Image reading apparatus and image composite apparatus having a document reader openably and closably attached to an upper part of the apparatus

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an apparatus main body for performing an image forming operation;
• a document reader displaceable between a closing posture and an opening posture by rotating about a specified supporting shaft relative to an upper surface of the apparatus main body;
• a coupling arm having a first end and a second end located at a side opposite to the first end, the first end being rotatably coupled to the apparatus main body and the second end being movably coupled to the document reader, and displaceable between a first posture to support the document reader in the opening posture in a standing state and a second posture taken when the document reader is in the closing posture and closer to a horizontal posture than the standing posture;
• a guiding member provided at the document reader and having a guiding surface for guiding a movement of the second end of the coupling arm;
• and
• a stopper supported rotatably about a specified shaft so as to be displaceable between an interfering posture to interfere with the second end of the coupling arm and a freeing posture to free the second end from interference,
• wherein an escaping recess capable of accommodating the second end therein is formed in the guiding surface of the guiding member, and the second end is guided into the escaping recess by a pushing force given from the stopper to the second end when the stopper is displaced from the interfering posture to the freeing posture.