Image forming apparatus

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a cover configured to pivot about an axis between an open position and a closed position relative to the image forming apparatus; and

a mechanism comprising:

an image forming unit that forms an image and extends in a longitudinal direction thereof substantially perpendicular to the axis;

an exposing unit that longitudinally extends in a first direction substantially perpendicularly to the axis, and is movable in the first direction along an image forming section, the exposing unit including a first longitudinal end portion and a second longitudinal end portion located on a side of the exposing unit opposite the first longitudinal end portion, the first longitudinal end portion being closer to the axis than the second longitudinal end portion, the exposing unit operating in accordance with image data, so that the image forming unit forms the image; and

a supporting mechanism that is mounted on the cover and supports the exposing unit so that the exposing unit is movable relative to the cover,

wherein when the cover is closed, the exposing unit moves toward the axis, so that the exposing unit is positioned in a place relative to the image forming section.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanism includes a plurality of mechanisms.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exposing unit includes a movable member that includes an engagement portion formed at the second longitudinal end portion of the exposing unit; and

wherein the supporting mechanism includes;

(i) a fixed member secured to the cover, and

(ii) a link including a first longitudinal end portion pivotally coupled to the movable member and a second longitudinal end portion pivotally coupled to the fixed member, and

(iii) an urging member disposed across the fixed member and the movable member so that a portion of the movable member is urged against a portion of the fixed member and the movable member is urged in a direction away from the axis.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exposing unit includes a movable member that includes an engagement portion formed at the second longitudinal end portion of the movable member; and

wherein the supporting mechanism includes:

(i) a fixed member secured to the cover, and

(ii) at least one first coupling portion formed on one of the fixed member and the movable member.

(iii) at least one second coupling portion of one of the fixed member and the movable member, and

(iv) an urging member disposed across the fixed member and the movable member, the urging member urging the movable member in a direction away from the axis.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exposing unit includes a movable member that includes an engagement portion formed at the second longitudinal end portion of the exposing unit,

wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a guide surface formed on a chassis of the image forming apparatus and inclined relative to the first direction, and

wherein when the cover is closed relative to the image forming apparatus, the guide surface abuts the engagement portion and guides the engagement portion toward the axis.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a guide surface formed on a chassis of the image forming apparatus and inclined relative to the first direction, wherein when the cover is closed relative to the image forming apparatus, the guide surface abuts the engagement portion and guides the engagement portion toward the axis.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,

wherein the engagement portion includes a roller that rolls on the guide surface when the cover is closed relative to the image forming apparatus.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,

wherein the fixed member includes a portion against which the movable member is urged and on which the movable member is slidable.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the link is coupled to the movable member so that the movable member is swingable relative to the link.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when an external force pushes the second longitudinal end portion toward the axis in the first direction, the movable member moves to a first position, and when the external force is removed from the second longitudinal end portion, the movable member moves to a second position further away from the axis than the first position.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one first coupling portion is an elongate opening and the at least one second coupling portion is a rod, the elongate opening being elongated in a direction perpendicular to the axis and the rod extends through the elongate opening.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the engagement portion includes a roller that rolls on the guide surface when the cover is closed relative to the image forming apparatus.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a fixed member secured to the cover, wherein the fixed member includes a portion against which the movable member is urged and on which the movable member is slidable.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the chassis further comprises a first positioning portion and the movable member includes a second positioning portion; and

wherein when the cover is closed completely, the first positioning portion engages the second positioning portion to place the movable member in position.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein when the cover is closed completely, the movable member is at a position such that a roller is spaced from the chassis by a gap.