Patent ID: 8983350
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: G03G,H05B

Abstract:
1. A fixing device comprising: a tubular flexible fusing member having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space; a nip plate extending in the internal space of the tubular flexible fusing member, the inner peripheral surface of the tubular flexible fusing member being configured to slide with the nip plate in a sliding direction; a heater extending in the internal space, the heater comprising: a backup member, the backup member and the nip plate being configured to nip the tubular flexible fusing member therebetween; and a stay disposed opposite to the backup member relative to the nip plate, the stay having: wherein the glass tube body defines an imaginary plane which is tangential to a closest generatrix of the glass tube body closer to the nip plate than remaining generatrices of the glass tube body to the nip plate, the imaginary plane and the nip plate defining a gap therebetween, the tip portion being outside of the gap, and wherein the nip plate has a generally U-shape to provide a base portion extending along the heater and folded portions folded toward the heater, the base portion including a center portion and flat end portions, the center portion extending along the heater and disposed between the flat end portions, the center portion protruding in a direction away from the heater.