Patent ID: 8909115
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet comprising: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space, the flexible tubular member being circularly movable while the developing agent image is thermally fixed, the flexible tubular member defining an axis extending in an axial direction and having end portions in the axial direction; a heater disposed in the internal space; a nip member disposed in the internal space and configured to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tubular member; a backup member disposed to confront the nip member to nip the flexible tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay disposed in the internal space to support the nip member; a pair of inner guides configured to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tubular member to guide the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tubular member while the flexible tubular member circularly moves; and a pair of restricting members configured to restrict the end portions of the flexible tubular member from moving in the axial direction, at least one of the pair of restricting members being formed separately from the inner guides and being assembled to the stay in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction, wherein the pair of restricting members is formed by injection molding with a resin in which a die opening direction is coincident with the axial direction.