, as a planet gear engages with the particular gear during movement of the cover from an open position to a closed position.

A covering structure for cable adaptable for connecting between a first and a second electronic modules that are electrically connected via a cable. When the first electronic module is pivoted relative to the second electronic module to be opened, a portion of the cable is exposed outside the first and the second electronic modules. The covering structure for cable includes a cover, a first shaft, and a second shaft. The first shaft is disposed on one side of the cover and pivoted to the first electronic module; the second shaft is disposed on an opposite side of the cover and pivoted to the second electronic module. The first electronic module is opened/closed relative to the second electronic module and drives the cover such that the cover covers a portion of the cable that is exposed outside the first and the second electronic modules when being opened.

A damping hinge includes a first joining part; a revolving part pivotably connected to the first joining part and being capable to revolve among a first position, a second position and a third position; a supporting module arranged within the first joining part for pressing the revolving part to keep the revolving part and the first joining part stay in a relative position; a second joining part fastened to the revolving part for connecting the upper cover; a first enforcement frame arranged on the first joining part; and a damping module including a damper holder pivotably connected to the second joining part, a damper consisted of a damper body fastened on the damper holder as a fixed end and a actuating portion as a free end being able to move up and down, a damper spring connected between the second joining part and the damper holder.

A hinge mechanism includes a first member, a second member, and a stopper mechanism. The stopper mechanism has a path and a moving member. The moving member is provided in the path. The path includes a first path part and a second path part. The first path part is located in the first member. The second path part is located in the second member. The first member and the second member are changeable between a first communication state, a non-communication state, and a second communication state depending on a turning angle of the second member relative to the first member.