Feed assembly and image forming apparatus incorporating feed assembly

A feed assembly configured to feed a sheet, comprising:

• a feed roller configured to feed the sheet;
• a support element configured to support the feed roller detachably and rotatably;
• a base including a guide surface configured to guide the sheet;
• and
• a frictional element configured to apply a frictional force on the sheet guided by the guide surface;
• wherein the frictional element includes:
• (i) a frictional piece configured to press the sheet against the feed roller,
• (ii) a main plate configured to support the frictional piece,
• (iii) an elastic member configured to bias the main plate toward the feed roller,
• (iv) a side plate configured to support the main plate rotatably, and
• (v) a backup plate configured to support the elastic member, wherein
• the guide surface is provided with a recess in which the frictional element is stored;
• and
• the elastic member rotates the main plate with respect to the side plate so that the main plate protrudes from the guide surface and places the main plate in a position where the main plate is detachable from the base when the feed roller is removed from the support element.