US3907283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensing sheets on a support surface
Assignee: Xerox Ltd
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Filing: 1973-11-19
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-11-19
Abstract
Abstract To indicate when the sheets of a stack are exhausted, the receptacle for supporting the stack has an opening in the bottom thereof, and a sensing member is biased upwardly through the opening from beneath the receptacle to engage the bottom sheet. A feeding device also acts to press the stack downwardly into contact with the sensing member. When the last sheet is used, the sensing member activates a switch to indicate that the stack is exhausted.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence G Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:01
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H7/00; B65H7/02; B65H7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A sheet feeding and sensing device comprising a support surface for supporting a stack of sheets, the support surface being mounted for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position, feeding means for engaging the top sheet of the stack on the support surface and for pressing downwardly at two spaced locations, the support surface having a slot formed between the two spaced locations, a leaf spring biased upwardly through the slot from below the support surface, the leaf spring being adapted to be depressed downwardly when a sheet is on the support surface, a switch movable between a first and a second position, a plunger operatively associated with the leaf spring and switch, means biasing the plunger toward the leaf spring, the plunger being mounted so as to contact the leaf spring and move the switch to the first position when the support surface is located in its operative position and the leaf spring is depressed downwardly by a sheet, and to move out of contact with the leaf spring and move the switch to the second position when the support surface is in its operative position and the leaf spring is moved upwardly through the slot under its bias, the plunger also being mounted so as to move out of contact with the leaf spring and move the switch to the second position when the support surface is moved to its inoperative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A sheet feeding and sensing device comprising a support surface for supporting a stack of sheets, the support surface being mounted for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position, feeding means for engaging the top sheet of the stack on the support surface and for pressing downwardly at two spaced locations, the support surface having a slot formed between the two spaced locations, a leaf spring biased upwardly through the slot from below the support surface, the leaf spring being adapted to be depressed downwardly when a sheet is on the support surface, a switch movable between a first and a second position, a plunger operatively associated with the leaf spring and switch, means biasing the plunger toward the leaf spring, the plunger being mounted so as to contact the leaf spring and move the switch to the first position when the support surface is located in its operative position and the leaf spring is depressed downwardly by a sheet, and to move out of contact with the leaf spring and move the switch to the second position when the support surface is in its operative position and the leaf spring is moved upwardly through the slot under its bias, the plunger also being mounted so as to move out of contact with the leaf spring and move the switch to the second position when the support surface is moved to its inoperative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A sheet feeding and sensing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support surface is mounted for movement to any one of a plurality of operative positions, and wherein the plunger includes means for engaging the switch so as to keep the latter in its first position when the support surface is in any one of its operative positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sheet feeding and sensing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the support surface includes high friction material adjacent to the spaced locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
A sheet feeding and sensing mechanism comprising a frame, a support surface for supporting a stack of sheets, means for mounting the support surface for movement between an operative position within the frame and an inoperative position out of the frame, means for engaging the top sheet of the stack and for pressing downwardly toward the support surface, the support surface having an opening formed therein, means for sensing the bottom sheet of the stack through the opening, the sensing means being mounted for movement through the opening, means responsive to upward movement of the sensing means through the opening for indicating when the stack of sheets is depleted, the indicating means being mounted to contact the sensing means when the support surface is in its operative position and has at least one sheet thereon, and to move out of contact with the sensing means whenever the support surface is moved to its inoperative position, to thereby indicate the posiTion of the support surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
164 words
A sheet feeding and sensing mechanism comprising a frame, a support surface for supporting a stack of sheets, means for mounting the support surface for movement between an operative position within the frame and an inoperative position out of the frame, means for engaging the top sheet of the stack and for pressing downwardly toward the support surface, the support surface having an opening formed therein, means for sensing the bottom sheet of the stack through the opening, the sensing means being mounted for movement through the opening, means responsive to upward movement of the sensing means through the opening for indicating when the stack of sheets is depleted, the indicating means being mounted to contact the sensing means when the support surface is in its operative position and has at least one sheet thereon, and to move out of contact with the sensing means whenever the support surface is moved to its inoperative position, to thereby indicate the posiTion of the support surface.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |