Support structure for image processing apparatus

Abstract

A support structure for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has an apparatus body, a base provided at a lower portion of the apparatus body for supporting the body, and an image processing unit disposed inside the apparatus body or attached thereto. The processing unit is capable of effecting at least either an image forming operation or an image reading operation. The support structure includes a grounding portion formed at and integrally with a bottom of the apparatus base for coming into contact with a contact-object surface such as a floor surface at at least three positions thereof thereby to support the base parallel with the contact-object surface and includes also an elastic projecting portion formed of a material having greater elasticity than a material forming the grounding portion. The elastic projecting portion has a ground-contacting face which projects from a bottom face of the grounding portion under a non-grounded condition of the support structure. Under a grounded condition of the support structure, the elastic projecting portion is elastically deformed, so that the grounding portion is allowed to come into contact with the contact-object surface at at least three positions and also the ground-contacting face contacts the contact-object surface, thereby to together support the base of the apparatus body on the contact-object surface.