Patent Publication Number: US-8537106-B2

Title: Operation panel structure

Description:
This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2006-319519 filed on Nov. 28, 2006, of which content is herewith incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an operation panel structure, and more particularly to an operation panel structure which is provided for an image data input/output device of a scanner or an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a paper by an electrophotographic method. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In recent years, in various kinds of arts, a concept of universal design of industrial products for the convenience of physically handicapped people as well as ordinary people draws attention. In the art of image data input apparatus, such as scanners, and image forming apparatus, such as copying machines and printers, especially operation panels which has an input section which is to input the details of processing of image data and a display section which is to display the details input and the working state of the apparatus are demanded to be universal-designed. 
     For example,  FIGS. 15   a - 15   e  show the positions of operators in relative to a copying machine  500  provided with a fixed type operation panel  505 . The operation panel  505  sticks forward out of the copying machine  500 .  FIG. 15   a  shows a state where a Western man of average height is operating the machine, and  FIG. 15   b  shows a state where a Western woman of average height is operating the machine.  FIG. 15   c  shows a state where a Japanese man of average height is operating the machine, and  FIG. 15   d  shows a state where a Japanese woman of average height is operating the machine.  FIG. 15   e  shows a state where a handicapped person in a wheel chair is operating the machine. 
     As is apparent from  FIGS. 15   a - 15   e , with the fixed type operation panel  505 , the bending angle of the operator&#39;s arm depends on his/her height and his/her physical characteristics, and for some people, it is inconvenient to operate the machine  500  with the fixed type operation panel  505 . A printed paper is ejected horizontally on a section H of the copying machine  500 , and the operator must bend forward to take the printed paper out of the section H. At this time, however, the operator may hit his/her body against the operation panel  505 . When a large-sized document is to be copied, the part of the document sticking out of a platen glass must be prevented from interfering with the operation panel  505 . Also, a countermeasure is necessary to ease the impact on the operator&#39;s body when the operator hits his/her body against the operation panel  505 . 
     Especially for operators who usually make a large number of printed sheets, if the height and/or the angle of the operation panel  505  do not match their bodies, they will have fatigue on their eyes and/or on their legs. Needless to say, for physically handicapped people, mismatching between their bodies and the operation panel  505  will be a bigger burden on them. 
     Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No. 2004-32280, No. 11-119498 and No. 2005-17690 have disclosed universal-designed operation panels for copying machines. These universal-designed operation panels are structured to pivot up and down and to be locked at desired angles. 
     However, these existing operation panels do not satisfactorily comply with the demand for universal design, which is a demand for operation panels which are easy to use and easy to see for any person of any height and even a person in a wheelchair. If a spherical universal joint is used to enable an operation panel to pivot in every direction, operators are, instinctively as human beings, apt to make minor adjustments many times before determining the position of the operation panel, which, on the contrary, may deteriorate the operability of the operation panel. When the operation panel is structured to pivot in the vertical direction, the supporting structure of the operation panel may be rickety and/or loose. The reason is that during key operation, pressure of the operator&#39;s finger on the keys acts in the gravitational direction. Especially regarding a clear key, operators usually push the clear key suddenly, and at that time, a strong pressure acts in the gravitational direction. Also, compared with pivoting the operation panel in the vertical direction, pivoting the operation panel in the horizontal direction is difficult for human beings, and any help is necessary for a smooth pivot of the operation panel in the horizontal direction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel structure for an image data input/output device which is convenient enough to comply with a demand for universal design. 
     In order to attain the object, the present invention provides an operation panel structure for an image data input/output apparatus, comprising an operation panel, with an operation section protruding from a front side of a body of the image data input/output apparatus, said operation panel structure comprising: a first support unit for supporting the operation panel such that the operation panel is capable of pivoting in a first direction along a vertical direction; a second support unit for supporting the operation panel such that the operation panel is capable of pivoting in a second direction along a horizontal direction; a lock system for permitting the operation panel to be held in a plural number of locked positions while the operation panel, is pivoting in the first direction; and a brake member for applying a resistance to a pivot of the operation panel in the second direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a copying machine provided with an operation panel structure according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of an operation panel; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the operation panel; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the operation panel; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of the operation panel; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a first support unit and a second support unit; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the first and second support units in their respective default positions; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the first and second support units pivoting in a first direction; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the first support unit which is locked in a locked position; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of the first and second support units; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of the first and second support units when the first support unit comes to an unlocked position; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the first and second support units when the second support unit is pivoting; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of the first and second support units with a modified lock system; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of the first and second support units with the modified lock system shown in  FIG. 13  when the lock system is unlocked; and 
         FIGS. 15   a - 15   e  are illustrations showing accesses of operators to an operation panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of an operation panel structure according to the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     General Structure of Copying Machine; See  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 1  shows a case where an operation panel structure according to the present invention is applied to a copying machine  1 . The copying machine  1  forms images on paper sheets by a conventional electrophotographic method. The copying machine  1  has an image reading unit  8  in an upper section. Images read by the image reading unit  8  are reproduced on paper sheets by an image forming unit installed in a body  2 . Paper sheets are stacked in a feed cassette  4  provided in a lower section and are fed out one by one, and printed sheets through conventional image forming processes are ejected in a direction “A” to an ejection section  5 . 
     An operation panel  10  is provided for the copying machine  1 . The operation panel  10  is located on a front side of the copying machine  1  in a posture to protrude forward, in the right side which is an upstream side of the ejection section  5  in the sheet ejecting direction “A”. 
     Operation Panel; See  FIGS. 2-5   
     As  FIGS. 2-5  show, the operation panel  10  comprises a first section  11  which functions mainly as a display and a second section  21  which functions mainly as an input device having a ten-key  22 , etc. The first section  11  and the second section  12  are integrated together such that respective operation faces of these sections  11  and  12  are orthogonal to the width direction (direction “B”) of the copying machine body  2  and are at mutually different angles to the horizontal plane C. Specifically, as  FIG. 4  shows, the operation face of the first section  11  is set at an angle θ 1  within a range from 20 degrees to 25 degrees to the horizontal plane C, and the operation face of the second section  21  is set at an angle θ 2  within a range from 5 degrees to 10 degrees to the horizontal plane C. The operation faces of the first section  11  and the second section  21  are at an angle θ 3  within a range from 160 degrees to 170 degrees to each other. 
     The second section  21  is located in front of the first section  11 . The first section  11  is rectangular in a plan view, and the second section  21  is substantially semicircular in a plan view. The interconnection between the front edge of the first section  11  and the rear edge of the second section  21  has a step  20  (see  FIG. 5 ), and the first section  11  rises more upward from the horizontal plane C than the second section  21 . The first section  11  and the second section  21  have mutually different widths, and the width of the first section  11  is larger than the width of the second section  21 . 
     On the operation face of the first section  11 , a liquid crystal display  12  is provided. The liquid crystal display  12  incorporates a touch panel for setting of operation modes of the copying machine body  2  and the image reading unit  8 , and thus, setting and display of the operation modes are performed with the liquid crystal display  12 . On the operation face of the first section  11 , by the right side of the liquid crystal display  12 , a mode memory key  13  and a counter display key  14  are provided. Further, in front of the liquid crystal display  12 , keys  15  which are seldom used (for example, a brightness setting key, a box memory key, a facsimile/scan switching key, a copy switching key, a reset key, etc.) are provided. 
     On the operation face of the second section  21 , a ten-key  22 , a print start key  23 , a stop key  24 , an interruption key  25 , a test copy key  26  and a clear key  27  are provided. Additionally, a help key and so on  28  are provided along the left edge. On the round front edge of the second section  21 , a lighting indicator  31  for indicating an unusual state of the copying machine body  2  and/or the image reading unit  8  is provided. The indicator  31  is lighting, for example, in green when the copying machine body  2  and the image reading unit  8  are operating normally, and the indicator  31  is turned, for example, into red when emptiness of sheets, emptiness of toner, occurrence of a paper jam or the like is detected. With the indication of an unusual state, an operator will confirm the information displayed on the liquid crystal display  12  of the first section  11 , so that the operator will know the details of the unusual state. 
     As shown by  FIG. 5 , which is a sectional view of the operation panel  10 , the ten-key  22  and the other keys provided on the operation face of the second section  21  are to be pushed in a direction “D”. Each of the seldom-used keys  15  which are provided on the operation face of the first section  11  has a round upper portion and protrudes slightly more than the ten-key  22 . The keys  15  are pushed in substantially the same direction as the pushing direction of the ten-key  22  (see direction “D”). 
     Each of the keys  15  has a lighting indicator, such as an LED, in the top of the key or by the key. The lighting indicator is to indicate that the corresponding key  15  has been pushed to select the corresponding mode. 
     The operation panel  10  is capable of pivoting in a first direction “E” (see  FIG. 4 ) along the vertical plane and also capable of pivoting in a second direction “F” (see  FIG. 2 ) along the horizontal plane. A first support unit  40  which supports the operation panel  10  so as to pivot in the first direction “E” and a second support unit  60  which supports the operation panel  10  so as to pivot in the second direction “F” are hereinafter described. 
     First and Second Support Units; See  FIGS. 6-12   
     As  FIGS. 6-9  show, the first support unit  40  has a pivot shaft  44  inserted through a pipe  43  provided between fixed brackets  41  and  42 . On both ends of the pivot shaft  44 , movable brackets  45  and  46  are fitted in such a way to pivot in the first direction “E”. The operation panel  10  is screwed onto protruding tabs  45   a  and  46   a  of the movable brackets  45  and  46 . 
     A holder bracket  47  is fixed on the movable brackets  45  and  46 , and a lock member  48  (see  FIG. 11 ) with a lock claw  48   a  is fitted to the holder bracket  47  such that the lock member  48  is capable of pivoting on a pin  48   b . An end of the lock member  48  is connected to a slide member  49  through a pin  48   c . The slide member  49  is fitted to the holder bracket  47  such that a long hole  49   a  of the slide member  49  will be in engagement with a pin  47   a  of the holder bracket  47 , so that the slide member  49  is capable of sliding in the direction “G”. A tab  50  is fixed to the movable bracket  46 , and a coil spring  51  is provided between the slide member  49  and the tab  50 , so that the slide member  49  is forced to return to the rear by the coil spring  51 . Further, at an end of the slide member  49 , a handle  52  is fixed. 
     As  FIGS. 6-9  show, in the meantime, three lock holes  41   a ,  41   b  and  41   c  are made in the fixed bracket  41 , and one lock hole  45   b  is made in the movable bracket  45 . The lock claw  48   a  pierces through one of the three lock holes  41   a ,  41   b  and  41   c  of the fixed bracket  41  and further pierces through the lock hole  45   b  of the movable bracket  45 . In this way, the movable brackets  45  and  46  and accordingly the operation panel  10  can be locked at either one of three pivot angles. 
     In the first support unit  40  of the above-described structure, a default position (see  FIG. 7 ) of the operation panel  10  in the first direction “E” is a state where the lock claw  48   a  is piercing through the uppermost lock hole  41   a  of the fixed bracket  41 . In this state, as  FIG. 4  shows, the operation face of the second section  21  is set in a position to be at an angle of approximately 7 degrees to the horizontal plane “C”. When an operator pulls the handle  52  forward (in the direction “G”), as  FIG. 11  shows, the slide member  49  is also pulled forward together with the handle  52 , and the lock member  48  pivots on the pin  48   b  clockwise. Thereby, the lock claw  48   a  comes out of engagement with the lock holes  41   a ,  41   b  and  41   c , and the operation panel  10  becomes capable of pivoting in the first direction “E” freely. 
     In the unlocked state, as the handle  52  is being pushed down, the operation panel  10  pivots downward on the pivot shaft  44 . Then, when the lock claw  48   a  is engaged with the lock hole  45   b  via the middle lock hole  41   b , the operation panel  10  is locked in a middle level. Alternatively, when the lock claw  48   a  is engaged with the lock hole  45   b  via the lowermost lock hole  41   c , the operation panel  10  is locked in a lowermost level (see  FIG. 9 ). The lowermost locked position of the operation panel  10  is a position pivoted down at approximately 20 degrees to 30 degrees from the default position. 
     In locking the operation panel  10  in one of the three positions, when the operator stops pulling the handle  52 , the slide member  49  slides back to the rear by the spring force of the coil spring  51 . Meanwhile, the lock member  48  pivots on the pin  48   b  counterclockwise in  FIG. 11 , and the lock claw  48   a  comes into engagement with the lock hole  45   b  via one of the lock holes  41   a ,  41   b  and  41   c.    
     As  FIGS. 6 and 9  show, a coil spring  53  is wound around the pipe  43 . An end of the coil spring  53  is engaged with the fixed bracket  42 , and the other end of the coil spring  53  is engaged with the movable bracket  46 . While the operation panel  10  is pivoting downward, the spring force of the coil spring  53  acts as a resistance, which prevents the operation panel  10  from falling down. The coil spring  53  also lightens the load to pivot the operation panel  10  upward. Thus, the coil spring  53  functions as a balancer which supports the operation panel  10  against the gravity. 
     Next, the second support unit  60  which supports the operation panel  10  so as to pivot in the second direction “F” along the horizontal plane “C” is described. 
     As  FIG. 6  shows, a pivot shaft  63  is vertically fixed to horizontal brackets  61  and  62 , and the pivot shaft  63  pierces through a hole  42   a  of the bracket  42 . Thereby, the bracket  42  is capable of pivoting on the shaft  63  in the horizontal plane. The horizontal brackets  61  and  62  are fixed on the front surface of the image reading unit  8  via the fixed bracket  64 . 
     Washers  65  are provided between the bracket  41  and the horizontal bracket  61  and between the bracket  42  and the horizontal bracket  62 . The washers  65  also apply a resistance to the pivot in the second direction “F”. The surfaces of the washers  65  which are in contact with the brackets  41  and  42  are coated with a lubricant, for example, fluorine, very high density polyethylene or the like. The surfaces of the washers  65  which are in contact with the horizontal brackets  61  and  62  do not have any particular treatments or have a treatment with a braking effect such as a blast treatment. 
     With the second support unit  60  of the above-described structure, when an operator pushes the operation panel  10  horizontally, the operation panel  10  pivots right and left on the pivot shaft  63  (see  FIG. 12 ). At this moment, the washers  65  apply a moderate resistance to the pivot. The strength of the resistance applied by the washers  65  is adjustable by adjusting the pressure between the brackets  41  and  61  and the pressure between the brackets  42  and  62 . More specifically, by adjusting clamping force of a nut  66  to the shaft  63 , the resistance can be adjusted. 
     The default position of the operation panel  10  in the second direction “F” is a position where the lateral rows of keys of the ten-key  22  and the other keys are in parallel to the front surface of the copying machine body  2 . The operation panel  10  is capable of pivoting from this default position toward an operator, that is, leftward within a range of approximately 25 degrees to 35 degrees (see  FIG. 12 ), and the operation panel  10  can be set at an angle within this range. 
     Effect of the Support Units 
     With the above-described operation panel support structure having the first and second support units  40  and  60 , the operation panel  10  is capable of pivoting in the vertical plane and in the horizontal plane. Therefore, an operator can set the first and second operation planes at desirable angles in accordance with his/her height and posture or in accordance with whether the operator is in a wheelchair, and thus, the operation panel  10  can comply with a demand for universal design. 
     Regarding the first direction “E”, since the operation panel structure has a lock system which permits the operation panel  10  to be locked in one of a plural number of (three) optional positions, it will not take so long a time for an operator to decide the position of the operation panel  10 . Also, even if the keys are handled roughly, the operation panel  10  sufficiently withstands pressure applied thereto in the gravitational direction, and there is no fear that the support unit  40  may become rickety and/or loose. Regarding the second direction “F”, the washers  65  function as a brake member to apply a moderate resistance to a pivot, and thereby, the pivot in the horizontal direction can be well controlled, which is naturally difficult for human beings. 
     The first support unit  40  is fitted to the second support unit  60 , and the pivot in the first direction “E” is independent of the pivot in the second direction “F”. Accordingly, it is possible to pivot the operation panel  10  in the second direction “F” whether the operation panel  10  is locked in the first direction “E” or is unlocked in the first direction “E”. Also, it is possible to pivot the operation panel  10  in the first direction “E” and in the second direction “F” simultaneously while the operation panel  10  is unlocked. Therefore, an operator can adjust the angle of the operation panel  10  freely. 
     The coil spring  53  functions as a balancer which supports the operation panel  10  against the gravity, and thereby, an upward pivot of the operation panel  10  is facilitated. According to the present invention, however, such a balancer is not inevitable and can be omitted. Instead of the balancer, as in the second support unit  60 , a washer  55  (see  FIG. 6 ) may function as a brake member to apply a moderate resistance to a pivot in the first direction “E”. Also, as long as the lock system is provided, the brake member to a pivot in the first direction “E” is not inevitable and can be omitted. 
     Locations of the Pivot Shafts 
     The pivot shaft  44  of the first support unit  40  is located under the first section  11 , in the rear from the center “J” of the first operation face (see  FIG. 2 ). The pivot shaft  63  of the second support unit  60  is located under the first section  11 , on the left side from the center “J” of the first operation face.  FIGS. 2 and 4  show a preferred example of locations of the pivot shafts  44  and  63 . In the preferred example, the pivot shaft  44  is located substantially in the middle of the distance K 1  between the center “J” and the rear edge of the first operation face, and the pivot shaft  63  is located distant from the center “J” by approximately one third of a distance K 2  between the center “J” and the left edge of the first operation face. 
     Since the pivot shaft  44  of the first support unit  40  is located in the rear from the center “J” of the first operation face, while the operation panel  10  is pivoting in the first direction “E”, there is no possibility that the rear side of the operation panel  10  may be lifted up unnecessarily and may interfere with a large-sized sheet sticking out of the document tray. Also, the forward protrusion of the operation panel  10  does not become so large, and there is no possibility that the protruding operation panel  10  may interfere with the operator. 
     Since the pivot shaft  63  of the second support unit is located in the left side from the center “J” of the first operation face, there is no possibility that the left side of the operation panel  10  may stick out leftward large and may interfere with an operator which usually stands in the left side of the copying machine body  2 . Also, the operability of the copying machine  1  is not sacrificed. 
     The pivot shaft  44  of the first support unit  40  is located in front of the pivot shaft  63  of the second support unit  60 , and thus, the first support unit  40  is supported by the second support unit  60 . Therefore, the operation panel  10  pivots in the second direction “F” while the operation panel  10  is held at an angle in the first direction “E”, and the position setting of the operation panel  10  is efficient. With this arrangement, also, the angular moment of the operation panel  10  by the gravity is small, and the operation panel  10  is sufficiently strong against downward pressure applied thereto by key inputs. 
     Structure of the Operation Panel and Effect of the Shape of the Operation Panel 
     In the operation panel  10 , the first section  11  mainly functioning as a display and the second section  21  having the ten-key  22  and other keys are made integral with each other such that the respective operation faces of the first section  11  and the second section  21  are at a specified angle to each other in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the copying machine body  2  and are at respective specified angles to the horizontal plane “C”. Therefore, the visibility of the display is good, and the key operation is easy. The first section  11  is rectangular in a plan view, and the liquid crystal display  12  to display various kinds of information can be simply arranged. The second section  21  is substantially semicircular in a plan view, and protrusion of the second section  21  from the copying machine body  2  can be minimized. Therefore, the second section  21  appears compact and compatible and does not interfere with other parts and an operator. Further, the operation panel  10  is easy to access from every direction and can be recognized easily even by a weak-sighted person. 
     Because the front portion of the second section  21  is round in a plan view and because a moderate resistance to a pivot of the operation panel  10  in the horizontal direction “C” is applied, the position setting of the operation panel  10  is efficient. Also, the round front portion of the second section  21  minimizes an impact of interference with an operator and facilitates an access to the second section  21  from every direction. 
     Further, the front portion and the side portions of the second section  21  are round in the thickness direction (see the number  39  in  FIG. 4 ). When an operator takes out a printed and ejected sheet, he/she may bend forward and may hit his/her head against the operation panel  10 . Even in this case, because the second section  21  has a rounded-off corner  39 , the impact on his/her head is weak. 
     On the operation face of the first section  11 , the keys  15  which are seldom used are provided in front of the liquid crystal display  12 , and these keys  15  are operated independently of the operation face of the second section  21  with keys which are often used, such as the ten-key  22 . Thus, the operation panel  10  is easy to handle. Also, each of the seldom-used keys  15  which are provided on the operation face of the first section  11  has a round upper portion. These keys  15  protrude more than the ten-key  22 , and the keys  15  are pushed in substantially the same direction as the pushing direction of the ten-key  22 . Thus, the operation panel  10  is easy to handle. 
     Each of the keys  15  has a lighting indicator, such as an LED, in the top of the key or by the key. This enables an operator to recognize whether the mode corresponding to each of the keys  15  has been selected. 
     Modification of the Lock System; See  FIGS. 13 and 14   
     In the lock system described above, when an operator pulls the handle  52  located in front of the second section  21  of the operation panel  10 , the system is unlocked. Then, the operator can pivot the operation panel  10  while grabbing the second section  21  and the handle  52 . Thus, positioning of the operation panel  10  can be performed naturally. However, as a modification shown by  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the handle  52  may be located by the side of the second section  21 . In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the same parts and members, and the parts and members with the same functions as those in  FIGS. 10-12  are provided with the same reference symbols. 
     In the modified lock system, when the handle  52  is moved in the direction “G′”, the slide member  49  is moved in the direction “G′” also. Accordingly, the pin  48   c  is moved in the long hole  48   d , and the lock member  48  pivots on the pin  48   b  clockwise. Thereby, the lock claw  48   a  is disengaged from the lock hole  41   a ,  41   b  or  41   c  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In the operation panel structure according to the present invention, it is possible to pivot the operation panel in the first direction along the vertical direction and in the second direction along the horizontal direction, and thereby, it is possible to set an operation face of the operation panel in a good position to match with the height and the posture of an operator. Especially regarding the first direction, because of the lock system for permitting the operation panel to be held in a plural number of positions, the operator can set the operation panel in a desired position without being at a loss, and the support units can sufficiently withstand pressure in the gravitational direction and therefore does not become rickety and/or loose. Also, because the brake member applies a moderate resistance to a pivot of the operation panel in the second direction, the pivot in the horizontal direction, which is naturally difficult to handle for human beings, becomes easy. 
     In the operation panel structure, preferably, the first support unit is fitted to the second support unit, and a pivot of the operation panel in the first direction is independent of a pivot of the operation panel in the second direction. 
     In the point of operability of the operation panel structure, it is preferred that an operator pulls a lever so as to unlock the operation panel from the lock system. The lock system may be structured such that the lever comprises a lock claw for permitting a fixed member and a movable member to be engaged with each other and to be disengaged from each other and such that when an operator pulls the lever, the lock claw disengages the fixed member and the movable member from each other. 
     Further, the operation panel may be capable of pivoting in the second direction while being locked with respect to the first direction, or may be capable of pivoting in the second direction while being unlocked with respect to the first direction. Alternatively, the operation panel may be capable of pivoting in the first direction and the second direction simultaneously while being unlocked from the lock system. 
     The first support unit may comprise a balancer for supporting the operation panel in the first direction against gravity. The balancer will facilitate an upward pivot of the operation panel. 
     The brake member for applying a resistance to a pivot in the second direction may be provided in the second support unit. The brake member may comprise a lubricant and may be nipped between the fixed member and the movable member. In this case, the resistance can be adjusted by changing pressure between the fixed member and the movable member. The pressure can be changed by changing clamping force between a bolt and a nut. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The details of the first and second support units can be arbitrarily designed. Also, the first operation face and the second operation face may be arbitrarily designed. The operation panel structure according to the present invention may be applied to various image data input/output devices such as printers and scanners as well as copying machines. 
     Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments above, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are possible to those who are skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being within the present invention.