Compact cleaning apparatus for image forming apparatus

A cleaning apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus comprising:

• a first shaft mounted in an image forming apparatus;
• a casing mounted on said first shaft for pivotal movement about said first shaft, said casing having an opening formed therein configured to collect excess toner from a surface of an image retaining member in said image forming apparatus;
• a cleaning member fixed to said casing adjacent to said opening, said cleaning member being configured to scrape excess toner from the surface of said image retaining member in response to said casing being pivoted to an engaged position with said image retaining member;
• a second shaft mounted in said image forming apparatus;
• an engagement mechanism mounted on said second shalt adjacent to said casing;
• a drive means engaged with said engagement mechanism, said drive means configured to selectively pivot said engagement mechanism about said second shaft to a position whereby said casing is engaged by a portion of said engagement mechanism and moved into said engaged position in response to engagement with said portion of said engagement mechanism;
• a third shaft mounted in said image forming apparatus;
• and
• a position defining mechanism mounted on said third shaft adjacent to said engagement mechanism, said position defining mechanism being slidable between a first position and a second position along an axial length of said third shaft, said position defining mechanism including a position defining member which is configured to limit pivotal movement of said portion of said engagement mechanism in response to said position defining mechanism being in said first position;
• wherein with said position defining mechanism in said second position said portion of said engagement mechanism is spaced apart from said casing such that said casing is pivotable to a position whereby said casing is removable from said image forming apparatus with said opening of said casing being pointed in a generally upward direction.