Abstract: A retracting locking mechanism for an openable unit includes a striker attached to one of the openable unit and a fixed unit, and a catcher attached to the other of the openable unit and the fixed unit. The catcher includes an inner part, and an outer part for housing the inner part. A coil spring is disposed between the inner and outer parts for biasing the inner part in a retreating direction to pull into the outer part. A dampening device provides dampening force to the retreating movement of the inner part caused by the coil spring.

Abstract: A housing in which a heat source for heating a member to be heated is disposable includes a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction. Each of the first end and the second end is linked to a duct. A blowing unit is provided at the first end of the housing and causes an airflow in a space formed in a state in which the heat source is disposed in the housing. The duct linked to the second end of the housing is formed to extend from the second end. A length of the duct linked to the second end of the housing is longer than a hydraulic diameter by a predetermined number of times or more.

Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming apparatuses has a pallet to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the pallet. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the pallet. When securing the article to the pallet, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first frame plate and a second frame plate, which has an extended portion horizontally extending by a predetermined length compared with the first frame plate. The first and second frame plates are oppositely disposed spaced apart by a predetermined width from each other. An open and close unit, which includes a recording medium conveying system, is disposed within an area of the extended portion between the first and second frame plates and is configured to freely open and close with respect to the image forming apparatus. And a drive controlling mechanism is configured to control the recording medium conveying system. The extended portion supports at least a portion of the drive controlling mechanism so as to be separately mounted on a side of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An air exhaust device for use in an image forming apparatus includes a duct and a fan unit arranged in the duct. The duct includes a resilient holding member configured to resiliently hold the fan unit. The air exhaust device is arranged in a main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A retracting locking mechanism for an openable unit includes a striker attached to one of the openable unit and a fixed unit, and a catcher attached to the other of the openable unit and the fixed unit. The catcher includes an inner part, and an outer part for housing the inner part. A coil spring is disposed between the inner and outer parts for biasing the inner part in a retreating direction to pull into the outer part. A dampening device provides dampening force to the retreating movement of the inner part caused by the coil spring.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an optical writing device. The optical writing device includes an optical writing unit that emits laser light beams toward image carriers, an outer case that accommodates the optical writing unit, and air supplying devices that supply air into the outer case. The outer case includes openings through which the laser light beams pass. Another image forming apparatus includes an optical writing device that emits laser light beams toward image carriers to form latent images thereon, partition members that are interposed between the image carriers and the optical writing device and that have openings elongating along a scanning direction of the optical writing device, and shutter mechanisms including shutter members to open and close the openings. The laser light beams are emitted from the optical writing device toward the image carriers through the openings.

Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming. apparatuses has a palette to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the palette. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the palette. When securing the article to the palette, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.

Abstract: An air exhaust device for use in an image forming apparatus includes a duct and a fan unit arranged in the duct. The duct includes a resilient holding member configured to resiliently hold the fan unit. The air exhaust device is arranged in a main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming device for electrostatic recording apparatus which has a plurality of replacement units, and a case holding the replacement units and is integrally removable from the device body by sliding toward one direction, and in which each replacement unit is placed in operable position when the replacement unit holding case is set to a given position in the device body. In the replacement unit holding case, provided is a mechanism for automatically removing the position of each replacement unit further away from each other than the given setting position of each replacement unit, by pulling out the case from the device body.