Patent ID: 8280290

Claim:
A fixing device that clamps a recording sheet between a first fixing member and a second fixing member and fixes a toner image on the recording sheet by applying heat and pressure, the fixing device comprising: a pressure exerting lever that causes the first fixing member to exert pressure on the second fixing member, the pressure exerting lever having a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably supported by a first pivot, the pressure exerting lever includes a fitting hole configured to hold a shaft bearing; a pressure releasing lever that is rotatably supported against the pressure exerting lever; a locking member having a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably supported against the first end of the pressure releasing lever; and an elastic member that is hooked to the second end of the locking member and that pulls the locking member in a locking direction, wherein by turning the pressure releasing lever, a position of the locking member is switched between a pressure exertion position where the first fixing member exerts pressure against the second fixing member via the pressure exerting lever, and a pressure release position where the fixing member separates from the second fixing member, in the pressure exertion position, the elastic member pulls the locking member and the second end of the pressure exerting lever in the locking direction, a core end of the fixing member pressed by the pressure exerting lever is rotatably supported by the shaft bearing, and the shaft bearing is disposed within the fitting hole of the pressure exerting lever.