Abstract: A cover opening and closing mechanism, including: a housing; a cover; a first locking mechanism having a first stopper portion and a first receiving portion which are brought to a locked state when the cover is in the closed position; and a second locking mechanism having a second stopper portion and a second receiving portion which are brought to a locked state when the cover is in the closed position, and wherein, when the cover is moved to the closed position, the first stopper portion and the first receiving portion move with respect to each other in a first direction, move with respect to each other in a second direction, and thereafter are brought to the locked state, and the second stopper portion moves in the second direction in connection with movement of the first stopper portion so that the second locking mechanism is brought to the locked state.

Abstract: A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction.

Abstract: Image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an image forming unit removable from the casing in a first direction; and plural developer cartridges. The cartridges may be attached and detached with respect to the image forming unit in a second direction that is inclined toward the first direction. Other image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an exposure device; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached and detached with respect to the casing in a first direction; and a recording medium transport system for transporting recording media adjacent the photosensitive members in a second direction. The first direction may be inclined with respect to the second direction, and at least a portion of optical paths of the light emitted from the exposure device may extend parallel with the first direction. Aspects also relate to image forming units, e.g., for use in image forming apparatuses as described above.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover moving between a first position where the cover opens an opening and a second position where the cover closes the opening; photoconductors arrayed in a predetermined direction; and exposure members provided in one to one correspondence with the photoconductors. Each exposure member exposes a corresponding photoconductor and moves between third and fourth positions. The apparatus also includes moving mechanisms provided in one to one correspondence with the exposure members, each moving mechanism moving the corresponding exposure member between the first and second positions; a power transmission mechanism transmitting power from the cover to the moving mechanisms such that movement of the cover from the second position to the first position causes each moving mechanism to move the corresponding exposure member from the third position to the fourth position. Each exposure member tilts when moving from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A holder unit is configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums such that the plurality of photosensitive drums are arrayed in a predetermined direction and juxtaposed with each other with a space between neighboring photosensitive drums. A plurality of developing units is held by the holder unit, each is provided in association with each photosensitive drum, and each includes a developing roller displaceable between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position where the developing roller is spaced away from the photosensitive drum. A spacer member has a plurality of retaining portions each in association with each developing unit and configured to retain each developing unit at the spaced position, and a linking portion integral with the retaining portions and configured to connect neighboring retaining portions therethrough in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction.

Abstract: A method is for manufacturing a support member for supporting a rotary member having a shaft. The support member is detachably assembled in an image-forming device. The support member has a pair of side plates opposed to each other through the rotary member. Each of the side plate receives the shaft of the rotary member. The method includes forming the pair of side plates through a punching process using the same die.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus which includes an body, a feeding tray, a pickup roller, a roller supporting mechanism which supports the pickup roller, a pressing plate which elevates a sheet at the time of sheet feeding, an ascending mechanism which makes the pressing plate ascent, a drive source which is provided to the body, a drive gear, a one-way clutch mechanism which transmits the driving force to the ascending mechanism, a coupling member which moves in conjunction with a vertical movement of the pickup roller, and a transmission-state switching mechanism which is engaged with the coupling member, and which allows or inhibits the transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the one-way clutch mechanism, in accordance with the movement of the coupling member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.

Abstract: A driving force transmission mechanism is provided. The driving force transmission mechanism includes an input member including a concave shape portion; a rotation driving shaft; and a driving force transmission member that is configured to rotate in a rotation direction of the rotation driving shaft together with the rotation driving shaft. A protrusion is formed on a surface of a tip end portion of the driving force transmission member, the surface is opposed to the concave shape portion, the protrusion is configured to be engaged, from an inner side, with an edge of the concave shape portion when the tip end portion is in a contact with the edge of the concave shape portion and is tilted.

Abstract: A holder unit is configured to hold a plurality of photosensitive drums such that the plurality of photosensitive drums are arrayed in a predetermined direction and juxtaposed with each other with a space between neighboring photosensitive drums. A plurality of developing units is held by the holder unit, each is provided in association with each photosensitive drum, and each includes a developing roller displaceable between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position where the developing roller is spaced away from the photosensitive drum. A spacer member has a plurality of retaining portions each in association with each developing unit and configured to retain each developing unit at the spaced position, and a linking portion integral with the retaining portions and configured to connect neighboring retaining portions therethrough in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a changeover flap, a cover, a flap displacement mechanism, an inlet end, an outlet end, and a first conveyer passage extending from the outlet end. A second conveyer passage is bifurcated from the first conveyer passage at a bifurcated portion. The changeover flap is provided at the bifurcated portion and is pivotally movable. The flap displacement mechanism includes a pivot arm pivotally movable. The pivot arm includes a free end portion provided with a linking portion to which the changeover flap is pivotally movably connected. The pivot arm and the changeover flap is configured to change an angle therebetween in accordance with a pivotal movement of the changeover flap and the pivot arm in interlocking relation to the pivotal movement of the cover from its closed position to its open position to displace the linking portion toward the cover.

Abstract: Image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an image forming unit removable from the casing in a first direction; and plural developer cartridges. The cartridges may be attached and detached with respect to the image forming unit in a second direction that is inclined toward the first direction. Other image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an exposure device; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached and detached with respect to the casing in a first direction; and a recording medium transport system for transporting recording media adjacent the photosensitive members in a second direction. The first direction may be inclined with respect to the second direction, and at least a portion of optical paths of the light emitted from the exposure device may extend parallel with the first direction. Aspects also relate to image forming units, e.g., for use in image forming apparatuses as described above.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a process unit configured to be attached to and removed from the main body, the process unit being configured to integrally hold a plurality of image carriers arranged in a first direction; a plurality of developing cartridges provided in corresponding association with the image carriers, the developing cartridges configured to be attached to and removed from the process unit, each of the developing cartridges including a corresponding developer carrier, each of the developing cartridges being configured to supply developer to a corresponding image carrier; and a pressing mechanism provided in the main body, the pressing mechanism configured to press the developing cartridges, when attached to the process unit, in a direction that the developer carriers contact the image carriers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main frame and a holder. The holder holds a plurality of photosensitive drums arrayed in a predetermined direction. The holder includes a pair of side plates each positioned at each axial end portion of each photosensitive drum, and each having an upstream end portion in the accommodating direction, and a pair of protruding portions each protruding outward in the axial direction from the upstream end portion of each side plate. The main frame includes a pair of positioning portions and a pair of support portions. The pair of positioning portions is configured to be in contact with each protruding portion from below and downstream side of the protruding portion in the accommodating direction. The pair of support portions is positioned downstream of the pair of positioning portions in the accommodating direction and configured to support the pair of side plates.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main frame, a holder and an exposure unit. The holder holds a plurality of photosensitive drums arrayed in a predetermined array direction, and movable in an accommodating direction to be accommodatable in the main frame. The holder includes a pair of metal plates each positioned at each axial end portion of each photosensitive drum. Each of the pair of metal plates has a downstream end portion in the accommodating direction provided with a positioning portion. The main frame includes a pair of first side wall, a pair of second side wall, a linking member, and a support portion. The pair of second side walls are each fixed to each first side wall and made from a metal. Each second side wall includes a major portion supporting the exposure unit, and an extension portion extending from the major portion toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: Image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an image forming unit removable from the casing in a first direction; and plural developer cartridges. The cartridges may be attached and detached with respect to the image forming unit in a second direction that is inclined toward the first direction. Other image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an exposure device; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached and detached with respect to the casing in a first direction; and a recording medium transport system for transporting recording media adjacent the photosensitive members in a second direction. The first direction may be inclined with respect to the second direction, and at least a portion of optical paths of the light emitted from the exposure device may extend parallel with the first direction. Aspects also relate to image forming units, e.g., for use in image forming apparatuses as described above.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing and a photosensitive unit having photosensitive bodies arrayed in an array direction. The main casing includes a first side plate having a first primary portion extending in the array direction, and having a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion spaced away therefrom in the array direction. The photosensitive unit includes a second side plate supporting the photosensitive bodies and having a second primary portion extending in the array direction. The second side plate has a third positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the first positioning portion and has a fourth positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the second positioning portion. The first and third portions are overlapped with each other and the second and fourth positioning portions are overlapped with each other while the first primary portion and the second primary portion are spaced away from each other.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a driving source configured to supply a rotational driving force in a predetermined direction, a particular developing unit having a developing roller and accommodating particular color developer, a first gear configured to receive the driving force of the driving source, a second gear configured to transmit the driving force to the developing roller, a particular intermediate gear configured to be engaged with the first and the second gears. A rotational center of the particular intermediate gear is arranged on an upstream side in a moving direction of teeth of the second gear, and a translation member is configured to linearly move between a first position where the particular intermediate gear engages with the first and second gears, and a second position where the particular intermediate gear disengages from the particular intermediate gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a pressure unit and first and second positioning portions. A photosensitive unit, configured to be mounted in a main frame of the image forming apparatus along a prescribed direction, may include a plurality of photosensitive drums, a pair of metal plates, and a resin frame. The pair of metal plates is spaced away from each other in the axial direction of each photosensitive drum and supports the photosensitive drums. The metal plates are configured to be positioned on the second positioning portion. The resin frame is configured to support the metal plates and developer cartridges. The resin frame is further configured to be positioned on the first positioning portion. The pair of metal plates is pressed against the second positioning portion to be positioned with respect to the main frame when the resin frame is pressed by the pressure unit in the prescribed direction.