Abstract: An automatic original cover operator of a copying machine, includes a hinge part and a driving part. The hinge part includes a mounting member attached to the main body of the copying machine, a supporting member rotatably mounted on the mounting member via a main shaft, a lifting member rotatably mounted on side plates of the supporting member via a drive shaft, a part for controlling rotation of the hinge part, the part for controlling rotation serving to urge the supporting member in an opening direction of the original cover and the lifting member to overlap the supporting member, and a rotation controlling mechanism for the lifting member. The driving part includes a drive case, a drive motor mounted in the drive case, and a reduction mechanism mounted in the drive case for transmitting a rotation drive force from the drive motor to the main shaft.

Abstract: In automatically opening and closing an opening/closing member with regard to an opened/closed member via a hinge, a drive for this purpose mechanically independent from the opened/closed member is mounted on a side of the opening/closing member and so designed that it rotates together with the opening/closing member when it opens and closes; where the opened/closed member is in particular a main body of office equipment and the opening/closing member an original cover, and the hinge comprises at least a mounting member mounted on a side of the main body and a supporting member of original cover rotatably mounted on the mounting member. The drive mechanically independent from the main body is mounted on a side of the original cover and so designed that it rotates together with the original cover when it opens and closes.