Image forming apparatus

A method of forming an image on a sheet, comprising the steps of:

• providing an image forming apparatus having a latent image carrier, latent image forming means, developing means, and transferring means;
• causing latent image forming means to form a latent image on an endless latent image carrier;
• developing the latent image on the latent image carrier by supplying powdered developer of developing means;
• transferring a developed image on the latent image carrier to the sheet;
• installing the image forming apparatus at an upright orientation or at a horizontal orientation;
• and
• positioning the developing means relative to said latent image carrier at a first developing position while the image forming apparatus being installed at the upright orientation and at a second developing position while the image forming apparatus being installed at the horizontal orientation.

An image forming apparatus, which ensures image forming when positioned either horizontally or upright, comprising:

• a rotary, endless latent image carrier;
• latent image forming means for forming a latent image on said latent image carrier;
• developing means for developing said latent image on said latent image carrier by using powdered developer;
• transferring means for transferring a developed image on said latent image carrier to a sheet;
• and
• a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning said developing means relative to said latent image carrier, at one of a first position corresponding to an upright installation of said apparatus and a second position corresponding to a horizontal installation of said apparatus;
• wherein said positioning mechanism determines said first position and said second position of said developing means so that a flow direction of the powdered developer in said developing means is consistent both at the upright and horizontal installation of said apparatus.

An image forming apparatus, which ensures image forming when positioned either horizontally or upright, comprising:

• a rotary, endless latent image carrier;
• latent image forming means for forming a latent image on said latent image carrier;
• developing means for developing said latent image on said latent image carrier by using powdered developer;
• transferring means for transferring a developed image on said latent image carrier to a sheet;
• and
• a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning said developing means relative to said latent image carrier, at one of a first position corresponding to an upright installation of said apparatus and a second position corresponding to a horizontal installation of said apparatus;
• wherein said positioning mechanism includes setting members which are employed to locate said developing means at said first position and said second position in consonance with a desired loaded direction of said developing means.

An image forming apparatus, which ensures image forming when positioned either horizontally or upright, comprising:

• a rotary, endless latent image carrier;
• latent image forming means for forming a latent image on said latent image carrier;
• developing means for developing said latent image on said latent image carrier by using powdered developer;
• transferring means for transferring a developed image on said latent image carrier to a sheet;
• and
• a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning said developing means relative to said latent image carrier, at one of a first position corresponding to an upright installation of said apparatus and a second position corresponding to a horizontal installation of said apparatus;
• wherein said positioning mechanism has a shifting mechanism that moves said developing means to said first position and to said second position.

An image forming apparatus, which ensures image forming when positioned either horizontally or upright, comprising:

• a rotary, endless latent image carrier;
• latent image forming means for forming a latent image on said latent image carrier;
• developing means for developing said latent image on said latent image carrier by using powdered developer;
• transferring means for transferring a developed image on said latent image carrier to a sheet;
• and
• a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning said developing means relative to said latent image carrier, at one of a first position corresponding to an upright installation of said apparatus and a second position corresponding to a horizontal installation of said apparatus;
• wherein said positioning mechanism has a mechanism for altering a position angle of said developing means relative to said latent image carrier so as to locate said developing means at said first position or at said second position.