Patent ID: 7899385
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a medium storage portion that is capable of storing a plurality of recording mediums in a stacked manner; a supply roller that is disposed so as to abut an uppermost recording medium of the plurality of recording mediums stored in the medium storage portion, and is configured to be rotary driven in a forward direction as a rotating direction to convey the recording mediums at a first conveyance speed to a position for image formation, thereby to supply the abutting uppermost recording medium to a conveyance path, wherein the supply roller includes: a shaft; and a drive member having a hole through which the shaft is inserted and a cutout adjacent the hole including opposing engagement portions configured to engage a portion of the shaft; a conveyance roller that is disposed in the conveyance path and is configured to be rotary driven in a forward direction as a rotating direction to convey the recording mediums at a second conveyance speed to a position for image formation, thereby to allow passage of the uppermost recording medium conveyed by the supply roller; a drive device that generates a rotary driving force; and a transmission device that transmits the rotary driving force generated by the drive device to the supply roller and the conveyance roller, thereby to cause both of the supply roller and the conveyance roller to rotate in the forward direction, wherein the second conveyance speed is greater than the first conveyance speed, and wherein the supply roller has a predetermined play in a rotating direction of the supply roller, the predetermined play being provided between the shaft and the drive member between the opposing engagement portions of the cutout.