Patent ID: 7899360

Claim:
An image forming apparatus including a plurality of latent image carriers that are disposed in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction thereof, and a latent-image writing device that writes latent images on surfaces of the latent image carriers, the image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of first abutting portions, wherein a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among a plurality of holding members, each of which holds a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers, abuts with a first abutting portion among the first abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in the first direction; a plurality of second abutting portions, wherein a latent image carrier among the latent image carriers or a holding member among the holding members abuts with a second abutting portion among the second abutting portions so as to regulate movements of corresponding latent image carrier in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction; a first member that is provided with the first abutting portions; and a second member that is provided with the second abutting portions, the second member being formed separately to the first member, and the second member being formed of different material from that of the first member.