US3741642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-fed electrophotographic copier
Assignee: Sunbeam Business Equipment Co
•
Filing: 1969-08-06
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Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1989-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A hand-fed electrophotographic copier cabinet has vertically aligned front entrances into copy sheet and document original guide passageways with respective conveyor rollers located to receive the respective edges of the copy and document at the same distance into the respective passages, with the document tripping a switch to illuminate a scanning aperture as the document approaches such aperture and the copy sheet approaches an exposure aperture while passing through an electrostatic charging device. The document maintains the switch closed until both the document and the copy sheet have left their respective apertures. An upper front cover serves as a document feed table and also as part of the document guide means carrying the control switch, idler rollers and a hold-down plate over the exposure aperture, and is mounted to be opened for immediate access to the document passage for any reason such as jamming difficulty. The exposed copy sheet travels through a developer tray, subsequent squeeze rollers and down a chute to a receiving point at the lower front of the cabinet while passing through a circulation of drying air and a set of copy sheet pacing rollers. At the upper rear and at the back of the cabinet respective covers enable ready access to the copy sheet transport and treatment area of the cabinet.
Inventors
- 👤 K Reick
- 👤 D Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
364 words
A compact hand-fed electrophotographic copier comprising, in combination: a cabinet having a base panel on which are supported upright fRont to rear spaced apart side panels, front wall panel means supported by and between said side wall panels with an opening forwardly thereunder above said base panel, and rear wall panel means spaced above said base panel; a top structure supported on and between said side panels and including means at an intermediate area in front to back direction for receiving hand-fed matching document original and copy sheets; means providing a document original path leading from said receiving means downwardly and forwardly above said front panel means and including a scanning aperture; closure panel means extending rearwardly from the lower edge of said front panel means above said base panel providing an illumination and scanning chamber under said scanning aperture and having therein illumination means and optical means to provide an image of a document original crossing said scanning aperture and for directing the image rearwardly; a light tunnel comprising panels supported by and between said side panels and extending rearwardly spaced above said base panel; means providing a copy sheet path from said receiving means rearwardly and downwardly and including an exposure aperture aligned with the rear end of said tunnel; a liquid developer tray removably receivable on said base plate through the opening under said rear wall panel means in position to receive exposed copy sheets below said ex-posure aperture; respective roller means for driving document originals and copy sheets through their respective paths and other roller means receiving developed copy sheets from said developer tray and moving the same forwardly into position in the space over the forward portion of said base plate for removal through the opening under said front panel means; electrostatic charging means ahead of said exposure aperture in said copy sheet path; a rear chamber defined above said light tunnel forwardly from said charging means and rearwardly from said illumination and scanning chamber; a driving motor mounted within said rear chamber and having means connected therewith for driving all of said roller means in unison; and a transformer for said charging means mounted within said rear chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
364 words
A compact hand-fed electrophotographic copier comprising, in combination: a cabinet having a base panel on which are supported upright fRont to rear spaced apart side panels, front wall panel means supported by and between said side wall panels with an opening forwardly thereunder above said base panel, and rear wall panel means spaced above said base panel; a top structure supported on and between said side panels and including means at an intermediate area in front to back direction for receiving hand-fed matching document original and copy sheets; means providing a document original path leading from said receiving means downwardly and forwardly above said front panel means and including a scanning aperture; closure panel means extending rearwardly from the lower edge of said front panel means above said base panel providing an illumination and scanning chamber under said scanning aperture and having therein illumination means and optical means to provide an image of a document original crossing said scanning aperture and for directing the image rearwardly; a light tunnel comprising panels supported by and between said side panels and extending rearwardly spaced above said base panel; means providing a copy sheet path from said receiving means rearwardly and downwardly and including an exposure aperture aligned with the rear end of said tunnel; a liquid developer tray removably receivable on said base plate through the opening under said rear wall panel means in position to receive exposed copy sheets below said ex-posure aperture; respective roller means for driving document originals and copy sheets through their respective paths and other roller means receiving developed copy sheets from said developer tray and moving the same forwardly into position in the space over the forward portion of said base plate for removal through the opening under said front panel means; electrostatic charging means ahead of said exposure aperture in said copy sheet path; a rear chamber defined above said light tunnel forwardly from said charging means and rearwardly from said illumination and scanning chamber; a driving motor mounted within said rear chamber and having means connected therewith for driving all of said roller means in unison; and a transformer for said charging means mounted within said rear chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A copier according to claim 1, including a partition separating said chambers at the front end of said light tunnel, an opening in one of said side panels aligned with said illumination and scanning chamber, a blower fan mounted in said opening to blow cooling air into said illumination and scanning chamber, and means for exhausting air from said illumination and scanning chamber in drying relation to developed copy sheets after they leave said tray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A copier according to claim 2, wherein said means for exhausting air includes a guide plate overlying the path of the copy sheets as handled by said other roller means and providing an opening through which exhausting air is directed toward the developed copy sheets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A copier according to claim 1, including a fan to effect cooling air circulation in said illumination and scanning chamber, said base panel having air holes therein, means maintaining the base panel raised above a supporting surface for circulation of air through said air holes by action of said fan, and means providing a passageway effecting communication between said air holes and said fan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A copier according to claim 4, including means for exhausting air from said illumination and scanning chamber in drying relation to develop copy sheets after they leave said tray and are handled by said other roller means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a copier having a cabinet provided therein with means defining a scanning aperture and means defining an exposure aperture, with means for scanning a document passing across said scanning aperture and including an optical system for transmitting an image from the scanning aperture into the exposure aperture: a cabinet top having a front portion providing a feed table for receiving a document sheet and a copy sheet superimposed thereon; means providing a document sheet guide passageway across said scanning aperture; means providing a guide passageway for copy sheets across said exposure aperture; means located along a rear edge of said table providing an entrance into the document sheet passageway aligned with the top of the table and an entrance into said copy sheet passageway for copy sheets located above said document sheet passageway entrance, with a sheet divider between said entrances; said table comprising a front cover hinged at a rear end portion thereof to enable opening thereof for access to said scanning aperture; a rear cover having a front portion raised above said copy sheet passageway entrance; and said front portion serving as a stop for holding said front cover in open position in upwardly and rearwardly directed relation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a copier having a cabinet provided therein with means defining a scanning aperture and means defining an exposure aperture, with means for scanning a document passing across said scanning aperture and including an optical system for transmitting an image from the scanning aperture into the exposure aperture: a cabinet top having a front portion providing a feed table for receiving a document sheet and a copy sheet superimposed thereon; means providing a document sheet guide passageway across said scanning aperture; means providing a guide passageway for copy sheets across said exposure aperture; means located along a rear edge of said table providing an entrance into the document sheet passageway aligned with the top of the table and an entrance into said copy sheet passageway for copy sheets located above said document sheet passageway entrance, with a sheet divider between said entrances; said table comprising a front cover hinged at a rear end portion thereof to enable opening thereof for access to said scanning aperture; a rear cover having a front portion raised above said copy sheet passageway entrance; and said front portion serving as a stop for holding said front cover in open position in upwardly and rearwardly directed relation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
377 words
A copier having means providing an aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved: a sheet feeding table having means facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; means cooperating with said table for directing a sheet in movement from the table in a path to travel between said aperture and said guide means; means enabling opening of said table as a cover for access to said aperture; said means for directing a sheet comprising a structure providing a passageway having a sheet-receiving entrance adjacent to an edge of said table and extending therefrom about a radius and in reverse direction toward said guide means; said structure including a knife portion at said entrance for separating a document original sheet to travel said path and a copy sheet matched therewith to travel a copy sheet path; a ramp on said structure beyond and aligned with said knife portion to receive the copy sheet; and driving rollers located to receive the document original sheet at the exit from the path provided by said structure to advance the original sheet; driving rollers operative to receive the copy sheet as it leaves said ramp to advance the copy sheet; both of said original sheet and copy sheet advancing rollers being located substantially the same distance from said entrance; electrostatic charging means through which said copy sheet rollers advance the copy sheet; means providing an exposure aperture through which the copy sheet is advanced from said charging means; an electrical lamp and reflector for illuminating said scanning aperture; means including an electrical circuit including a switch having an actuator beyond said original sheet advancing rollers in the direction of advancement of the original sheet to be actuated by the original sheet to close the switch for energizing of said lamp and said electrostatic charging means; liquid developing means receptive of the exposed copy sheet after it leaves said exposure aperture; means for transporting the developed copy sheet to a delivery point; a fan operative to blow cooling air past said lamp; and a guide plate providing part of said exposed copy sheet transport means and overlying the exposed copy sheet and having openings therein through which said cooling air is exhausted in drying relation toward the developed copy sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
377 words
A copier having means providing an aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved: a sheet feeding table having means facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; means cooperating with said table for directing a sheet in movement from the table in a path to travel between said aperture and said guide means; means enabling opening of said table as a cover for access to said aperture; said means for directing a sheet comprising a structure providing a passageway having a sheet-receiving entrance adjacent to an edge of said table and extending therefrom about a radius and in reverse direction toward said guide means; said structure including a knife portion at said entrance for separating a document original sheet to travel said path and a copy sheet matched therewith to travel a copy sheet path; a ramp on said structure beyond and aligned with said knife portion to receive the copy sheet; and driving rollers located to receive the document original sheet at the exit from the path provided by said structure to advance the original sheet; driving rollers operative to receive the copy sheet as it leaves said ramp to advance the copy sheet; both of said original sheet and copy sheet advancing rollers being located substantially the same distance from said entrance; electrostatic charging means through which said copy sheet rollers advance the copy sheet; means providing an exposure aperture through which the copy sheet is advanced from said charging means; an electrical lamp and reflector for illuminating said scanning aperture; means including an electrical circuit including a switch having an actuator beyond said original sheet advancing rollers in the direction of advancement of the original sheet to be actuated by the original sheet to close the switch for energizing of said lamp and said electrostatic charging means; liquid developing means receptive of the exposed copy sheet after it leaves said exposure aperture; means for transporting the developed copy sheet to a delivery point; a fan operative to blow cooling air past said lamp; and a guide plate providing part of said exposed copy sheet transport means and overlying the exposed copy sheet and having openings therein through which said cooling air is exhausted in drying relation toward the developed copy sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
231 words
A copier having means providing an upwardly direct aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved: a sheet feeding table having means facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; means cooperating with a rear portion of said table for receiving and directing a sheet in movement from the table in a path to travel between said aperture and said guide means; means hinging said rear portion of the table enabling opening of said table as a cover forwardly from, relative to, and without requiring any opening of said receiving and directing means for access to said aperture; guide means aligned with said aperture and cooperating with the guide means of the table; sheet advancing rollers in part carried by said table and in part remaining with said cooperating guide means when the table is opened; hold-down plate means carried by the table and facing said aperture; a light source for illuminating said aperture; an electrical circuit for energizing said light source; a normally open switch in said circuit and mounted on said table; and a switch actuator mounted in the path of travel of the sheet toward the aperture for closing the switch response to actuation by a sheet; said actuator having an extension engaged by the sheet after it leaves said aperture to maintain the switch closed until the trailing end of the sheet leaves the aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
231 words
A copier having means providing an upwardly direct aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved: a sheet feeding table having means facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; means cooperating with a rear portion of said table for receiving and directing a sheet in movement from the table in a path to travel between said aperture and said guide means; means hinging said rear portion of the table enabling opening of said table as a cover forwardly from, relative to, and without requiring any opening of said receiving and directing means for access to said aperture; guide means aligned with said aperture and cooperating with the guide means of the table; sheet advancing rollers in part carried by said table and in part remaining with said cooperating guide means when the table is opened; hold-down plate means carried by the table and facing said aperture; a light source for illuminating said aperture; an electrical circuit for energizing said light source; a normally open switch in said circuit and mounted on said table; and a switch actuator mounted in the path of travel of the sheet toward the aperture for closing the switch response to actuation by a sheet; said actuator having an extension engaged by the sheet after it leaves said aperture to maintain the switch closed until the trailing end of the sheet leaves the aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A copier according to claim 8, including means defining a path for a copy sheet, and an electrostatic charging device in said path, said circuit including said charging device whereby the charging device is energized upon closing of said switch, concurrently with energizing of the light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electrophotographic copier including a cabinet having front, side, back and top walls with a chamber in the front portion of the cabinet under means defining a scanning aperture, and means defining an exposure aperture in the back portion of the cabinet, the improvement comprising: an illumination lamp and reflector in the lower forward portion of said cabinet for directing scanning light into the scanning aperture; a mirror rearwardly adjacent to the reflector to receive reflected image from said scanning aperture and tilted to direct the image rearwardly toward said exposure aperture; an image intensity modulating shutter mounted on a rotary shaft operatively rearwardly adjacent to said mirror; and means at the front of the cabinet for operating said shutter comprising a pulley on the shaft, a digitally operable adjustment wheel exposed for manipulation at the front of the cabinet, and a flexible drive connection between said wheel and said pulley.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electrophotographic copier including a cabinet having front, side, back and top walls with a chamber in the front portion of the cabinet under means defining a scanning aperture, and means defining an exposure aperture in the back portion of the cabinet, the improvement comprising: an illumination lamp and reflector in the lower forward portion of said cabinet for directing scanning light into the scanning aperture; a mirror rearwardly adjacent to the reflector to receive reflected image from said scanning aperture and tilted to direct the image rearwardly toward said exposure aperture; an image intensity modulating shutter mounted on a rotary shaft operatively rearwardly adjacent to said mirror; and means at the front of the cabinet for operating said shutter comprising a pulley on the shaft, a digitally operable adjustment wheel exposed for manipulation at the front of the cabinet, and a flexible drive connection between said wheel and said pulley.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
218 words
A copier including a supporting structure carrying means providing an upwardly directed aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved in generally horizontal rear-to-front direction: a generally horizontal sheet feeding table panel structure providing a separable cover over said aperture and having a top surface over which a sheet is movable toward a rear edge of the table panel structure, and a bottom surface including sheet guide means separably facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; guide structure fixedly carried by said supporting structure and comprising complementary guide members providing a turnaround passage having an entry end aligned with said rear edge of said table panel structure for receiving a sheet in movement from said top surface and extending rearwardly and then curving downwardly and then extending forwardly to direct a sheet through said passage, and having an exit end aligned with and directing the sheet to and between said bottom surface and guide means and said aperture; and means hinging a rear end portion of the table panel structure on said supporting structure separated from said guide structure and enabling swinging open of said table panel structure on a horizontal pivot axis transverse to said passage and relative to and without opening of said guide structure in order to gain access to said aperture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
218 words
A copier including a supporting structure carrying means providing an upwardly directed aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved in generally horizontal rear-to-front direction: a generally horizontal sheet feeding table panel structure providing a separable cover over said aperture and having a top surface over which a sheet is movable toward a rear edge of the table panel structure, and a bottom surface including sheet guide means separably facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; guide structure fixedly carried by said supporting structure and comprising complementary guide members providing a turnaround passage having an entry end aligned with said rear edge of said table panel structure for receiving a sheet in movement from said top surface and extending rearwardly and then curving downwardly and then extending forwardly to direct a sheet through said passage, and having an exit end aligned with and directing the sheet to and between said bottom surface and guide means and said aperture; and means hinging a rear end portion of the table panel structure on said supporting structure separated from said guide structure and enabling swinging open of said table panel structure on a horizontal pivot axis transverse to said passage and relative to and without opening of said guide structure in order to gain access to said aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
A copier according to claim 11, in which said top surface and said passage are free and unobstructed for manual rearward thrusting of a sheet along said top surface and reception of its leading end in said entry to be guided through said passage and out of said exit end, and a pair of cooperating sheet driving rollers located immediately beyond said exit and to receive the leading end of the sheet and drive the sheet forwardly between said sheet guide means and aperture, one of said rollers being mounted in driven rotary relation on said supporting structure and the other of said rollers being rotatably mounted on said table panel movable into separated relatIon to said driven roller when the table panel is swung open.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
A copier according to claim 11, wherein said table panel structure comprises a flat top panel providing said top surface, narrow side panels depending from said top panel, a bottom panel spaced from said top panel carried by said side panels and providing said bottom surface, said bottom panel having a transverse gap therein aligned with said aperture in the closed condition of the table panel structure, said guide means comprising a guide plate relatively movably connected to said side panels within said gap and normally biased toward said aperture in the closed condition of the table panel structure, said guide plate being carried separably away from said aperture when the table panel structure is moved into the open position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
A copier according to claim 13, including an electrical control means having a switch mounted in a space provided between said top and bottom panels and having a control arm actuator freely straddling said guide plate within said space and having an end portion operatively located adjacent to the rear side of said gap for actuation by the advancing sheet, and a second end portion located adjacent to the front side of said gap for engagement by the advancing sheet after it has traversed said aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
242 words
A copier including a supporting structure carrying means providing an upwardly directed aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal rear-to-front direction: a generally horizontal sheet feeding table panel structure providing a separable cover over said aperture and having a top surface over which a sheet is movable toward a rear edge of the table panel structure, and a bottom surface including sheet guide means separably facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; guide structure fixedly carried by said supporting structure and comprising complementary guide members providing a turnaround passage having an entry end aligned with said rear edge of said table panel structure for receiving a sheet in movement from said top surface and extending rearwardly and then curving downwardly and then extending forwardly to direct a sheet through said passage, and having an exit end aligned with and directing the sheet to and between said bottom surface and guide means and said aperture; means hinging a rear end portion of the table panel structure on said supporting structure separated from said guide structure and enabling swinging open of said table panel structure on a horizontal pivot axis transverse to said passage and relative to and without opening of said guide structure in order to gain access to said aperture; and stop means carried by said supporting structure for holding said table panel structure in an upwardly and rearwardly directed relation when swung open.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
242 words
A copier including a supporting structure carrying means providing an upwardly directed aperture across which a sheet is adapted to be moved in a generally horizontal rear-to-front direction: a generally horizontal sheet feeding table panel structure providing a separable cover over said aperture and having a top surface over which a sheet is movable toward a rear edge of the table panel structure, and a bottom surface including sheet guide means separably facing said aperture to guide a sheet thereacross; guide structure fixedly carried by said supporting structure and comprising complementary guide members providing a turnaround passage having an entry end aligned with said rear edge of said table panel structure for receiving a sheet in movement from said top surface and extending rearwardly and then curving downwardly and then extending forwardly to direct a sheet through said passage, and having an exit end aligned with and directing the sheet to and between said bottom surface and guide means and said aperture; means hinging a rear end portion of the table panel structure on said supporting structure separated from said guide structure and enabling swinging open of said table panel structure on a horizontal pivot axis transverse to said passage and relative to and without opening of said guide structure in order to gain access to said aperture; and stop means carried by said supporting structure for holding said table panel structure in an upwardly and rearwardly directed relation when swung open.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
255 words
In a copier having a cabinet provided therein with means defining a scanning aperture and means defining an exposure aperture, with means for scanning a document passing across said scanning aperture and including an optical system for transmitting an image from the scanning aperture into the exposure aperture: a cabinet top having a front portion providing a feed table for receiving a document sheet and a copy sheet superimposed thereon; means providing a document sheet guide passageway across said scanning aperture; means providing a guide passageway for copy sheets across said exposure aperture; means located along a rear edge of said table providing an entrance into the document sheet passageway aligned with the top of the table and an entrance into said copy sheet passageway for copy sheets located above said document sheet passageway entrance, with a sheet divider between said entrances; said table comprising a front cover hinged at a rear end portion thereof to enable opening thereof for access to said scanning aperture; a rear cover having a front portion raised above said copy sheet passageway entrance; Said front portion serving as a stop for holding said front cover in open position in an upwardly and rearwardly directed relation; said front cover providing part of said document sheet guide passageway; and a guide plate relatively movably connected to said front cover and normally biased toward said scanning aperture; said guide plate being carried by said front cover separably away from said scanning aperture when said front cover is moved into said open position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
255 words
In a copier having a cabinet provided therein with means defining a scanning aperture and means defining an exposure aperture, with means for scanning a document passing across said scanning aperture and including an optical system for transmitting an image from the scanning aperture into the exposure aperture: a cabinet top having a front portion providing a feed table for receiving a document sheet and a copy sheet superimposed thereon; means providing a document sheet guide passageway across said scanning aperture; means providing a guide passageway for copy sheets across said exposure aperture; means located along a rear edge of said table providing an entrance into the document sheet passageway aligned with the top of the table and an entrance into said copy sheet passageway for copy sheets located above said document sheet passageway entrance, with a sheet divider between said entrances; said table comprising a front cover hinged at a rear end portion thereof to enable opening thereof for access to said scanning aperture; a rear cover having a front portion raised above said copy sheet passageway entrance; Said front portion serving as a stop for holding said front cover in open position in an upwardly and rearwardly directed relation; said front cover providing part of said document sheet guide passageway; and a guide plate relatively movably connected to said front cover and normally biased toward said scanning aperture; said guide plate being carried by said front cover separably away from said scanning aperture when said front cover is moved into said open position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
A copier according to claim 16, including electrical control means having a switch mounted on said front cover and having a control arm extending into said document sheet guide passageway for actuation by a document sheet moving through said document sheet passageway, said switch and control arm being separably movable away from said scanning aperture with said front cover when the front cover is moved into the open position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |