US3556516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning feed roller
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1968-05-24
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A sheet separating apparatus having a plurality of rollers supported along a common axis adapted to be placed upon the top sheet of a stack of paper. The rollers are adapted to be raised vertically from the stack and also their common axis support rocked so as to permit the outboard rollers to lift individually from the top sheet. Each of the rollers is provided with a one way clutch relative to its support structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh L Jones
- 👤 Daniel S Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/02; B65H3/06; B65H3/0669
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
In a sheet handling apparatus having a frame structure and a supply tray adapted to hold a stack of sheet material to be fed seriatim off the top of the stack, the combination of: a plurality of separator rollers arranged to be engageable with the top sheet of the stack and adapted when rotated to separate the top sheet and move the same in the plane of the sheet; two of said separator rollers being mounted for rotation on a main shaft arranged substantially parallel to the leading edges of the sheets in the stack, others of said plurality of rollers positioned outboard of said two rollers on each side thereof and in axial alignment therewith, each of said other rollers being mounted on individual shafts arranged coaxial with said main shaft and mounted for axial movement relative thereto; a support arm operatively connected at one end to the shaft for supporting the same for rotation; means for pivotally supporting said support arm at its other end on the frame structure wherein the rotative movement of the arm is in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top sheet whereby the separator rollers may be lifted therefrom; and drive means for imparting rotation to said plurality of separator rollers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
In a sheet handling apparatus having a frame structure and a supply tray adapted to hold a stack of sheet material to be fed seriatim off the top of the stack, the combination of: a plurality of separator rollers arranged to be engageable with the top sheet of the stack and adapted when rotated to separate the top sheet and move the same in the plane of the sheet; two of said separator rollers being mounted for rotation on a main shaft arranged substantially parallel to the leading edges of the sheets in the stack, others of said plurality of rollers positioned outboard of said two rollers on each side thereof and in axial alignment therewith, each of said other rollers being mounted on individual shafts arranged coaxial with said main shaft and mounted for axial movement relative thereto; a support arm operatively connected at one end to the shaft for supporting the same for rotation; means for pivotally supporting said support arm at its other end on the frame structure wherein the rotative movement of the arm is in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the top sheet whereby the separator rollers may be lifted therefrom; and drive means for imparting rotation to said plurality of separator rollers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said two rollers and said outboard rollers are provided with a one-way clutch in their mountings relative to their respective shafts preventing a drive being imparted to any one of the rollers by a driving action of another roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a sheet handling apparatus of the type having a supply tray adapted to hold a stack of sheet material to be fed seriatim off the top of the stack, separator rollers mounted for rotation on a shaft arranged parallel to the leading edges of the stack and moving the same in the plane of the sheet, a support arm connected at one end to the shaft for supporting the rollers for rotation, and drive means for imparting rotation to said separator rollers, the improvement wherein said support arm for the shaft comprises at least two portions, one of said portions being connected to the shaft as aforesaid and to said other portion for rocking movement relative to said other portion for permitting rocking movement of said shaft about an axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of said arm and normal to the shaft wherein the extent of rocking will permit one of the rollers to be lifted from the top sheet while another roller remains thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a sheet handling apparatus of the type having a supply tray adapted to hold a stack of sheet material to be fed seriatim off the top of the stack, separator rollers mounted for rotation on a shaft arranged parallel to the leading edges of the stack and moving the same in the plane of the sheet, a support arm connected at one end to the shaft for supporting the rollers for rotation, and drive means for imparting rotation to said separator rollers, the improvement wherein said support arm for the shaft comprises at least two portions, one of said portions being connected to the shaft as aforesaid and to said other portion for rocking movement relative to said other portion for permitting rocking movement of said shaft about an axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of said arm and normal to the shaft wherein the extent of rocking will permit one of the rollers to be lifted from the top sheet while another roller remains thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2204715A
Cited
US2791425A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |