Electronic equipment and recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording medium

A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a recording medium comprising:

• a main apparatus portion for housing recording and/or reproducing means for the recording medium, with an insertion/ejection aperture for the recording medium being formed on the front side of the main apparatus portion;
• a front panel having an operating unit having at least one operating switch, said front panel being arranged on the front side of the main apparatus portion;
• and
• a supporting mechanism for supporting the front panel for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the main apparatus portion, said supporting mechanism supporting said front panel for rotation between a position closing said aperture in the main apparatus portion and a position opening said aperture, said supporting mechanism including:
• a shaft provided in one of the front panel and the main apparatus portion and a bearing mounted in the other of the front panel and the main apparatus portion along the axis of rotation, one of the shaft and the bearing being slidably mounted to move parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein the front panel is removed from the main apparatus portion when the slidably mounted shaft or bearing is moved away from the other of the shaft or bearing;
• a gear provided on one of the main apparatus portion and the front panel and a buffer mechanism provided on the other of the main apparatus portion and the front panel, said buffer mechanism being engaged with said gear for slowing the rotational speed of said gear;
• and
• biasing means for biasing said bearing in the direction of said rotational axis toward the shaft, whereby the bearing and shaft are normally engaged with one another, said biasing means having said gear formed thereon.