Image forming apparatus with a folding transfer device support member

Abstract

An image forming apparatus which transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier to a recording medium with a transfer device and separates the recording medium from the image carrier by discharging the recording medium with a discharging device. The image forming apparatus includes a support member which supports the transfer device and which includes a first support element pivotally mounted to a main body of the apparatus and a second support element. The second support element is pivotally mounted to the first support element at one end and unattached at the other end. The second support element may be solely supported by the first support element. The first support element is supported from below and by pivoting a support member out from under the first support element, the transfer device moves between a working position facing a surface of the image carrier and a recessed position separated from the image carrier by a larger distance than when the transfer device is in the working position. A relatively large space is thus formed between the image carrier and the transfer device and clearance of a jammed sheet is facilitated. The transfer device is detachable from the second support element and the discharging device is also detachable from the second support element independently or integrally with the transfer device.