Patent ID: 9201385
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of latent image bearing members to rotate about a shaft and bear a latent image on a surface thereof; a plurality of latent image forming devices to form the latent image on the surface of the plurality of latent image bearing members; a housing including an opening, to house the plurality of latent image bearing members and the plurality of latent image forming devices; an openably closable holder with one end thereof pivotally supported by the housing, to move the plurality of latent image forming devices from an engaged position at which the plurality of latent image forming devices forms the latent image to a retracted position at which the plurality of latent image forming devices is separated from the plurality of latent image bearing members by moving to an open position at which the opening of the housing is opened; and a plurality of moving devices pivotally supported by the holder, wherein, in a state in which the holder moves to the open position, at least one of the plurality of latent image forming devices closest to a fulcrum of the holder is positioned at an end of the housing in which the housing pivotally supports the holder relative to a line connecting other latent image forming devices as viewed from an axial direction of the latent image bearing member, wherein each of the plurality of latent image forming devices is swingable held and rotatable about a shaft relative to the holder by the plurality of moving devices, respectively, and wherein, when the holder is fully opened and parallel in a vertical direction, the moving device of the at least one of the plurality of latent image forming devices closest to the fulcrum of the holder is positioned closer to an end portion of the housing as compared to the other moving devices, and the shaft of the moving device of the latent image forming device closest to the fulcrum is aligned at a different vertical line as compared to a vertical line of the shafts of the other moving devices.