Cartridge sheet feed attachment

Claim 2

Sheet feed apparatus comprising: a sheet stack receptacle holding a stack of sheets in a position in which they are gravitationally urged in the direction in which they are to be fed; first and second stack restraining means against which said gravitationally urged sheets abut; means for moving the uppermost sheet from said stack transversely of said direction of feed to a position beyond said first restraining means; means for freeing said sheet from said second restraining means; and means for driving said sheet in said direction of feed.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means removing said sheet transversely is a freely rotatable member which is peripherally engaged with said uppermost sheet urged linearly in said transverse direction.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the distance between said integral edge alignment guide for said uppermost sheet and said first restraining means equals the width of said sheets.

Claim 6

Apparatus for feeding sheets in a stack seriatim to a utilization device comprising: a frame adapted for connection to said utilization device; a cartridge connectable to said frame for holding the stack oriented in the direction of the utilization device; means integral with said cartridge restraining stack movement in the direction of said utilization device; edge aligning means integral with said cartridge; selectively operable shingling means connected to said frame for separating the topmost sheet in a direction transverse to the direction of the utilization device; means connected to said frame for urging said topmost sheet against said edge aligning means; means connected to said frame for removing only said topmost sheet from said means for restraining; and means connected to said frame for feeding said topmost sheet in the direction of the utilization device.

Claim 7

Apparatus for feeding sheets in a stack seriatim to a utilization device comprising: a frame adapted for connection to said utilization device; a cartridge connectable to said frame for holding the stack oriented in the direction of the utilization device; means integral with said cartridge restraining stack movement in the direction of said utilization device; edge aligning means integral with said cartridge; selectively operable shingling means connected to said frame for separating the topmost sheet in a direction transverse to the direction of the utilization device; means connected to said frame for urging said topmost sheet against said edge aligning means; means connected to said frame for removing only said topmost sheet from said means for restraining; and means connected to said frame for feeding said topmost sheet in the direction of the utilization device.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 further including sensor means for detecting when said topmost sheet has reached said means for urging said topmost sheet against said edge aligning means and outputting a signal; and means responsive to said signal connected to said selectively operable shingling means for terminating shingling.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said selectively operable shingling means includes: a cylindrical wheel having spaced about its periphery free rolling rollers whose axes of rotation are parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical wheel; said cylindrical wheel being rotatably connected to an arm pivotably connected to said frame; a motor mounted on said frame and drivingly connected to said wheel and to said arm through a slip clutch whereby energizing said motor in a first direction rotates said wheel and pivots said arm downward and reversing said motor raises said arm.