Patent ID: 7518768

Claim:
An image reading apparatus for reading out an image of a document, comprising: a document table on which a document to be read is placed; a cover member which covers the document placed in the document table; a support structure which supports a main body of the image reading apparatus in a vertically placed condition where the document table is placed nearly vertically relative to a resting surface on which the main body is placed; and a storage section which stores the support structure on a bottom portion on the side of the resting surface of the main body in a horizontally placed condition where the document table is placed nearly horizontally relative to the resting surface, wherein the support structure has a supporting portion which is pivotally mounted on the bottom portion and supports the bottom portion of the main body, and a holding portion which holds an end portion of the main body on the side of the resting surface, wherein the support structure includes: a first pivot member, one end of which is disposed pivotally to the main body; a second pivot member, one end of which is disposed pivotally to the other end of the first pivot member and which faces the resting surface in the vertically placed condition; and a third pivot member, one end of which is disposed pivotally to the other end of the second pivot member, and a pivotal movement of which is restricted by a restriction portion relative to the second pivot member in a condition where the third pivot member is openable by a predetermined angle, to hold the main body, wherein the supporting portion is configured by the first pivot member, and the holding portion is configured by the second and third pivot members.