Patent ID: 9122240
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a housing; a cartridge having a first frame configured to support a photosensitive member, a second frame configured to support a developer carrying member carrying developer thereon to supply the developer onto the photosensitive member, the first frame and the second frame being engaged so as to move relative to each other between a contact position where the developer carrying member and the photosensitive member are in contact with each other and a separated position where the developer carrying member is separated from the photosensitive member, and a separation retaining member configured to retain the first frame and the second frame in the separated position; a supporting member configured to support the cartridge to be movable between a first position where image formation with the developer is disabled and a second position where image formation with the developer is enabled, the supporting member being movable between a mount position in the housing and a pull-out position outside the housing; and a separation releasing mechanism configured to move the cartridge from the first position to the second position and disable the separation retaining member attendant to movements of the supporting member from the pull-out position to the mount position, wherein the separation releasing mechanism comprises: wherein the separation retaining member is provided in a selected one of the first frame and the second frame, a non-selected one of the first frame and the second frame is formed with an engagement portion with which the separation retaining member engages when the first frame and the second frame are in the separated position, wherein the supporting member includes a pair of side plates disposed in confrontation with each other, the cartridge having a longitudinal axis being supported between the pair of side plates in an orientation in which the longitudinal axis is in coincidence with a direction in which the pair of side plates confronts, wherein the separated condition releasing portion projects inward from each of the pair of the side plate and extends in a direction from the first position to the second position, and wherein the separation retaining member is provided in an outer end portion in the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and disengaged from the engagement portion upon abutment of the separated condition releasing portion with the separation retaining member.