Press roller supported at opposite ends and at an interior portion

Abstract

A structure for supporting a press roller of a fixing unit is provided. The fixing unit has the press roller and a heat roller, between which a sheet is passed. The sheet is pressed against the heat roller by the press roller. The press roller has a cylinder and an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. Opposite ends of the cylinder are elastically supported by the first elastic support mechanisms. A shaft extending through the cylinder rotatably supports the central portion of the cylinder via a pair of bearings. Opposite ends of the shaft are elastically supported by second elastic support mechanisms. Each of the bearings is preferably spaced away from adjacent one of the first elastic support mechanisms by a distance one third to one fifth a distance between the first elastic support mechanisms.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.