A recording apparatus includes a discharging roller for discharging, from a main assembly of the apparatus, a recording material having been subjected to a recording operation by recording means; an openable and closable sheet discharge tray for supporting the recording material discharged by the discharging roller; locking means for holding the sheet discharge tray at a closed position; drive transmitting means for transmitting a driving force to release the locking means in interrelation with main assembly driving means; and advancing and retracting means for advancing and retracting the drive transmitting means relative to the main assembly driving means in interrelation with a position of the sheet discharge tray, wherein the locking means is effective to release the locking means by the main assembly driving means so as to permit the drive transmitting means to retract away from the main assembly driving means by a weight of the sheet discharge tray and an urging force of urging means when the sheet discharge tray is at the closed position.