A return mechanism (10, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) for an operating section and a working section, the return mechanism (10, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) comprising: the operating section; the working section; a base; a first spring that acts between the operating section and the working section; and a second spring that acts between the operating section and the base, the operating section being moved from a first position to a second position by an external force and being moved from the second position to the first position by a force that is applied from the second spring, the working section being moved between a third position and a fourth position in response to a motion of the operating section between the first position and the second position, the first spring causing the working section to be moved by elastic energy stored by at least either an external force that is applied to the operating section or the force that is applied from the second spring, the second spring causing the operating section to be returned to the first position by elastic energy stored by the external force that is applied to the operating section, in a case where the working section is in at least either the third position or the fourth position, a retention force that causes the working section to be retained in that position acting on the working section, said second spring acting between the operating section and the base such that a direction in which the force of the second spring is applied to the operating section when the operating section is in the first position is not parallel to a direction in which the force of the second spring is applied to the operating section when the operating section is in the second position, said second spring acting between the operating section and the base such that a component of the force of the second spring which acts in a direction of motion of the operating section is smaller when the operating section is in the second position than in the first position, assuming that a direction of return of the operating section is positive. the operating section; the working section; a base; a first spring that acts between the operating section and the working section; and a second spring that acts between the operating section and the base, the operating section being moved from a first position to a second position by an external force and being moved from the second position to the first position by a force that is applied from the second spring, the working section being moved between a third position and a fourth position in response to a motion of the operating section between the first position and the second position, the first spring causing the working section to be moved by elastic energy stored by at least either an external force that is applied to the operating section or the force that is applied from the second spring, the second spring causing the operating section to be returned to the first position by elastic energy stored by the external force that is applied to the operating section, in a case where the working section is in at least either the third position or the fourth position, a retention force that causes the working section to be retained in that position acting on the working section, said second spring acting between the operating section and the base such that a direction in which the force of the second spring is applied to the operating section when the operating section is in the first position is not parallel to a direction in which the force of the second spring is applied to the operating section when the operating section is in the second position, said second spring acting between the operating section and the base such that a component of the force of the second spring which acts in a direction of motion of the operating section is smaller when the operating section is in the second position than in the first position, assuming that a direction of return of the operating section is positive.