Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a plurality of photoreceptors provided along a sheet transportation path and each extending perpendicularly to the sheet transportation path; and an imaging mechanism for forming toner images on surfaces of the respective photoreceptors. A pair of support plates receive opposite end circumferential portions of the respective photoreceptors to support the photoreceptors together in a parallel relation. Bearings are fitted around the opposite end circumferential portions of the respective photoreceptors, and the pair of support plates each have the same number of cut-away portions as the number of the photoreceptors for receiving outer rings of the bearings, the cut-away portions being formed in a spaced apart relation.

Abstract: An image-forming machine which has an image-forming unit that moves substantially horizontally between an acting position in a housing and a non-acting position that is drawn out forward. The image-forming unit has a frame having a front wall member and a rear wall member, and a plurality of image-forming devices mounted on the frame. The front wall has a pair of receiving holes arranged at a distance in the transverse direction and the rear wall has a pair of pins located at a distance in the transverse direction. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a pair of pins located in the front and a pair of receiving holds in the rear such that when the image-forming unit is brought to the acting position, the receiving holes of the front wall engage the front pins of the housing and the pins on the rear wall engage the receiving holes in the rear of the housing.