Image forming apparatus with rotating operation panel

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.