Patent ID: 7489887

Claim:
A support structure for an image processing apparatus having an apparatus body, a base provided at a lower portion of the apparatus body for supporting the body, and an image processing unit disposed inside the apparatus body or attached thereto, the unit being capable of effecting at least either an image forming operation or an image reading operation, the structure comprising: a grounding portion having a bottom face for coming into contact with a contact-object surface, said grounding portion being formed at the bottom of the base; an elastic projecting portion formed of a material having greater elasticity than a material forming said grounding portion; said elastic projecting portion being provided in said grounding portion, said elastic projecting portion having a ground-contacting face for coming into contact with the contact-object surface; under a non-contacting condition of said elastic projecting portion relative to said contact-object surface, said ground-contacting face projecting from a bottom face of said grounding portion; under a contacting condition of said elastic projecting portion relative to said contact-object surface, said elastic projecting portion being elastically deformed, so as to allow said grounding portion to come into contact with said contact-object surface; and under a grounded condition of said grounding portion, said grounding portion coming into contact with only a portion and not all of said elastic projecting portion in a direction along said contact-object surface to said contact-object surface.