Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a card handling system having a bin to receive a stack of cards to be fed one at a time from said stack, the improvement comprising: a feed plate mounted for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first card in said stack of cards; a card-engaging protrusion secured to said feed plate extending from said feed plate into the plane of said card to engage an edge of said card and drive the card in its plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a card handling system having a bin to receive a stack of cards to be fed one at a time from said stack, the improvement comprising: a feed plate mounted for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the first card in said stack of cards; a card-engaging protrusion secured to said feed plate extending from said feed plate into the plane of said card to engage an edge of said card and drive the card in its plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said feed bin is inClined from vertical and abuts a feed face having an arcuate slot therein to permit said protrusion to pass therethrough as said feed plate rotates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The b combination set forth in claim 1, including a picker knife having an operating position and a rest position, positioned for extension into said bin when in said operating position, said picker knife contacting and elevating said first card to a feed position when in said operating position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination set forth in claim 3, including means responsive to the rotation of said feed plate for moving said picker knife from said rest position to said operating position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a card handling system, the improvement comprising: a frame; a feed bin secured to said frame for supporting cards in parallel planes; a picker knife, having an operating position and a rest position, positioned for extension into said bin when in said operating position, said picker knife contacting and elevating a card to a feed position when in said operating position; a cam follower secured to said picker knife; a rotating shaft supported on said frame; a feed plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of a card in said feed position; a card-engaging protrusion secured to said feed plate; said feed plate positioned to permit said protrusion to engage an edge of a card in said feed position and to drive said card in its plane as said feed plate rotates; a cam mounted for rotation with said shaft and positioned to engage said cam follower to force said picker knife to change said positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a card handling system, the improvement comprising: a frame; a feed bin secured to said frame for supporting cards in parallel planes; a picker knife, having an operating position and a rest position, positioned for extension into said bin when in said operating position, said picker knife contacting and elevating a card to a feed position when in said operating position; a cam follower secured to said picker knife; a rotating shaft supported on said frame; a feed plate mounted on said shaft for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of a card in said feed position; a card-engaging protrusion secured to said feed plate; said feed plate positioned to permit said protrusion to engage an edge of a card in said feed position and to drive said card in its plane as said feed plate rotates; a cam mounted for rotation with said shaft and positioned to engage said cam follower to force said picker knife to change said positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 5, wherein said feed bin supports said cards in parallel planes inclines from 10* to 45* from vertical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination set forth in claim 5, wherein said picker knife is spring-loaded to said rest position and is forced to said operating position by contact between said cam and cam follower.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination set forth in claim 5, wherein said cam comprises a plurality of camming pins secured to said feed plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination set forth in claim 5, including a feed face extending upwardly from said feed bin and having an arcuate slot therein, said feed face positioned to permit said card-engaging protrusion to extend therethrough as the latter rotates with said feed plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination set forth in claim 9, including a curb extending the width of said feed bin and positioned adjacent said feed face to maintain separation between a card in said feed position and the remaining cards in a stack of cards.