Image forming apparatus and transfer device

A transfer device comprising:

• a transfer member that is rotatably arranged to face an image carrier and has a cutout portion formed by cutting a part of an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, the transfer member transferring an image carried on the image carrier onto a sheet held between the transfer member and the image carrier;
• a leading edge gripping member that is provided to the cutout portion of the transfer member and grips a leading edge side of the sheet in a transport direction thereof on the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, the sheet being supplied toward the transfer member;
• and
• a trailing edge holding member that is arranged to be rotatable around the transfer member and holds a trailing edge side of the sheet in the transport direction thereof between the trailing edge holding member and the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, the sheet being supplied toward the transfer member, the trailing edge holding member being pressed in a direction along a rotational axis of the transfer member and bending in a direction away from the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member to release the sheet having been held.