Abstract: A frame structure usable in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a laser source, the apparatus includes a first wall; a second wall opposed to the first wall; first and second connecting members bridging between the first wall and the second wall; a scanner supporting member for supporting an optical device between the first connecting member and the second connecting member; a motor supporting member for supporting a motor between the scanner supporting member and the first wall; wherein the walls, connecting members, scanner supporting member and motor supporting member are integrally molded.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a process device actable on the image bearing member; an elastic device; a receptor for receiving a force against an elastic force of the elastic device in contact with the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; where when the process cartridge is to be taken out of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the elastic device displaces the process cartridge by the elastic force of the elastic device.

Abstract: A gear unit usable with an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, an image fixing unit for fixing on a recording material a toner image formed on the image bearing member and transferred to the recording material from the image bearing member, and a feeder for feeding the recording material, the gear unit includes an image bearing member driving gear for transmitting a driving force to the image bearing member; fixing device driving gear for transmitting a driving force to the fixing unit; a feed drive gear for transmitting a driving force to the feeder: a supporting member for supporting the image bearing member driving gear, the image fixing device driving gear and the feed driving gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for performing a recording operation with respect to a recording medium, includes an image forming device for forming an image on a recording medium, a recording medium receiver for receiving the recording medium on which the image is formed, and a laser beam emitter, arranged below the recording medium receiver, for emitting a laser beam in accordance with image information so as to cause the image forming device to form an image. The laser beam emitter is arranged below the recording medium receiver to emit a laser beam obliquely upward.

Abstract: An assembling method of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes preparing a frame, a feeding unit having a feeding roller, electrical component unit having electrical components and an outer cover; mounting the feeding unit and the electrical component unit to the frame from a position of the frame which takes a bottom position upon installation of the image forming apparatus; and then overturning of the frame; mounting the outer cover to the frame from a position which takes a top position upon installation of the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the image forming apparatus including a mounting device for mounting a process cartridge having an image bearing member comprising a helical gear, and a process device actable on the image bearing member; a feeder for feeding the recording material; and projection device for projecting image information light onto the image bearing member in a direction from a projection reference disposed at one side of an axis of the image bearing member to the other side; a positioning reference for positioning the image bearing member in its axial direction; feed guide reference for guiding the recording material fed by the feeder; and wherein the positioning reference, the feed guide reference and the projection reference are disposed in a same side of a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus with a regulating guide disposed along a sheet feeding path and adapted to regulate a position of a lateral edge of a sheet, first and second rotary members for feeding the sheet along the sheet feeding path and for applying force to the sheet to urge the lateral edge of the sheet against the regulating guide, and a support device for supporting the first and second rotary members in such a manner that they can be shifted in response to reaction force corresponding to the aforementioned force and received from the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming an image on to a recording material and a driving source for driving the image formation device. A plurality of drive force transmitting members transmit a drive force from the driving source to the image forming device and a plurality of electrical equipment units, mounted on a substrate, control the image forming device. A grounded metal plate which supports the plurality of driving force transmitting members is interposed between at least two of the plurality of electrical equipment units.