Patent ID: 9268274
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A fixing device comprising: an endless belt having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and configured to circularly move about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the endless belt having an axial end face; a heater extending through the internal space; a nip member extending through the internal space, the endless belt being circularly movable in a moving direction generally perpendicular to the axial direction relative to the nip member; a rotary body, the rotary body and the nip member being configured to nip the endless belt therebetween; a restricting member configured to restrict displacement of the endless belt in the axial direction, the restricting member having a restricting surface configured to oppose the axial end face of the endless belt in the axial direction and an opposing surface opposing the restricting surface, the restricting surface being configured to abut with the axial end face of the endless belt upon displacement of the endless belt, the restricting surface being moved between an initial position and a tilted position in accordance with abutment with the axial end face of the endless belt, the restricting surface at the initial position being generally parallel to a reference plane generally perpendicular to the axial direction, and the restricting surface at the tilted position being tilted relative to the reference plane; a first spring and a second spring disposed spaced away from each other in the moving direction and configured to bias the opposing surface of the restricting member toward the axial end face of the endless belt; a frame, the frame including a base portion supporting the first spring and the second spring; and a movement restricting portion configured to permit the restricting surface to tilt from the tilted position to the initial position in conjunction with the first spring and the second spring upon displacement of the endless belt, wherein the movement restricting portion comprises a pair of arms extending from the base portion of the frame toward the restricting member and engaging the restricting member, and wherein the first spring and the second spring are disposed between the base portion of the frame and the opposing surface of the restricting member, the restricting member being supported by the frame through the pair of arms such that the restricting member is capable of tilting between the initial position and the tilted position relative to the frame.