US3889942A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for facilitating the feeding of sheets into a reproduction machine or the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A device is provided for facilitating the entry of sheets of material into a reproduction or copying machine, or the like. The device is mounted on a feed table adjacent an entry opening of the machine and includes a pair of supports located adjacent the ends of the entry opening with a stiffening bar supported at ends by the supports and located above the table surface. An entry strip having an edge carried by the bar has a forward edge extending near or into the entry opening of the machine. A sheet barrier extends upwardly from the entry device and intercepts the forward edges of sheets exiting from the machine above the entry opening to prevent such exiting sheets from interfering with the feeding of new sheets into the machine. The stiffening bar is an extrusion on which the sheet barrier can be integrally formed, with the bar having a groove for receiving the entry strip and for also receiving the end supports. In addition, the end supports have openings facing away from the machine which enable folded corners or the like on sheets being fed into the machine to be straightened.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilber B Robnolte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/02; G03B27/14; B; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/36; B65H5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for facilitating entry of sheet material into a reproduction machine, said machine having a supporting surface adjacent an elongate opening of the machine, said device comprising two spaced supports to be located on said surface near opposite ends of the entry opening, said supports forming openings facing outwardly from the machine toward the operator whereby sheets can be inserted into the support openings, a stiffening bar extending between said supports, an entry strip affixed to said stiffening bar and having a forward edge extending toward the entry opening when said supports are on said supporting surface, said stiffening bar forming a groove extending substantially the entire length thereof, portions of said supports being received in ends of said groove and said entry strip having a rearward edge received in said groove and affixed to said stiffening bar.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for facilitating entry of sheet material into a reproduction machine, said machine having a supporting surface adjacent an elongate opening of the machine, said device comprising two spaced supports to be located on said surface near opposite ends of the entry opening, said supports forming openings facing outwardly from the machine toward the operator whereby sheets can be inserted into the support openings, a stiffening bar extending between said supports, an entry strip affixed to said stiffening bar and having a forward edge extending toward the entry opening when said supports are on said supporting surface, said stiffening bar forming a groove extending substantially the entire length thereof, portions of said supports being received in ends of said groove and said entry strip having a rearward edge received in said groove and affixed to said stiffening bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1 characterized by each of said supports comprising a generally horizontally extending leg and means for spacing the leg above the supporting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1 characterized by each of said supports being of generally U-shaped configuration with lower and upper generally horizontally extending legs and a web connecting ends thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 characterized by a sheet barrier extending upwardly from said stiffening bar and also adding to the rigidity of said stiffening bar.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for facilitating entry of sheet material into a reproduction machine, said machine having a supporting surface adjacent an elongate entry opening of the machine, said device comprising two spaced supports to be located on said surface near opposite ends of the entry opening, a stiffening bar extending between said supports, said stiffening bar being an extrusion forming a groove to face generally toward the machine, an entry strip having a longitudinal edge received in said groove and having an opposite parallel, longitudinal edge near the entry opening, and means for holding said entry strip in said groove.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for facilitating entry of sheet material into a reproduction machine, said machine having a supporting surface adjacent an elongate entry opening of the machine, said device comprising two spaced supports to be located on said surface near opposite ends of the entry opening, a stiffening bar extending between said supports, said stiffening bar being an extrusion forming a groove to face generally toward the machine, an entry strip having a longitudinal edge received in said groove and having an opposite parallel, longitudinal edge near the entry opening, and means for holding said entry strip in said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 5 characterized further by a sheet barrier extending upwardly from said extrusion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 5 characterized by said supports having generally horizontally extending legs with ends thereof received in said stiffening bar groove.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
176 words
A device for facilitating entry of sheet material into a reproduction machine, said machine having a supporting surface adjacent an elongate entry opening of the machine, said device comprising two spaced supports to be located on said surface near opposite ends of the entry opening, a stiffening bar extending between said supports, and an entry strip affixed to said stiffening bar and having a forward edge extending toward the entry opening when said supports are on said supporting surface, each of said supports being of generally U-shaped configuration with lower and upper generally horizontally extending elongate legs positioned substantially perpendicular to said stiffening bar, and a web connecting common ends of said elongate legs spaced from said stiffening bar, each of said supports thereby forming an opening facing outwardly away from the machine toward the operator, whereby sheets to be copied can be inserted into the support opening and extend outside the support and then be moved back through the support opening toward the center of the entry opening to straighten corner portions of the sheets.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
176 words
A device for facilitating entry of sheet material into a reproduction machine, said machine having a supporting surface adjacent an elongate entry opening of the machine, said device comprising two spaced supports to be located on said surface near opposite ends of the entry opening, a stiffening bar extending between said supports, and an entry strip affixed to said stiffening bar and having a forward edge extending toward the entry opening when said supports are on said supporting surface, each of said supports being of generally U-shaped configuration with lower and upper generally horizontally extending elongate legs positioned substantially perpendicular to said stiffening bar, and a web connecting common ends of said elongate legs spaced from said stiffening bar, each of said supports thereby forming an opening facing outwardly away from the machine toward the operator, whereby sheets to be copied can be inserted into the support opening and extend outside the support and then be moved back through the support opening toward the center of the entry opening to straighten corner portions of the sheets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |