Patent 7580653 was granted and assigned to RICOH COMPANY,LTD. on August, 2009 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
An image forming apparatus includes a cover frame that holds a held shaft of an optical writing unit to allow a free movement thereof and urges the optical writing unit in a predetermined direction by using an urging coil spring to bring the held portion shaft of the optical writing unit separated from the writing operation position into contact with a contact target portion thereof.