US Patent 6937834 Spacing member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

The spacing member includes: a spacing portion for spacing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charging roller when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge; a stopper portion for preventing a shutter member from retracting from a protection position for covering an exposure portion, when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge; and a protective portion for covering a positioning portion, which positions the process cartridge in an apparatus body when the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus body, when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge. Thus, it is possible to reliably keep the spaced state between the photosensitive drum and the charging roller.