Abstract: The present invention includes two side-plates configured to be opposed to each other and to form a frame of a main body of the apparatus, a cartridge with an image bearing member, a moving member configured to support and move the cartridge, a connecting member configured to connect the two side-plates, and a positioning member configured to be held by the connecting member, wherein the moving member, which is movable between the two side-plates, the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the moving member when the moving member is withdrawn to the outside of the main body of the apparatus, and the cartridge is positioned by the positioning member when the moving member is moved and the cartridge is contained in the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.

Abstract: In order to improve a fixing accuracy, provided is an image forming apparatus including a pressing member pressing a first frame and a second frame so that an abutment portion of the first frame abuts on the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame are pressed by the pressing member urged by a fixing member, and the second frame abuts on the abutment portion of the first frame.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably mounts cartridges and includes a support supporting a cartridge, movable between inside and outside positions, an outer wall having an opening through which the support passes through when moving between the inside and outside positions, and a guide supporting the support to linearly move between the inside and outside positions so that when the support is in the outside position, the guide supports the support so that a downstream side thereof is pivotable downwardly about an upstream side of the support with respect to a movement direction to the outside position from the inside position. In this state, the cartridge is mounted to the support from above the support and is dismounted upwardly of the support.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus wherein cartridges are detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, includes a supporting member for supporting the cartridge, movable between an inside position and an outside position; an outer wall; an opening provided in the outer wall, the opening being passed through by the supporting member, when the supporting member moves between the inside position and the outside position; a guiding member for supporting the supporting member movably so that the supporting member moves linearly between the inside position and the outside position, wherein when the supporting member is in the outside position, the guiding member supports the supporting member, so that a downstream side thereof is pivotable downwardly about an upstream side of the supporting member with respect to a movement direction to the outside position from the inside position, wherein in the state that the downstream side is pivoted downwardly about an upstream side

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably is mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an urging member and a positioning portion. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a positionable portion positioning the cartridge by engaging the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus; first and second urgable portions being urged respectively, by first and second urging portions of the urging member to urge the positionable portion to the positioning portion during cartridge mounting; and an electrical contact, provided between the first and second urgable portions with respect to a horizontal direction crossing an axis of the drum, for connecting electrically to an electrical contact portion in the urging member, when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably is mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an urging member and a positioning portion. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a positionable portion positioning the cartridge by engaging the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus; first and second urgable portions being urged respectively, by first and second urging portions of the urging member to urge the positionable portion to the positioning portion during cartridge mounting; and an electrical contact, provided between the first and second urgable portions with respect to a horizontal direction crossing an axis of the drum, for connecting electrically to an electrical contact portion in the urging member, when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The apparatus includes a transfer member contactable to the photosensitive member to transfer a toner image from the photosensitive member thereonto, a tray carrying the cartridge and movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the transfer member and a spaced position spaced from the transfer member, a supporting member supporting the tray for movement parallel with a tangent line between the photosensitive member and the transfer member between a first position positioning the tray at the contact position and a second position retracted from the first position away from the transfer member in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the photosensitive-member axial direction and to the tangent line to position the tray at the spaced position, and engageable and engaging portions engageable with each other.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus usable with process cartridges detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, the cartridges each including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and means actable on the drum, includes a movable member which is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges; a main assembly electrical contact provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member; and an intermediary electrical contact including a first electrical contact portion which is disposed inside the movable member and which is electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of the cartridge and a second electrical contact portion which is disposed outside the movable member and which is electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly, wherein

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably is mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an urging member and a positioning portion. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a positionable portion positioning the cartridge by engaging the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus; first and second urgable portions being urged respectively, by first and second urging portions of the urging member to urge the positionable portion to the positioning portion during cartridge mounting; and an electrical contact, provided between the first and second urgable portions with respect to a horizontal direction crossing an axis of the drum, for connecting electrically to an electrical contact portion in the urging member, when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The apparatus includes a transfer member contactable to the photosensitive member to transfer a toner image from the photosensitive member thereonto, a tray carrying the cartridge and movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the transfer member and a spaced position spaced from the transfer member, a supporting member supporting the tray for movement parallel with a tangent line between the photosensitive member and the transfer member between a first position positioning the tray at the contact position and a second position retracted from the first position away from the transfer member in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the photosensitive-member axial direction and to the tangent line to position the tray at the spaced position, and engageable and engaging portions engageable with each other.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges detachably mountable to the apparatus. The cartridges include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The apparatus includes: a movable member movable between the inside and outside of the apparatus while carrying the cartridges; a first electrical contact inside the apparatus along a movement path of the movable member; and a second electrical contact including a first portion inside the movable member and connectable to a cartridge electrical contact and a second portion outside the movable member and connectable to an electrical contact provided in the apparatus. A space is provided between the movable member and the first contact to prevent the movable member from contacting the first electrical contact when moving from outside to inside. The second portion is connected to the first electrical contact when the movable member is lowered after moving linearly from the outside to the inside.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably is mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an urging member and a positioning portion. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a positionable portion positioning the cartridge by engaging the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus; first and second urgable portions being urged respectively, by first and second urging portions of the urging member to urge the positionable portion to the positioning portion during cartridge mounting; and an electrical contact, provided between the first and second urgable portions with respect to a horizontal direction crossing an axis of the drum, for connecting electrically to an electrical contact portion in the urging member, when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably is mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an urging member and a positioning portion. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a positionable portion positioning the cartridge by engaging the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus; first and second urgable portions being urged respectively, by first and second urging portions of the urging member to urge the positionable portion to the positioning portion during cartridge mounting; and an electrical contact, provided between the first and second urgable portions with respect to a horizontal direction crossing an axis of the drum, for connecting electrically to an electrical contact portion in the urging member, when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably is mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an urging member and a positioning portion. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a positionable portion positioning the cartridge by engaging the positioning portion when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus; first and second urgable portions being urged respectively, by first and second urging portions of the urging member to urge the positionable portion to the positioning portion during cartridge mounting; and an electrical contact, provided between the first and second urgable portions with respect to a horizontal direction crossing an axis of the drum, for connecting electrically to an electrical contact portion in the urging member, when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with a process cartridge having a photosensitive member. The apparatus includes a transfer member contactable to the photosensitive member to transfer a toner image from the photosensitive member thereonto, a tray carrying the cartridge and movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the transfer member and a spaced position spaced from the transfer member, a supporting member supporting the tray for movement parallel with a tangent line between the photosensitive member and the transfer member between a first position positioning the tray at the contact position and a second position retracted from the first position away from the transfer member in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the photosensitive-member axial direction and to the tangent line to position the tray at the spaced position; and engageable and engaging portions engageable with each other. The engaging portion regulates movement of the tray.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus wherein cartridges are detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, includes a supporting member for supporting the cartridge, movable between an inside position and an outside position; an outer wall; an opening provided in the outer wall, the opening being passed through by the supporting member, when the supporting member moves between the inside position and the outside position; a guiding member for supporting the supporting member movably so that the supporting member moves linearly between the inside position and the outside position, wherein when the supporting member is in the outside position, the guiding member supports the supporting member, so that a downstream side thereof is pivotable downwardly about an upstream side of the supporting member with respect to a movement direction to the outside position from the inside position, wherein in the state that the downstream side is pivoted downwardly about an upstream side

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus usable with process cartridges detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, the cartridges each including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and means actable on the drum, includes a movable member which is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges; a main assembly electrical contact provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member; and an intermediary electrical contact including a first electrical contact portion which is disposed inside the movable member and which is electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of the cartridge and a second electrical contact portion which is disposed outside the movable member and which is electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly, wherein

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably mounts a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The apparatus includes a frame, a door, and a tray carrying the cartridge. The tray is movable among a first position inside the frame when the door is closed and the drum forms a latent image, a second position when the door is open and the tray protrudes from the frame to permit cartridge mounting and demounting, and a third position between the first and second positions where the tray is movable to the first position with closing of the door. Also, a regulating member moves between a regulating position regulating movement of the door from an opening position to a position where the tray is beyond the third position, and a permitting position permitting movement of the door from the opening to the closing position when the tray is at the third position.