Control panel support mechanism, control panel assembly, and image forming apparatus

A control panel assembly comprising:

• a control panel of an image forming apparatus;
• and
• a control panel support mechanism supporting the control panel so that the control panel is vertically swingable with respect to the image forming apparatus, the control panel support mechanism including:
• a first support member configured to be attached to the image forming apparatus;
• a second support member configured to support the control panel and axially supported by the first support member to be vertically swingable with respect to the first support member;
• a lock member configured to be slidable towards or away from a swing axis of the second support member;
• and
• a biasing unit configured to bias the lock member to slide towards the swing axis, wherein
• the first support member has a plurality of engaging grooves each positioned along a radial direction with respect to the swing axis and having an opening at an end of the first support member opposite the swing axis, the plurality of engaging grooves being aligned vertically, and
• the biasing unit biases the lock member so that the lock member enters one of the plurality of engaging grooves through the opening to lock in engagement with the engaging groove.

An image forming apparatus having a control panel assembly, the control panel assembly comprising:

• a control panel;
• and
• a control panel support mechanism supporting the control panel so that the control panel is vertically swingable with respect to the image forming apparatus, the control panel support mechanism including:
• a first support member attached to the image forming apparatus;
• a second support member configured to support the control panel and axially supported by the first support member to be vertically swingable with respect to the first support member;
• a lock member configured to be slidable towards or away from a swing axis of the second support member;
• and
• a biasing unit configured to bias the lock member to slide towards the swing axis, wherein
• the first support member has a plurality of engaging grooves each positioned along a radial direction with respect to the swing axis and having an opening at an end of the first support member opposite the swing axis, the plurality of engaging grooves being aligned vertically, and
• the biasing unit biases the lock member so that the lock member enters one of the plurality of engaging grooves through the opening to lock in engagement with the engaging groove.