US Patent 7286151 Image forming apparatus and thermal transfer printer

The image forming apparatus has a frame, a head portion pivotably supported on the frame, a platen roller supported on the frame opposite the head portion, an elastic support rod supported on the frame, a rotary member pivotably supported by the support rod and having a pressing member, and a drive mechanism engaged with the rotary member to pivot the rotary member around the support rod. The pressing member presses the head portion against the platen roller with the urging force of the support rod. The image forming apparatus is structured with members that are easy to manufacture.