A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.

Claims

17 · 2 independent · depth 3

17 granted claims

›1.independentA scanner module to scan an object, comprising:nat least one light source configured to produce the light;at least one light guide having an elongated…+7

›2.↳ 1The scanner module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat radiating member is a made of an elastically deformable material to cause the l…d2+1

›4.↳ 1The scanner module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat radiating member is made of a thermally conductive material.d2

›5.↳ 1The scanner module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source holder mounted on the longitudinal end of the light guide to dispose th…d2+1

›7.↳ 1The scanner module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat radiating member including a first portion in contact with the light source hol…d2

›8.↳ 1The scanner module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.d2

›9.independentAn image forming apparatus, comprising:na scanner module,wherein the scanner module comprises:an illuminator configured to illuminate a light on an ob…+8

›10.↳ 9The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one heat radiating member is a made of an elastically deformable material to ca…d2+1

›12.↳ 9The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one heat radiating member is made of a thermally conductive material.d2

›13.↳ 9The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one light source holder mounted on the longitudinal end of the light guide to d…d2+1

›15.↳ 9The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one heat radiating member including a first portion in contact with the light s…d2

›16.↳ 9The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.d2

›17.↳ 9The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,nwherein the at least one light source comprises a pair of light sources,wherein the at least one lig…d2

Classifications

4 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section F — Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons

F21V8/00

Section H — Electricity

H04N1/04
H04N1/024
H04N1/028

Claim changes

Soon

Coming soonHow the claims changed between publication and grant

See which claims were amended, added or cancelled during examination, with every added and removed word marked.

AmendedAddedCancelledUnchanged

The published claims of this patent are not paired with the granted ones in what we hold.

File wrapper

⤢ drag to zoom

USPTOApplicanthover for detail · click to open

Pendency

2.5 y

910 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

5 RCE

Examiner

Negussie Worku

art unit 2673 · TC 2600

Law firm

Law firm · Log in to unlock

Citations: 130 back · 0 forward

See the full prosecution history — every USPTO and applicant action on this file, in order.

Term & fees

See the term timeline — pendency span, in-force span, the maintenance fees paid and both computed expiry dates.

Priority chain

1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20130201535 A1	8 Aug 2013

Validity challenges

See the validity challenges on record — reexaminations, IPRs and PGRs, with their institution decisions and outcomes.

Citations

See every patent this one cites and every patent that cites it back — publication, assignee, and how each one was found.