Sheet conveyance device and image forming apparatus including same

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming device;
• and
• a sheet conveyance device to convey a recording medium, the sheet conveyance device including:
• a fixed roller, the position of which is fixed;
• a movable roller disposed opposite the fixed roller, to contact the fixed roller, thereby defining a nip, so that the recording medium enters the nip defined between the fixed roller and the movable roller, in which a conveyance direction of the recording medium entering the nip is at a substantially vertical direction in relation to a stack sheet of recording medium;
• an urging member to urge the movable roller to contact the fixed roller in the absence of the recording medium in the nip, and allow the movable roller to separate from the fixed roller by an amount corresponding to a thickness of a recording medium when the recording medium enters the nip;
• and
• a shock absorber to absorb displacement energy generated when the urging member urges the movable roller to contact the fixed roller again after the recording medium passes through the nip,
• wherein the movable roller, disposed at a same side of the image forming device, is supported by a movable roller support member to which the urging member is connected thereto,
• wherein the movable roller is positioned at a center of the movable roller support member causing the movable roller support member to pivot at the center thereof,
• wherein the movable roller support member includes a pivotal supporting portion, in which the pivotal supporting portion is disposed entirely at the same side as the movable roller with respect to the image forming device, and
• wherein the pivotal supporting portion is provided at one end of the movable roller support member, and the urging member is provided at an opposite end of the movable roller support to which pivotal supporting portion is connected thereto.