Patent ID: 7400844

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image bearing member configured to bear a latent image thereon; a charger comprising a charging member configured to contact or be located adjacent the latent image bearing member to charge the latent image bearing member; a latent image forming device configured to form a latent image on the latent image bearing member; a developing device configured to develop the latent image on the latent image bearing member with a toner; a surface moving member comprising a surface configured to move while contacting the latent image bearing member; a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image formed on the latent image bearing member to the surface moving member or to a recording material disposed between the latent image bearing member and the surface moving member while forming a transferring electric field between the latent image bearing member and the surface moving member; a cleaner configured to clean the latent image bearing member of the toner remaining thereon; an irradiating device configured to emit light to discharge the latent image bearing member, the irradiating device disposed on an upstream side from the cleaner relative to a rotation direction of the latent image bearing member; a base plate configured to support said irradiating device; and a light shield member provided between the surface of the surface moving member and said irradiating device, wherein the light shield member is configured to prevent light irradiated from the irradiating device, from reaching the surface of the surface moving member and said irradiating device is sandwiched in between said base plate and said light shield member.