Developing device

A developing device to be used for an image forming apparatus, the developing device comprising:

• a developing frame configured to store developer;
• a developing member configured to rotate and to carry the developer;
• and
• a regulating blade having a support plate, a plate-like member, and a regulating member,
• wherein the support plate extends in a rotational axis direction of the developing member and is fixed to the developing frame,
• wherein the plate-like member extends in the rotational axis direction and is supported on the support plate, wherein one end portion of the plate-like member in a direction crossing the rotational axis direction is opposed to the developing member, and the other end portion of the plate-like member in the direction crossing the rotational axis direction is welded to the support plate,
• wherein the regulating member extends in the rotational axis direction, is fixed to a surface of the plate-like member opposed to the developing member at the one end portion of the plate-like member, and contacts the developing member to regulate a layer thickness of developer on a surface of the developing member, wherein the regulating member is provided with a recessed portion recessed at an end portion of the regulating member in the rotational axis direction from the one end portion toward the other end portion of the plate-like member, and the end portion of the regulating member in the rotational axis direction is lower than a central portion of the regulating member, and
• wherein a region of the plate-like member welded to the support plate is located at the other end portion of the plate-like member in the direction crossing the rotational axis direction and overlaps each of the central portion of the regulating member in the rotational axis direction and the end portion of the regulating member at which the recessed portion is provided.