Patent ID: 8333373
Filing Date: 2012-12-18
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit which is configured to form an image on a recording sheet; a housing which accommodates the image forming unit and includes a sheet feed opening for feeding a recording sheet to the image forming unit; a tray which is configured to accommodate a recording sheet; a feed member which is configured to rotate while pressing a recording sheet fed through the sheet feed opening to apply a transport force to the recording sheet; a friction member provided to oppose the feed member, and configured to contact the recording sheet from a side opposite to the feed member to apply a transport resistance to the recording sheet, thereby separating a plurality of stacked recording sheets; a support frame which is formed of resin and supports the friction member and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a pressing direction of a pressing force by the feed member to receive the pressing force; a transport chute which is formed of metal and includes a guide part extending along a width direction of a recording sheet transported from the tray in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the support frame so as to contact the recording sheet fed from the tray to guide the recording sheet toward the image forming unit; and a reinforcing frame which is formed of metal and is mounted on the support frame from a side opposite to the friction member and extends in parallel with the support frame.