An image forming apparatus includes: an attachment table to which an object is attached; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table along a transport path that has a transport start position on one side relative to the transfer unit and has a transport end position on a same side as the transport start position relative to the transfer unit, the transport path extending beyond the transfer unit and the attachment table being transported so as to turn back at a position beyond the transfer unit.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reduces image artifacts caused by the back tension of a separating unit. A control unit decreases the number of rotations (the rotational speed) of a resist roller pair after the leading edge of a sheet reaches a transfer position.

A transfer device includes a pressed unit, a rotatable roller, and a pressing member. The pressed unit is movably supported and includes a first non-rotatable shaft portion and a second non-rotatable shaft portion. The rotatable roller is rotatably supported by the first non-rotatable shaft portion of the pressed unit. The pressing member contacts the second non-rotatable shaft portion of the pressed unit and presses the pressed unit. The second non-rotatable shaft portion has an axial center aligned with an axial center of the first non-rotatable shaft portion.

A transport device includes a transport mechanism and a carry in/out mechanism. The transport mechanism transports a recording medium from inside of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording medium, to outside of the image forming apparatus, and transports the recording medium carried in from the outside of the image forming apparatus, to the inside thereof. The carry in/out mechanism performs, in a linked manner, an operation including receiving the recording medium transported by the transport mechanism toward the outside, and further transporting the recording medium toward the outside of the image forming apparatus, and an operation including receiving the recording medium carried in from the outside, and further transporting the recording medium toward the transport mechanism.

An image forming apparatus includes a body, an intermediate transfer assembly, a secondary transfer assembly, and a drive motor. The intermediate transfer assembly is held by the body and includes an intermediate transferor. The secondary transfer assembly is held by the intermediate transfer assembly and includes a secondary transfer assembly and a cam. The secondary transferor assembly includes a secondary transferor rotatably held by the secondary transfer assembly. The secondary transferor presses the intermediate transferor. The cam contacts the secondary transferor assembly and adjusts a contact pressure of the secondary transferor against the intermediate transferor. The drive motor is held by the body and rotates the cam.

An image forming apparatus includes: a body; a cover openably attached to the body; an image bearer; a transferer attachable to the cover, the transferer including: a transfer roller facing the image bearer and displaceable between: a contact position at which the transfer roller comes into contact with the image bearer; or a separated position at which the transfer roller is separated from the image bearer; and a holder rotatably holding the transfer roller; and a biasing member to bias the transfer roller toward the image bearer to the contact position, a support shaft swingably supporting the holder; and a pressure receiver to receive the holder.

An image forming apparatus includes a belt-shaped image bearer, a transferer, a guide, two rotators, and a support. The image bearer has an image bearing surface to bear an image thereon. The transferer forms a transfer section between the transferer and the image hearer, to transfer the image onto a recording medium. The guide is disposed upstream from the transfer section in a delivery direction of the recording medium, to guide the recording medium toward the transfer section. The two rotators are disposed upstream from the transfer section in a moving direction of the image bearer and in contact with a non-image bearing surface of the image bearer opposite to the image bearing surface, a first rotator being closer to the transfer section than a second rotator. The support supports the first rotator and the guide and adjusts a position of the first rotator and a position of the guide.

An image forming apparatus includes a conveyer roller exposed to an attachment space and a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive force from a drive source. The drive force transmission mechanism includes a plate driving gear exposed to the attachment space, a transmission gear train transmitting a drive force to the conveyer roller and to the plate driving gear, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a driven gear transmitting the drive force to the transmission gear train, a pendulum gear revolvable between a coupled position in which the pendulum gear is engaged with the driven gear and an uncoupled position in which the pendulum gear is separated from the driven gear, and a transmission switch movable between a first position for holding the pendulum gear in the uncoupled position and a second position for allowing the pendulum gear to revolve between the coupled and uncoupled positions.

An image forming apparatus includes a belt-shaped image bearer, a transferer, a guide unit, and a plurality of contact members. The belt-shaped image bearer has an image bearing surface to bear an image thereon. The transferer forms a transfer section between the transferer and the image bearer, to transfer the image onto a recording medium. The guide unit is disposed upstream from the transfer section in a delivery direction of the recording medium, to guide the recording medium toward the transfer section. The plurality of contact members are disposed side by side at positions opposing the guide unit and in contact with a non image bearing surface of the image bearer opposite to the image bearing surface.

An image forming apparatus includes a conveyer roller exposed to an attachment space and a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive force from a drive source. The drive force transmission mechanism includes a plate driving gear exposed to the attachment space, a transmission gear train transmitting a drive force to the conveyer roller and to the plate driving gear, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a driven gear transmitting the drive force to the transmission gear train, a pendulum gear revolvable between a coupled position in which the pendulum gear is engaged with the driven gear and an uncoupled position in which the pendulum gear is separated from the driven gear, and a transmission switch movable between a first position for holding the pendulum gear in the uncoupled position and a second position for allowing the pendulum gear to revolve between the coupled and uncoupled positions.