A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus includes a movable stage; a pair of
engaging members provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members
positioned between the engaging members and movable along an imaginary
straight line passing through the engaging members; a first link member
movable along a reference straight line between the lock members; a pair
of second link members rotatably mounted on the first link member and
rotatably mounted on the lock members; a lock driving device which moves
the lock members mutually away from each other to engage with the
engaging members by moving the first link member along the reference
straight line; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members
mutually toward each other so as to disengage with the engaging members
by moving the first link member in the other direction along the
reference straight line.