JP2009089127A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which an operation panel can be displaced further freely, and all users can securely and simply perform viewing of indication of a display and input of control parameters or the like. <P>SOLUTION: An operation panel is supported alterably in attitude with a panel support structure disposed on one side of an apparatus body. The panel support structure includes: a first hinge structure fixed to the apparatus body; a second structure fixed to the operation panel; and a third hinge structure for coupling the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure. The operation panel can be vertically rockable around the first hinge structure and is simultaneously supported rockably back and forth around the second hinge structure. A hinge center shaft of the third hinge structure is crossed and disposed with that of the first hinge center shaft. Consequently, the operation panel can be made laterally rockable around the third hinge structure at an arbitrary rocking position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus represented by a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., for an operation panel for inputting parameters such as copying conditions and facsimile conditions, or displaying input data or data selected by a user. The support structure is improved.

  Most of the operation panels provided in the conventional image forming apparatus of this type are fixed to the front upper surface of the machine body. For this reason, depending on the user's standing position, it may be difficult to visually recognize the data displayed on the display, or the condition selection using the touch panel and the data input operation using the input button may be hindered. In order to improve such inconvenience, an operation panel support structure has been proposed in which the attitude and orientation of the operation panel can be changed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, a support column is erected on one side of the front surface of the machine body, and an operation panel is supported in a tiltable manner through a hinge structure provided at the upper end of the support column. The support column is supported by a pair of upper and lower brackets fixed to the airframe so as to be able to turn around the vertical axis, and is configured so that an arbitrary turning position can be held by a clamping spring externally fitted to the support column. Similarly, the hinge structure provided at the upper end of the support column is also configured to hold an arbitrary tilt position.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, a pair of left and right support arms project from the left and right sides of the operation panel, and the support panels are moved up and down at the same time, so that the operation panel is raised and lowered in a horizontal posture and a vertical posture. I can do it. Specifically, the support arms on both sides of the rear portion are connected to the linear portion in the vertical direction of the belt wound in an L shape, and the support arms on both sides of the front portion are connected to the linear portion in the front and rear direction of the belt. When the belt is rotated in one direction while the operation panel is tilted horizontally, the support arms on both sides of the rear are lifted upward, and the support arms on both sides of the front simultaneously move backward. Can stand. When the belt is rotationally driven in the reverse direction, the operation panel can be returned from the standing posture to the lying posture. The belt is driven to rotate manually or by motor power.

JP 2001-356540 A (paragraph number 0065, FIG. 5) JP 2007-206157 (paragraph number 0019, FIG. 2)

  According to the support structure of Patent Literature 1, the operation panel can be displaced around two axes that are perpendicular to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. Therefore, by turning the support column to the left and right, and further tilting the operation panel back and forth, the operation panel can be directed toward the user, and the operation panel can be displaced to a posture that is easy for the user to see. However, the area where the operation panel can be displaced is limited to a high position around the upper end of the column, and although the operation panel can be tilted backwards, the column cannot be tilted forward because the column is in the way. It becomes difficult to operate the operation panel. For example, for a user sitting in a wheelchair, an operation panel that is provided at a high position and cannot be tilted forward toward a low position is extremely difficult to operate and may be painful to operate.

  In that respect, according to the support structure of Patent Document 2, since the operation panel can be displaced up and down at a relatively low position, the operation panel can be operated even from a low position sitting on a wheelchair, and the display of the operation panel can be clearly recognized. However, since it is necessary to absorb the shift of the connection point between the front and rear support arms and the belt at the time of undulation, it is necessary to connect one of the front and rear support arms so as to be movable relative to the belt. Further, the belt that supports the operation panel is easily bent and deformed inward and outward between the guide pulleys. For this reason, it is difficult to support the operation panel in a stable state in most parts of the undulation region. For example, when operating the operation panel tilted obliquely, the operation panel may swing. If the front and rear support arms are moved and guided by the guide rail, the operation panel can be supported in a stable state, but the support structure becomes complicated and the cost increases accordingly.

  An operation panel display in an image forming apparatus in recent years tends to increase in size as the amount of information to be displayed increases. In this type of display, for example, a plurality of pages of image data read by the scanner function can be reduced and displayed as a list, or a print preview of selected image data can be displayed. As the display becomes larger in this way, the space occupied by the operation panel in the aircraft increases, so it becomes difficult to fit the operation panel within the outline of the aircraft with the conventional equipment arrangement. Yes.

  For example, with the conventional arrangement of conventional devices, it is unavoidable that the operation panel protrudes greatly from the front surface of the aircraft, and this causes various problems. For example, there is a problem that the installation space of the image forming apparatus in an office or the like is remarkably increased. It can be easily expected that the operation panel that protrudes greatly will obstruct traffic. In many cases, the image forming apparatus is often shipped in a state where it can be used immediately. However, in the situation where the operation panel protrudes greatly as described above, it may be a wasteful expense to transport and store the product. Become.

  The object of the present invention is to support the operation panel in a stable state at all times while allowing the operation panel to be operated more freely. Therefore, for all users, it is possible to ensure visual recognition of the display and input of control parameters. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including an operation panel that can be easily and easily used. An object of the present invention is to eliminate an operation panel that normally protrudes from one side of the aircraft by accommodating the entire operation panel within the outline of the aircraft when necessary, or to obstruct the passage of the operation panel, or An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a distribution cost by reducing a space for transferring and storing a product.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an operation panel arranged on one side of the machine body is supported by a panel support structure provided between the machine body and the operation panel so that the posture can be freely changed. The panel support structure includes a first hinge body that is fixed to the machine body, a second hinge body that is fixed to the operation panel, and a third hinge body that connects the first hinge body and the second hinge body. The operation panel is supported so as to be able to swing up and down around the hinge center axis of the first hinge body, and is supported so as to be able to swing back and forth around the hinge center axis of the second hinge body. The hinge center axis of the third hinge body intersects with the hinge center axis of the first hinge body. Thus, the operation panel can be swung left and right around the hinge central axis of the third hinge body at an arbitrary swinging position.

  Each of the first hinge body, the second hinge body, and the third hinge body is constituted by a friction hinge that can maintain a displacement posture at an arbitrary displacement position.

  In a state where the first hinge body is displaced to the lower swing limit, a part of the operation panel protrudes from one outer surface of the machine body. When the operation panel is swung upwards about the hinge central axis of the first hinge body and the operation panel is swung upright about the second hinge body hinge central axis, the entire operation panel is viewed from the side. So that it can be accommodated within the outline of the aircraft.

  The first hinge body and the second hinge body have a friction resistance between the bracket, the hinge frame that swings relative to the bracket, the hinge shaft that connects the bracket and the hinge frame, and the hinge frame and the bracket. And a frictional resistance applying means.

  The third hinge body is provided between the hinge frame of the first hinge body, the hinge frame of the second hinge body, the hinge shaft that connects the two hinge frames, and the friction that is provided between the hinge frames. It is comprised with resistance provision means.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first hinge body fixed to the machine body, the second hinge body fixed to the operation panel, and the third hinge body connecting the first hinge body and the second hinge body. A panel support structure was constructed with and the operation panel was supported around each hinge body so that the posture could be freely changed. Specifically, the operation panel is supported so as to be swingable up and down around the hinge central axis of the first hinge body, and is also supported so as to be swingable back and forth around the hinge central axis of the second hinge body. Further, the hinge central axis of the third hinge body is arranged so as to intersect the hinge central axis of the first hinge body so that the operation panel can be swung to the left and right around the hinge central axis of the third hinge body at any swing position. I made it.

  As described above, when the operation panel is supported so as to be swingable and displaceable about the three central axes, the operation panel can be freely displaced in response to various requests of the user as compared with the conventional panel support structure. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus having an easy-to-use operation panel that can be surely and simply performed for all users to visually confirm the display on the display and to input control parameters. In addition, even when the operation panel projects to one side of the aircraft in the normal state, the entire operation panel can be accommodated within the outline of the aircraft when necessary, so that the operation panel can be prevented from obstructing traffic.

  If each of the first hinge body, the second hinge body, and the third hinge body is constituted by a friction hinge, the operation panel 5 can be held in a stable displacement posture at an arbitrary displacement position. Parameter input and the like can be performed reliably and simply, and the usability of the operation panel can be further improved.

  When the first hinge body is displaced to the lower swing limit, a part of the operation panel projects over the outer surface on one side of the machine body, and the operation panel is swung up around the hinge central axis of the first hinge body. According to the panel support structure that allows the entire operation panel to be accommodated within the outline of the airframe when viewed from the side when the operation panel is moved upright and swinging around the second hinge body hinge central axis, Since the space occupied by the image forming apparatus when not in use can be reduced, the space for transporting and storing the product can be reduced to reduce the distribution cost.

  The first hinge body includes a bracket, a hinge frame that swings relative to the bracket, a hinge shaft that couples the bracket and the hinge frame, and frictional resistance applying means that applies frictional resistance between the hinge frame and the bracket. When the second hinge body is configured, most of the components of the first hinge body and the second hinge body, specifically, the bracket, the hinge shaft, and the frictional resistance applying means can be made into a common part. The manufacturing cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  The hinge frame of the first hinge body, the hinge frame of the second hinge body, the hinge shaft that connects the two hinge frames, and the friction resistance applying means that is provided between the hinge frames and applies friction resistance. When the three-hinge body is configured, the third hinge body can be configured by using the hinge frame of the first hinge body and the hinge frame of the second hinge body. The cost required for manufacturing can be saved.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 8 show an embodiment in which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function and a facsimile function. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus includes a recording unit 1 including an image recording device, a fixing device, and the like, an image reading unit 2 provided above the recording unit 1, and an automatic document conveying unit ( ADF) 3 and an operation panel 5 provided on the front surface of the image reading unit 2.

  Inside the recording unit 1, there is provided a paper transport path from the paper feed cassette 6 to the paper discharge space S through the image recording device and the fixing device. The recording unit 1 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 7 in which a paper feed cassette 6 is assembled, and a side housing 8 that is connected upward from one side end (right end) of the housing 7. A paper discharge space S is formed with the reading unit 2. A decorative panel 9 is mounted on the front surfaces of the housings 7 and 8. A front cover 10 is provided above the sheet feeding cassette 6 on the front surface of the decorative panel 9. The front cover 10 is supported by a hinge (not shown) and swings upward with respect to the housing 7. It is configured to be possible. The recording unit 1, the image reading unit 2, the automatic document conveying unit 3, the housings 7 and 8, the support unit 12, and the like constitute an image forming apparatus.

  A support portion 12 that supports the operation panel is provided on the upper side of the side housing 8. The left and right dimensions of the support portion 12 are larger than those of the side housing 8, and the front end portion of the support portion 12 is located on the rear side of the front end position of the front cover 10 in the closed state (see FIG. 8). The upper surface of the support portion 12 is inclined downward toward the front lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the operation panel 5 is configured by arranging a touch panel display 15 and a group of input buttons 16 on the upper surface of a flat rectangular box-shaped panel body 14. The front-rear dimension and the left-right dimension of the panel body 14 are set larger than the front-rear dimension and the left-right dimension of the support portion 12.

  For example, a panel support mechanism that supports the operation panel 5 between the operation panel 5 and the support portion 12 so that the posture can be freely changed so that the posture and orientation of the operation panel 5 can be changed according to the standing position of the user. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the panel support structure includes a first hinge body 19 fixed to the support portion 12, a second hinge body 20 fixed to the operation panel, the first hinge body 19, and the second hinge body 20. And the third hinge body 21 connecting the two. As will be described below, each of the first to third hinge bodies 19, 20, and 21 is configured as a friction hinge that can maintain a displacement posture at an arbitrary displacement position.

  The first hinge body 19 includes a pair of left and right L-shaped brackets 23, a hinge frame 24 that swings relative to the bracket 23, a hinge shaft 25 that couples both 23, 24, the hinge frame 24, and the bracket And a frictional resistance applying means 26 for applying a frictional resistance. The hinge frame 24 is a press-molded product including a square flat base wall 24a that is long in the left-right direction, and leg walls 24b that are bent in the vertical direction from the left and right ends of the base wall 24a and extend rearward. The hinge shaft 25 is formed in a bolt shape by projecting an operation head at one end and forming a male screw at the end of the shaft portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 1, after fixing the left and right brackets 23 to the vertical wall of the support portion 12 with screws, both leg walls 24b of the hinge frame 24 are applied to the outer surfaces of the brackets 23, and both The hinge shaft 25 is inserted into the formed bearing hole, and the hinge frame 24 is connected to the bracket 23. At this time, the nut 27 is screwed into the hinge shaft 24 in a state in which the frictional resistance applying means 26 is fitted on the screw shaft side of the hinge shaft 25.

  The frictional resistance imparting means 26 includes a plurality of disc springs 26a and washers 26b interposed at both ends of the disc springs 26a. Therefore, when the nut 27 is tightened, the plurality of disc springs 26 a are elastically deformed flat, and the entire hinge shaft 25 is pulled toward the nut 27. As a result, the left and right leg walls 24b and the left and right brackets 23 are brought into close contact with each other to generate a predetermined frictional resistance. The frictional resistance imparting means 26 allows relative swinging of the hinge frame 24 and the bracket 23 only when an external force exceeding the set value is applied. The central axis P1 of the left and right hinge shafts 25 is provided on the same horizontal straight line. As shown in FIG. 6, the first hinge body 19 has a hinge shaft between a vertical posture in which the base wall 24 a extends straight upward and an inclined posture in which the leg wall 24 b comes into contact with the support portion 12. Oscillating displacement about 25 is possible.

  The second hinge body 20 includes a pair of left and right L-shaped brackets 30, a hinge frame 31 that swings relative to the bracket 30, a hinge shaft 32 that couples both 30 and 31, the hinge frame 31, and the bracket 30 and a frictional resistance applying means 33 for applying a frictional resistance. As shown in FIG. 4, the hinge frame 31 is a press molding that includes a triangular flat base wall 31 a that is long in the left-right direction, and leg walls 31 b that are bent vertically from the left and right ends of the base wall 31 a and extend rearward. It is a product. The hinge shaft 32 is formed in a bolt shape by projecting an operation head at one end and forming a male screw at the end of the shaft portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the left and right brackets 30 are fixed to the lower surface of the panel body 14 with screws, and then both leg walls 31 b of the hinge frame 31 are applied to the outer surfaces of the brackets 30 to form both 30 and 31. The hinge shaft 32 is inserted through the bearing hole and the hinge frame 31 is connected to the bracket 30. At this time, the nut 34 is screwed into the hinge shaft 32 in a state in which the frictional resistance applying means 33 is fitted on the screw shaft side of the hinge shaft 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the overall front-rear length of the panel support structure is larger than half the front-rear dimension of the operation panel 5 and smaller than the front-rear dimension of the operation panel 5. Therefore, the bracket 30 of the second hinge body 20 is fastened near the majority of the lower surface of the panel body 14.

  The frictional resistance applying means 33 includes a plurality of disc springs 33a and washers 33b interposed at both ends of the disc springs 33a. Therefore, when the previous nut 34 is tightened, the plurality of disc springs 33a are elastically deformed flat, and the whole hinge shaft 32 is pulled toward the nut 34 side. As a result, the left and right leg walls 31b and the left and right brackets 30 are brought into close contact with each other to generate a predetermined frictional resistance. The frictional resistance applying means 33 allows relative swinging of the hinge frame 31 and the bracket 30 only when an external force exceeding the set value is applied. The central axis P2 of the left and right hinge shafts 32 is provided on the same straight line. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 5 supported by the second hinge body 20 is inverted from the state in which the panel main body 14 is tilted forward and downward to about 180 degrees in the counterclockwise direction around the hinge shaft 32. It can be tilted back and forth to the posture of turning around to the lower surface side of the hinge frame 31.

  The third hinge body 21 includes a hinge frame 24 of the first hinge body 19, a hinge frame 31 of the second hinge body 20, a hinge shaft 37 connecting both the hinge frames 24 and 31, and both the hinge frames 24 and 31. And a frictional resistance applying means 38 for providing a frictional resistance. Both hinge frames 24 and 31 are formed with connecting portions 39 and 40 each having a partial arc-shaped periphery. The connecting portion 39 of the hinge frame 24 is overlapped on the upper surface of the connecting portion 40 of the hinge frame 31, and the hinge shaft 37 is inserted into the bearing holes formed in these connecting portions 39 and 40 to connect the hinge frames 24 and 31 together. To do. At this time, the nut 41 is screwed into the hinge shaft 37 in a state where the frictional resistance applying means 38 is externally fitted to the screw shaft side of the hinge shaft 37.

  The frictional resistance applying means 38 includes a plurality of disc springs 38a and washers 38b interposed at both ends of the disc springs 38a. Therefore, when the previous nut 41 is tightened, the plurality of disc springs 38 a are elastically deformed flat, and the entire hinge shaft 37 is pulled toward the nut 41. As a result, the upper and lower adjacent connecting portions 39 and 40 are brought into close contact with each other to generate a predetermined frictional resistance. The frictional resistance imparting means 38 allows relative swinging of the hinge frames 24 and 31 only when an external force exceeding the set value is applied. The third hinge body 21 is arranged so that the central axis P3 of the hinge shaft 37 is orthogonal to the central axis P1 of the hinge shaft 25 of the first hinge body 19. The hinge frame 31 of the second hinge body 20 can swing left and right around the hinge shaft 37 of the third hinge body 21, and the swing limit is that the leg wall 31 b of the hinge frame 31 is the hinge frame of the first hinge body 19. It is specified by contacting 24. Reference numeral 44 denotes a decorative cover that covers the front portions of the hinge frame 24 of the second hinge body 20 and the first hinge body 19.

  With the support structure configured as described above, the operation panel 5 can be displaced around the three central axes P1 to P3, and the posture and orientation of the operation panel can be changed according to the standing position of the user. In a normal state, the operation panel 5 is used in the basic posture shown in FIG. In the basic posture, the first hinge body 19 is at the lower limit position, the operation panel 5 is in the forward downward inclined posture, and both sides of the lower surface and the rear end of the lower surface are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the support portion 12. It is supported on the upper surface of the surface 12a. At this time, as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 8, a part of the operation panel projects outward from the front surface of the outline of the aircraft as viewed from the side. The central axis P1 of the hinge shaft 25 of the first hinge body 19 and the central axis P2 of the hinge shaft 32 of the second hinge body 20 are parallel to each other.

  When the operation panel 5 is erected straight from the basic posture around the hinge shaft 32 of the second hinge body 20, the display 15 can be oriented forward as shown in FIG. From this state, it is possible to tilt the operation panel 5 so that the display 15 is directed obliquely downward and forward, so that the operation panel 5 can be easily operated from a low position sitting on a wheelchair. Visible clearly.

  When the user desires an operation at an upper position, as shown in FIG. 6, the hinge frame 24 of the first hinge body 19 is raised to a vertical posture, and the display 15 of the operation panel 5 is directed obliquely upward. You can do it. In this posture, the display 15 can be clearly visually recognized from a high position standing in front of the image forming apparatus without bending down. In this posture, the upper end portion of the operation panel 5 is positioned above the automatic document conveyance unit 3 and further covers the outline of the automatic document conveyance unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the operation panel 5 can be oscillated and displaced in the left-right direction around the hinge shaft 37 of the third hinge body 21 in the basic posture and in any vertical oscillating position. However, the swing limit in the left-right direction in the basic posture is limited to a position where the peripheral wall of the operation panel 5 contacts the image reading unit 2. As shown in FIG. 5, in the state in which the operation panel 5 is swung to the front of the body or the state in which the operation panel 5 is swung upward (the state shown in FIG. 6), the left-right swing described above is performed. It can be swung to the limit. The operation panel 5 in a state of being swung upward and forward from the basic posture can swing around the central axes P1, P2, and P3 of the hinge shafts 25, 32, and 37. However, each hinge body 19, 20, 21 is constituted by a friction hinge, and is supported in a stable state so as not to move as much as the touch panel of the display 15 and the input button 16 are operated. Therefore, the input operation using the touch panel or the input button 16 can be performed reliably and stably.

  At the time of shipment of the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, the first hinge body 19 is placed in a vertical posture and the operation panel 5 is erected, so that the operation panel 5 is viewed from the side and is within the outline of the machine body. It can be set as the compact form which fits in. Specifically, the operation panel 5 can be positioned behind the outline of the front cover 10 that is positioned forward most when viewed from the side. The operation panel 5 at this time stands up along the side that was the lower surface of the first hinge body 19 in the basic posture. Therefore, the space occupied by the image forming apparatus when the product is transported or temporarily stored can be reduced, and the cost required for transportation or storage can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to support the operation panel 5 in a stable state while allowing the operation panel 5 to be further freely displaced as compared with the conventional support structure. For all users, the visual recognition of the display 15 and the input of control parameters can be performed reliably and simply. Furthermore, the operation panel 5 that normally projects to one side of the aircraft is accommodated within the outline of the aircraft when necessary, so that the operation panel 5 is not obstructed by traffic or the product It is possible to reduce the distribution cost by reducing the space during transport and storage.

  In the above embodiment, the frictional resistance imparting means 33 is configured by using a disc spring as an element member. However, it is not necessary to use a coil spring, rubber, or a plastic material having rubber elasticity as an element member. The frictional resistance applying means 33 can be configured. The central axis P3 of the hinge shaft 37 of the third hinge body 21 need not be orthogonal to the central axis P1 of the hinge shaft 25 of the first hinge body 19. For example, the third hinge body 21 can be configured such that the center axis P3 tilts forward toward the front of the body or tilts toward the side of the body. Further, the mechanism for supporting the operation panel 5 in the basic posture is not limited to the receiving surface 12a, and may be supported only by the panel support mechanism. Further, it may be supported by the housing 7 or 8 or the decorative cover 9.

A part showing a panel support structure is a step side view. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view of a panel support structure. It is a partially broken top view of a panel support structure. It is a side view which shows the example of a displacement of an operation panel. It is a side view which shows another example of a displacement of an operation panel. It is a top view which shows another example of a displacement of an operation panel. FIG. 3 is a side view of the image forming apparatus in a state where an operation panel is stored.

Explanation of symbols

5 operation panel 19 first hinge body 20 second hinge body 21 third hinge body 23 bracket 24 hinge frame 26 friction resistance applying means 30 bracket 31 hinge frame 33 friction resistance applying means 37 hinge shaft 38 friction resistance applying means

Claims (5)

An operation panel disposed on one side of the machine body is an image forming apparatus supported by a panel support structure provided between the machine body and the operation panel so that the posture can be freely changed.
The panel support structure includes a first hinge body fixed to the body, a second hinge body fixed to the operation panel, and a third hinge body connecting the first hinge body and the second hinge body. And consists of
The operation panel is supported so as to swing up and down around the hinge center axis of the first hinge body, and is supported so as to swing back and forth around the hinge center axis of the second hinge body.
The hinge center axis of the third hinge body intersects with the hinge center axis of the first hinge body, and the operation panel swings left and right around the hinge center axis of the third hinge body at an arbitrary swing position. An image forming apparatus characterized by being able to do this.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first hinge body, the second hinge body, and the third hinge body is configured by a friction hinge that can hold a displacement posture at an arbitrary displacement position. In a state where the first hinge body is displaced to the lower swing limit, a part of the operation panel projects to one outer surface of the body,
In a state where the operation panel is swung upwards around the hinge central axis of the first hinge body and the operation panel is swung upright around the hinge central axis of the second hinge body, the entire operation panel The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can be accommodated in a contour line of the machine body as viewed from the side.   The first hinge body and the second hinge body are a bracket, a hinge frame that swings relative to the bracket, a hinge shaft that connects the bracket and the hinge frame, the hinge frame, and the bracket. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a frictional resistance applying unit that applies a frictional resistance therebetween.   The third hinge body is provided between the hinge frame of the first hinge body, the hinge frame of the second hinge body, the hinge shaft connecting the two hinge frames, and the friction frame. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a frictional resistance applying unit that applies

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