Information processing apparatus with front cover

An information processing apparatus comprising:

• a main unit having a slot formed in a surface and a cover mounting portion formed on the surface and capable of being detachably loaded with an electronic device through the slot;
• a cover provided on the surface of the main unit for covering the slot and having an end portion disposed in the cover mounting portion;
• and
• a hinge mechanism having a shaft for rockably supporting the end portion of the cover on the cover mounting portion of the main unit, the hinge mechanism detachably connecting the cover and the main unit and allowing the cover to rock around the shaft from a position where the cover closes the slot to position where the slot is opened, the cover being separable from the main unit at the hinge mechanism,
• wherein said hinge mechanism is configured so that the open cover separates from the main unit with the shaft remaining in the main unit when the cover is pulled away from the surface of the main unit,
• wherein said hinge mechanism is configured so that the open cover separates from the main unit with the shaft remaining in the main unit when the cover is further opened for an angle wider than a given angle, and
• wherein said hinge mechanism includes a first hinge portion, attached to the cover mounting portion of the main unit and having the shaft extending along the surface of the main unit, and a second hinge portion, attached to the end portion of the cover, capable of holding the shaft of the first hinge portion for rocking motion by means of the elastic force thereof, and adapted to separate from the shaft when the cover is subjected to a tensile force in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the shaft and/or when the cover is swung open for an angle wider than the given angle.