Patent ID: 6068374
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:conveying means for conveying a printing medium in a substantially horizontal conveying direction in a printing range where ink as a printing agent is applied to the printing medium, while a printing plane of the printing medium is oriented to face in an upward direction;a printer section including a plurality of ink jet printing heads for forming printed images on the printing medium therewith, each of said printing heads being adapted to eject the ink to the printing medium in a downward direction while said printer section is located opposite to a platen portion of said conveying means in the printing range;supporting means, including guide members disposed on opposite sides of said conveying means as viewed in the conveying direction of the printing medium conveyed by said conveying means, for slidably supporting said printer section relative to said platen portion in such a manner as to enable sliding displacement of said printer section along said guide members in the conveying direction between an opposing position where said printer section and said platen portion are located opposite to each other and a non-opposing position spaced away from the opposing position; andadjusting means for adjusting a gap between said printing heads and the printing medium to be conveyed on said platen portion.