Image apparatus with removable process kit rotatable about a photoreceptor shaft

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a photoreceptor drum for transferring an image formed on a peripheral surface thereof to a transfer material by rotation;
• enclosing means for enclosing said photoreceptor drum;
• a main body with a space for said enclosing means in an upper portion, the space enabling an installation and a removal of said enclosing means;
• said enclosing means is installed in or removed from the upper portion of said main body by moving a portion of said enclosing means about the rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum
• a pair of projected members with a central axis thereof set parallel to a rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum, said pair of projected members being secured to said enclosing means said pair of projected member rotatable around an axis parallel to the rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum with respect to said pair of support members in a state where said enclosing means is installed in said main body;
• a pair of support members for respectively guiding said pair of projected members, and for removably supporting said pair of projected members so as to fit in the space;
• and
• lock means for securing said enclosing means to said main body so as to fit in the space, wherein said lock means includes:
• an arm section which can be elastically deformed, said arm section being formed at a free end of said enclosing means;
• and
• a joint to be accommodated with said arm section, said joint being formed in said main body so as to face the space.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a photoreceptor drum with an image formed on a peripheral surface thereof to be transferred onto a transfer material by rotating;
• enclosing means for enclosing therein said photoreceptor drum;
• a main body with a space in an upper portion thereof for said enclosing means, said enclosing means being removably fit in said main body so as to cover the space;
• fixing means for making a toner image permanent on a transfer sheet transported from said enclosing means;
• a pair of projected members with a central axis thereof set parallel to a rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum, said pair of projected members being secured to said enclosing means;
• a pair of support members for respectively guiding said pair of projected members, and for removably supporting said pair of projected members so as to fit in the space,
• said enclosing means is installed in or removed from the upper portion of said main body by moving a portion of said enclosing means about the rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum, and an upper face of said enclosing means forms a substantially flat portion with an upper face of said main body;
• and
• wherein said fixing means includes a hood which covers a back portion of said main body.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a photoreceptor drum with an image formed on a peripheral surface thereof to be transferred onto a transfer material by rotating;
• enclosing means for enclosing therein said photoreceptor drum;
• a main body with a space in an upper portion thereof for said enclosing means, said enclosing means being removably fit in said main body so as to cover the space;
• fixing means, provided above said photoreceptor drum, for making a toner image permanent on a transfer material transported from said enclosing means
• a pair of projected members with a central axis thereof set parallel to a rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum, said pair of projected members being secured to said enclosing means;
• a pair of support members for respectively guiding said pair of projected members, and for removably supporting said pair of projected members so as to fit in the space,
• said enclosing means installed in or removed from the upper portion of said main body by moving a portion of said enclosing means about the rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum, and an upper face of said enclosing means forms a substantially flat portion with an upper face of said main body;
• and
• wherein said enclosing means serves as a discharge tray for storing a transfer material transported from said fixing means.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a photoreceptor drum with an image formed on a peripheral surface thereof to be transferred onto a transfer material by rotating;
• enclosing means for enclosing therein said photoreceptor drum;
• a main body with a space in an upper portion thereof, said enclosing means being removably fit in said main body so as to cover the space;
• and
• fixing means for making a toner image formed on the transfer material transported from said enclosing means permanent,
• wherein said fixing means is provided so that it is at a position above said photoreceptor drum when said enclosing means is installed in said main body, and
• said enclosing means is installed in or removed from the upper portion of said main body by moving a portion of said enclosing means about a rotation shaft of said photoreceptor drum, and an upper face of said enclosing means forms a substantially flat portion with an upper face of said main body, said enclosing means serving as a discharge tray for storing the transfer material transported from said fixing means.