Patent ID: 7344324
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a chassis; a print unit pivotally supported by the chassis and having arm portions and a print head element supported by the arm portions, one of the arm portions having a downward facing portion; a platen roller rotatably supported by the chassis so as to face the print unit; a motor; an elastically deformable support rod supported by the chassis; and a pivoting member rotatably supported by the support rod and having a first side part that is configured to receive driving force from the motor in first and second rotational directions, and a second side part that is relatively non-rotatably coupled to the first side part, the first and second rotational directions being opposite rotational directions, the first side part being integrally provided with a lifting projection, the lifting projection of the pivoting member being configured to engage the downward facing portion of the print unit from below and pivot the print unit in the second rotational direction away from the platen roller while the pivoting member is pivoted in the first rotational direction, the second side part being provided with a pressing part, which is configured to press the print head element against the platen roller when the pivoting member is pivoted in the second rotational direction.