Patent US2370450A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3797347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sequence control apparatus for electrophotographic copying machine
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-27
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-07-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling the sequential operation of several functions of a fully automatic electrophotographic copying machine. The copying machine has the capability of projecting an image of indicia on a moving document to a piece of copy paper which is moving in synchronism with the document, and of developing a visible image of the indicia on the copy paper. The disclosed apparatus controls, in response to sensing the leading edge of the document, the energization and de-energization of an illuminating lamp, an electrostatic charger, the commencement of feeding of copy paper, the moment of operation of a severing mechanism for severing a sheet of copy paper from a roll thereof and the feeding of a minimum length of copy paper, regardless of the length of the original document, to prevent pieces of copy paper less than that minimum length from being fed through the machine. The apparatus has features of adjustability which assure that sheets of copy paper will be severed from the roll having a length in exact accordance with the length of the original document, and which assure that the indicia on the original document will be reproduced on the sheet of copy paper in exact accordance with the position of the indicia on the document.
Inventors
- 👤 J Miciukiewicz
- 👤 W Ross
- 👤 D Morrison
- 👤 P Pollak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/444; Y10T83/4443; Y10T83/4448; Y10T83/4597; Y10T83/4602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
In a photocopier having a drive train for driving feed rollers to translate copy and document sheets along separate feed paths, a supply roll from which copy paper is withdrawn by normally inoperative initial feed rollers in the copy sheet feed path and a severing mechanism for cutting the copy paper into sheet lengths, control apparatus comprising, in combination: A. a sensing means located in the document feed path to detect the passage of the leading and trailing edges of the document; B. clutch means controlled by said sensing means, sad clutch means being operative 1. to normally assume a first position, 2. to move to assume a second position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s leading edge, and 3. to return to said first position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s trailing edge; C. first driven means coupled to the normally inoperative initial feed rollers and engaged by said clutch means while in said second position to couple the drive train to the initial feed rollers, thereby withdrawing copy paper from the supply roll; and D. second driven means operatively coupled to the severing mechanism, said second driven means being engaged by said clutch means upon its return from said second position to said first position to couple the drive train thereto, thereby initiating actuation of the severing mechanism to cut the copy paper into a sheet length corresponding to the length of the document sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a photocopier having a drive train for driving feed rollers to translate copy and document sheets along separate feed paths, a supply roll from which copy paper is withdrawn by normally inoperative initial feed rollers in the copy sheet feed path and a severing mechanism for cutting the copy paper into sheet lengths, control apparatus comprising, in combination: A. a sensing means located in the document feed path to detect the passage of the leading and trailing edges of the document; B. clutch means controlled by said sensing means, sad clutch means being operative 1. to normally assume a first position, 2. to move to assume a second position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s leading edge, and 3. to return to said first position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s trailing edge; C. first driven means coupled to the normally inoperative initial feed rollers and engaged by said clutch means while in said second position to couple the drive train to the initial feed rollers, thereby withdrawing copy paper from the supply roll; and D. second driven means operatively coupled to the severing mechanism, said second driven means being engaged by said clutch means upon its return from said second position to said first position to couple the drive train thereto, thereby initiating actuation of the severing mechanism to cut the copy paper into a sheet length corresponding to the length of the document sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
a second gear engageable with and rotated by said first gear when said control element assumes said second position,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
a second gear engageable with and rotated by said first gear when said control element assumes said second position,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
to move to assume a second position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s leading edge, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
to move to assume a second position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s leading edge, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein A. said first driven means includes an adjustable first lost motion coupling fo delaying the start of copy paper withdrawal after said clutch means assumes said second position; and B. said second driven means includes an adjustable second lost motion coupling for delaying the actuation of the severing mechanism after said clutch means returns to said first position from said second position; C. the delays imparted by said first and second lost motion couplings being substantially equal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
a drive gear journalled on said control lever and continuously coupled to the drive train; B. said first driven means includes a first driven gear engaged by said drive gear when said control lever is in said second position; and C. said second driven means includes a second driven gear engaged by said drive gear when said control lever returns from said second position to said first position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
a drive gear journalled on said control lever and continuously coupled to the drive train; B. said first driven means includes a first driven gear engaged by said drive gear when said control lever is in said second position; and C. said second driven means includes a second driven gear engaged by said drive gear when said control lever returns from said second position to said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
engagement means carried by said second gear for engaging said latch element to release said control element after a predetermined increment of rotation of said second gear by said first gear, whereby said control element is rendered non-responsive to said sensing means signalling the passage of a documenT''s trailing edge until a minimum length of copy paper has been withdrawn from the supply roll.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
engagement means carried by said second gear for engaging said latch element to release said control element after a predetermined increment of rotation of said second gear by said first gear, whereby said control element is rendered non-responsive to said sensing means signalling the passage of a documenT''s trailing edge until a minimum length of copy paper has been withdrawn from the supply roll.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
to return to said first position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s trailing edge; C. first driven means coupled to the normally inoperative initial feed rollers and engaged by said clutch means while in said second position to couple the drive train to the initial feed rollers, thereby withdrawing copy paper from the supply roll; and D. second driven means operatively coupled to the severing mechanism, said second driven means being engaged by said clutch means upon its return from said second position to said first position to couple the drive train thereto, thereby initiating actuation of the severing mechanism to cut the copy paper into a sheet length corresponding to the length of the document sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
to return to said first position upon the detection by said sensing means of the passage of the document''s trailing edge; C. first driven means coupled to the normally inoperative initial feed rollers and engaged by said clutch means while in said second position to couple the drive train to the initial feed rollers, thereby withdrawing copy paper from the supply roll; and D. second driven means operatively coupled to the severing mechanism, said second driven means being engaged by said clutch means upon its return from said second position to said first position to couple the drive train thereto, thereby initiating actuation of the severing mechanism to cut the copy paper into a sheet length corresponding to the length of the document sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, which further includes latch means engaging said clutch means as it assumes said second position, said latch means being operatively coupled to said first driven means so as to be disengaged from said clutch means after a predetermined minimum length of copy paper has been withdrawn from the supply roll.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a switch which is actuated from a first to a second condition by the passage of the leading edge of the document and actuated to return to said first condition by the passage of the trailing edge of the document, said apparatus further including A. a solenoid actuated while said switch is in said second condition to position said clutch means in said second position; and B. a spring operable to position said clutch means in said first position while said switch is in said first condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein A. said clutch means includes
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a copier having separate document and copy sheet feed paths, a supply roll of copy paper, an initial feed roller operative to withdraw copy paper from the supply roll, and a cutter mechanism operative to cut the copy paper into sheet lengths corresponding to the lengths of the document sheets, control apparatus comprising, in combination: A. sensing means located in the document feed path and operating to signal the passage of the leading and trailing edges of a document sheet; B. a control element normally assuming a first position and mounted for movement to a second position in response to said sensing means signalling the passage of a document''s leading edge,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a copier having separate document and copy sheet feed paths, a supply roll of copy paper, an initial feed roller operative to withdraw copy paper from the supply roll, and a cutter mechanism operative to cut the copy paper into sheet lengths corresponding to the lengths of the document sheets, control apparatus comprising, in combination: A. sensing means located in the document feed path and operating to signal the passage of the leading and trailing edges of a document sheet; B. a control element normally assuming a first position and mounted for movement to a second position in response to said sensing means signalling the passage of a document''s leading edge,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said actuator means is so constructed and positioned as to be engaged by said drive initiating means when said control element returns to said first position to initiate actuation of the cutter mechanism.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said sensing means comprises a switch which is closed for the time required for a document sheet to pass a given point in the document feed path, said apparatus further includes: A. a solenoid actuated during the period of closure of said switch to position said control element to said second position; and B. a spring acting to return said control element to said first position upon deactuation of said solenoid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein A. said driven means includes means for providing an adjustable first time delay between the moment said control element assumes said second position and the application of drive to the initial feed roller; and B. said actuator means provides an adjustable second time delay, equal to said first time delay, between the return of said control element to said first position and the actuation of the cutter mechanism.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein said means providing said first time delay is a lost motion mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein said drive initiating means includes a first gear drivingly connected to the drive train of the copier, said first gear A. drivingly engaging said driven means when said control element assumes said second position; and B. drivingly engaging said actuator means when said control element returns from said second position to said first position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein said driven means includes: A. a shaft drivingly connected to the initial feed roller; B. a second gear journalled on said shaft and drivingly engaged by said first gear; C. a spring for angularly orienting said second gear to a reference position when said first and second gears are disengaged; D. a first abutment carried by said second gear; and E. a second abutment angularly keyed on said shaft in adjustably spaced relation to said first abutment when said second gear assumes said reference position and engaged thereby to couple drive to the initial feed roller after a predetermined increment of rotation of said second gear by said first gear.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
108 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein said actuator means includes A. a timing gear positioned for engagement by said first gear when said control element assumes said first position; B. a boss carried by said timing gear; C. a stop establishing a reference angular position for said timing gear; D. a spring for rotating said timing gear to said reference position upon disengagement by said first gear; and E. a switch actuator for actuating the cutter mechanism upon engagement by said boss after a predetermined increment of rotation of said timing gear by said first gear upon return of said control element to said first position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said switch actuator is adjustably angularly positioned relative to said boss when said timing gear is in said reference position, whereby to vary the magnitude of said predetermined increment of rotation of said timing gear.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said timing gear is formed having detent means cooperating with said first gear to retain said timing gear in a normal angular position against the force of said spring, A. said timing gear being rotated from said reference angular position to said normal angular position by said first gear each time said control element returns to said first position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein said detent meanS is in the form of a cutout in the toothed periphery of said timing gear.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein said switch actuator is constructed so as to be triggered to actuate the cutter mechanism only when engaged by said boss upon rotation of said timing gear from said reference angular position to said normal angular position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
The control apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said driven means includes: A. a shaft drivingly connected to the initial feed roller; B. a second gear journalled on said shaft and drivingly engaged by said first gear; C. a spring for angularly orienting said second gear to a reference position when said first and second gears are disengaged; D. a first abutment carried by said second gear; and E. a second abutment angularly keyed on said shaft in adjustably spaced relation to said first abutment when said second gear assumes said reference position and engaged thereby to couple drive to the initial feed roller after a predetermined increment of rotation of said second gear by said first gear.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a copier having separate document and copy sheet feed paths, a supply roll of copy paper, an initial feed roller operative to withdraw copy paper from the supply roll, and a cutter mechanism operative to cut the copy paper into sheet lengths corresponding to the lengths of the document sheets, control apparatus comprising, in combination: A. sensing means located in the document feed path and operating to signal the passage of the leading and trailing edges of a document sheet; B. a control element normally assuming a first position and mounted for movement to a second position in response to said sensing means signalling the passage of a document''s leading edge;
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a copier having separate document and copy sheet feed paths, a supply roll of copy paper, an initial feed roller operative to withdraw copy paper from the supply roll, and a cutter mechanism operative to cut the copy paper into sheet lengths corresponding to the lengths of the document sheets, control apparatus comprising, in combination: A. sensing means located in the document feed path and operating to signal the passage of the leading and trailing edges of a document sheet; B. a control element normally assuming a first position and mounted for movement to a second position in response to said sensing means signalling the passage of a document''s leading edge;
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein said latch means includes A. a latch element releasably engaging said control element each time the latter assumes said second position; and B. a driven element engaging said driven means while said control element is in said first position,
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein A. said driven means includes a first gear secured on a shaft drivingly connected to the initial feed roller; and B. said latch means includes
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus defined in claim 21, wherein said latch means further includes A. a pivotally mounted lever journalling said second gear; B. resilient means interconnecting said control element and said lever such that said lever is movable with said control element, whereby said second gear moves into engagement with said first gear when said control element assumes said second position; C. a spring rotating said second gear to a reference angular position upon disengagement of said first and second gears; and D. detent means on said second gear for establishing a second angular position therefor, whereby said second gear is rotated from said reference angular position to said second angular position to bring said engagement means into engagement with said latch element thereby releasing said control element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus defined in claim 22, wherein said detent means comprises a cut-out formed in the toothed periphery of said second gear, A. said first gear engaging said cut-out to retain said second gear in said second angular position to hold said latch element out of engagement with said control element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus defined in claim 21, wherein said sensing means comprises a switch which is closed for the time required for a document sheet to pass a given point in the document feed path, said apparatus further includes: A. a solenoid actuated during the period of closure of said switch to position said control element to said second position; and B. a spring acting to return said control element to said first position upon deactuation of said solenoid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3452627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |