Detachable transparent plate for scan head assembly
View Patent ↗A detachable transparent plate for a scan head assembly in a document scanning system that allows an operator to detach the transparent plate from the scan head assembly located above a media feed path to clean a top face of the transparent plate and easily reattach it to the scan head assembly. The scan head assembly has an optical system and a sealing member detachably mounted to a bottom end of the optical system. The transparent plate is received and supported by the sealing member and defines a portion of a bottom surface of the sealing member. The sealing member is detachable from the bottom end of the optical system to allow an operator access to the top face of the transparent plate of the sealing member for cleaning the top face of the transparent plate.
1. A scan head assembly for use in a document scanning system for scanning a media from a location above a media feed path, comprising:
an optical system having a top end and a bottom end; and
a transparent plate having a top face and bottom face detachably mounted to the optical system;
wherein the transparent plate is configured to detach from a first side of the optical system while remaining attached to a second side thereof, such that the transparent plate pivots about a shaft in a direction away from the optical system to allow access to the top face of the transparent plate.
2. The scan head assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member configured to receive and support the transparent plate.
3. The scan head assembly of claim 2 , wherein the sealing member is configured to remain attached to the optical system when the transparent plate is partially detached from the bottom end of the optical system.
4. The scan head assembly of claim 2 , wherein said sealing member has a first end having at least one projection mounted to the optical system.
5. The scan head assembly of claim 4 , wherein said at least one projection is substantially C-shaped for mounting to the optical system and pivotably receiving a shaft.
6. The scan head assembly of claim 5 , wherein said sealing member has at least one opening for receiving at least one fastener to mount to the optical system, and has a second end having a latching mechanism for detachably mounting to the optical system.
7. The scan head assembly of claim 4 , wherein said sealing member has a second end having a latching mechanism for detachably mounting to the optical system.
8. The scan head assembly of claim 2 , wherein said sealing member has at least one opening for receiving at least one fastener to mount to the optical system.
9. The scan head assembly of claim 8 , wherein said at least one fastener is a screw.
10. The scan head assembly of claim 1 , wherein said transparent plate is glass.
11. A scan head assembly for use in a dual scan head duplex document scanning system for scanning a backside of a media from a location above a media feed path, comprising:
an optical system having a top end and a bottom end;
a sealing member having a first end and a second end detachably mounted to a bottom end of the optical system; and
a transparent plate having a top face and a bottom face supported by the sealing member and defining a portion of a bottom surface of the sealing member;
wherein the second end of the sealing member is configured to detach from a first side of the bottom end of the optical system while the first end remain attached to a second side thereof, such that the sealing member pivots about the second side in a direction away from the optical system.
12. The scan head assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a shaft around which said sealing member rotates in a direction away from the optical system to allow access to the top face of the transparent plate.
13. The scan head assembly of claim 11 , wherein said transparent plate is glass.
14. The scan head assembly of claim 11 , wherein said first end of the sealing member has at least one projection mounted to the optical system.
15. The scan head assembly of claim 14 , wherein said at least one projection is substantially C-shaped for mounting to the optical system and to pivotably receive a shaft.
16. The scan head assembly of claim 15 , wherein said sealing member has at least one opening for receiving at least one fastener to mount to the optical system, said second end of the sealing member has a latching mechanism for detachably mounting to the optical system.
17. The scan head assembly of claim 11 , wherein said second end of the sealing member has a latching mechanism for detachably mounting to the optical system.
18. The scan head assembly of claim 11 , wherein said sealing member has at least one opening for receiving at least one fastener to mount to the optical system.
19. The scan head assembly of claim 18 , wherein said optical system has at least one slot for receiving at least one fastener to connect the sealing member to the optical system.
20. A method for cleaning a top face of a transparent plate of a scan head assembly having an optical system in a document scanning system, comprising:
detaching the transparent plate from a first side of the optical system; and
pivoting the transparent plate away from the first side of the optical system to provide access for an operator during use to clean the top face of the transparent plate, the top face being inaccessible to the operator prior to detaching the transparent plate from the optical system.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein said detaching further includes unlatching the transparent plate from the optical system.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein said detaching further includes unscrewing the transparent plate from the optical system.