Patent ID: 7228093

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a photoconductive member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image thereon; and a development device configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive member into a visual image with a developer, the development device including a main housing having first and second side frames facing each other and a first partition for longitudinally dividing an inside space into first and second chambers communicating with each other through first and second openings formed in the first partition near the first and second side frames, respectively; an extended housing connected to the first side frame of the main housing and having an extension side frame distantly facing the first side frame of the main housing and a second partition continuously formed in line with the first partition for making the first and second chambers of the main housing extended with an extension opening in the second partition near the extension side frame for communicating to the first and second chambers; a development roller having first and second ends held by the first and second side frames, respectively; a first rotary shaft having an extended length held by the first and second side frames and the extension side frame, arranged in parallel to and immediately next to the development roller, and configured to rotate to transport the developer along a longitudinal surface of the development roller in a first direction from the second end to the first end of the development roller and to the second chamber through the first opening and the extension opening; and a second rotary shaft having an extended length held by the first and second side frames and the extension side frame, arranged in parallel to the development roller and next to the first rotary shaft, and configured to rotate to transport the developer in a second direction opposite to the first direction and to the first chamber through the second opening, wherein the first side frame includes a first communication portion configured to allow developer to be transported in the first direction from the extended housing to the main housing and a second communication portion configured to allow developer to be transported in the second direction from the main housing to the extended housing.