US 12,486,939 B2
Image forming apparatus with rotating operation panel
Tung Xuan Nguyen, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/772,278.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-116759 (JP), filed on Jul. 18, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0027598 A1, Jan. 23, 2025
Int. Cl. G03G 21/16 (2006.01); B41J 29/00 (2006.01); E05D 11/08 (2006.01); F16M 11/10 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16M 11/10 (2013.01) [B41J 29/00 (2013.01); G03G 15/5016 (2013.01); G03G 21/1647 (2013.01); E05D 11/084 (2013.01); E05D 11/087 (2013.01)] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a locking mechanism that maintains an operation panel, which is rotatably supported by an apparatus main body, in its initial posture, wherein
the locking mechanism includes
a cap that is rotatable integrally with the operation panel,
a rotating member on which the cap is rotatably supported,
a fixed member by which the rotating member is rotatably supported and which is fixed to the apparatus main body,
a first coil spring that is externally fitted to the rotating member and connects the rotating member and the cap, and
a second coil spring that connects the rotating member and the fixed member and has a winding direction opposite to that of the first coil spring,
when a force is applied to the operation panel in one direction, a force is applied to the first coil spring in a loosening direction via the cap, and the first coil spring is elastically deformed to allow the operation panel to rotate integrally with the cap, and when the force is released, the first coil spring is elastically returned to allow the operation panel to return to its initial posture, and
when a force is applied to the operation panel in another direction opposite to the one direction, a force is applied to the second coil spring in a loosening direction via the cap and the rotating member, and the second coil spring is elastically deformed to allow the operation panel to rotate integrally with the cap and the rotating member, and when the force is released, the second coil spring is elastically returned to allow the operation panel to return to its initial posture.