Developing apparatus

Claim 1

A developing apparatus which develops a latent image on an image-bearer by means of a developing agent, said apparatus comprising: a developing agent carrier having a cylindrical surface on which the developing agent is carried, said developing agent carrier having its ends mounted for rotational movement about a central axis thereof so that a portion of said cylindrical surface establishes a gap with said image-bearer; an elastic member having its elongated length disposed in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to said central axis, said elastic member having a free end in resilient contact with the cylindrical surface of the developing agent carrier to exert a predetermined force thereagainst for applying the developing agent to the cylindrical surface so as to form a layer of the developing agent on the cylindrical surface of the developing agent carrier such that the formed layer is opposed to the image-bearer at said space to permit the developing agent to be deposited on a latent image on the image-bearer; and supporting means defining a pivot axis extending through a longitudinal central portion of the elastic member, said pivot axis being perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said supporting means pivotally supporting the elastic member for pivotal movements about said pivot axis, wherein said supporting means permits said predetermined force to be uniformly exerted against said cylindrical surface between the ends of said developing agent carrier due to pivotal movement of said elastic member about said pivot axis thereby forming a uniform layer on said cylindrical surface.