Patent ID: 7386255

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image; a transfer unit configured to transfer the image onto a recording material; and an opening and closing member which is openable and closable with respect to a body portion of the apparatus, wherein the transfer unit is movable between a first position adjacent to the image forming unit and a second position for exposing the image forming unit, wherein when the opening and closing member is being opened, the transfer unit engages with the opening and closing member and moves in a coupled manner with the opening and closing member to the second position, wherein when the opening and closing member is positioned in a generally fully opened state, the transfer unit becomes disengaged from the opening and closing member and becomes movable to the first position independent of the opening and closing member, wherein the opening and closing member includes a first engaging portion and the transfer unit includes a second engaging portion configured to engage with the first engaging portion, and wherein when the opening and closing member is being opened, the first and second engaging portions engage with each other, and when the opening and closing member is in the generally fully opened state, the first and second engaging portions become disengaged with each other.