Patent ID: 8023859

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording unit configured to form an image onto a sheet; a reading unit rotatably supported to the upper portion of the recording unit so as to be openable and closable about one end as a fulcrum and reads an original; an L-shaped guide groove which is provided for one of the recording unit and the reading unit and in which a long groove portion and a short groove portion are connected by a bending portion; and a stay in which a projecting portion provided at one end is fitted into the guide groove and coupled therewith, the other end is swingably coupled with the other one of the recording unit and the reading unit, and the projecting portion moves reciprocatively along the guide groove in an interlocking relational manner with an opening/closure of the reading unit, wherein in a state where the projecting portion is located in the bending portion, the reading unit is in an opening state, in a state where the reading unit has been rotated to its closed state, the projecting portion is located in the long groove portion, in a state where the reading unit is held at its opening position, the projecting portion is located in the short groove portion, and the guide groove has a restricting mechanism configured to alternately guide the projecting portion to the long groove portion and the short groove portion when the projecting portion moves from the bending portion.