Image forming apparatus provided with a movable document table

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a main body having an image forming means;
• a document table for holding the document, the table being movable reciprocatingly to the left and right sides of the apparatus when viewed from front over an upper surface of the main body;
• drive means for moving the document table;
• movement control means for mechanically executing at least one operation of:
• a) switching a moving direction of the document table;
• and
• b) locking the document table in a predetermined position;
• the movement control means including:
• a restraining member provided in a specified position of the document table;
• a lock member mounted to the main body of the apparatus and engageable with the restraining member;
• and
• an actuating mechanism for actuating the lock member, the actuating mechanism actuating the lock member to engage with the restraining member so as to lock the document table in the predetermined position when the drive means is stopped;
• the actuating mechanism synchronizing with the drive means and including a lock driving device having an actuating member operably associated with the lock member;
• and
• the actuating member being brought to a first position when the drive means is stopped and to a second position when the drive means is started, the actuating member causing the lock member to engage with the restraining member in the first position and causing the lock member to disengage from the restraining member in the second position;
• first stopper means for stopping the document table in such a position where the restraining member and lock member engage with each other;
• the first stopper means including a contact member pivotably mounted to the document table and a second stopper member mounted to the main body of the apparatus;
• and
• the contact member being operable in association with the actuating member through the lock member, and being in such a position as to come into contact with the second stopper member with movement of the document table when the actuating member is in the second position and to be away from the second stopper member regardless of movement of the document table when the actuating member is in the first position.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a main body having an image forming means;
• a document table for holding the document, the table being movable reciprocatingly to the left and right sides of the apparatus when viewed from front over an upper surface of the main body;
• drive means for moving the document table;
• movement control means for mechanically executing at least one operation of:
• a) switching a moving direction of the document table;
• and
• b) locking the document table in a predetermined position;
• the movement control means including a contact member pivotably mounted in a specified position of the document table, a second stopper means provided on the main body of the apparatus, and an actuating mechanism for actuating the contact member;
• the contact member coming into contact with the second stopper means when the document table moves in one direction either to the left or right, thereby preventing the document table from moving further in the one direction, and is caused to pivot upwardly by the second stopper means upon coming into contact with the second stopper means thereby to move over the second stopper means when the document table moves in a direction opposite to the one direction;
• and
• the actuating member causing the contact member to move out of contact with the second stopper means when the drive means is started, thereby allowing the document table to move in the one direction.