Fixing device with support and image forming apparatus incorporating same

A fixing device comprising:

• an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation;
• a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt;
• an opposed rotary body pressed against the nip formation assembly in a pressurization direction via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed;
• and
• a support contacting and supporting the nip formation assembly,
• the support including:
• a base contacting the nip formation assembly;
• an upstream projection projecting from the base in the pressurization direction of the opposed rotary body at a position on the base corresponding to or upstream from an upstream edge of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction;
• and
• a downstream projection projecting from the base in the pressurization direction of the opposed rotary body at a position on the base corresponding to or downstream from a downstream edge of the fixing nip in the recording medium conveyance direction, the downstream projection spaced apart from the upstream projection in the recording medium conveyance direction.