Patent ID: 6999698
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying a toner image; image carrier supporting means for supporting the image carrier in such a way that the image carrier is rotatable about a first rotary shaft which is arranged substantially horizontally; a transfer member for transferring the toner image carried on the image carrier onto a transfer material; transfer member supporting means for supporting the transfer member in such a way that the transfer member is rotatable about a second rotary shaft which is arranged substantially parallel to the first rotary shaft; and a guide member, arranged in close proximity to the transfer member, for guiding the transfer material to a transfer position in the transfer member, the guide member being supported by the transfer member supporting means; wherein the transfer member supporting means and the guide member are each designed to be positioned with respect to the image carrier supporting means by abutting against the image carrier supporting means; and wherein the guide member is supported by the transfer member supporting means so as to be oscillatable within a predetermined range of oscillation, and wherein, when the transfer member supporting means is moved away from the image carrier supporting means, the guide member oscillates so as to be located in a position distant from the transfer member.