Patent ID: 8918042

Claim:
A fixing device which fixes an unfixed image on a recording medium, the fixing device comprising: a rotatable endless fixing rotary member configured to come into contact with the unfixed image carried on the recording medium; a heating source configured to heat the fixing rotary member; an opposite rotary member configured to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotary member; a nip forming member provided inside the fixing rotary member and being a heat resistant member, and configured to be in contact with the opposite rotary member via the fixing rotary member to form, between the fixing rotary member and the opposite rotary member, a nip portion to which the recording medium carrying the unfixed image is fed; holding members configured to rotatably hold end portions of the fixing rotary member; and protecting members provided between the holding members and end surfaces of the fixing rotary member, and configured to protect the end portions of the fixing rotary member, the protecting members each having an opposite surface which faces the corresponding one of the end surfaces of the fixing rotary member and includes an inner diameter-side end edge provided with an inclined surface inclined in an inner diameter direction and away from the fixing rotary member, and the opposite surface of each of the protecting members is perpendicular to an axial direction of the fixing rotary member and is in contact with the corresponding one of the end surfaces of the fixing rotary member.