Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus for a printer having a platen for holding and providing at least longitudinal motion to a sheet of paper, said apparatus comprising a rectangular tray including a rear paper support portion and a spaced apart forward paper support portion, said portions for supporting thereon the opposite ends of a stack of paper, at least one shingler wheel intermediate said support portions for engaging the lowermost sheet of said paper sheet stack, and means for effecting rotation of said shingler wheel in a first direction to move the lowermost sheet of said stack away from said forward support portion until said lowermost sheet is no longer supported thereby, and then in the opposite direction to drive said lowermost sheet beneath said forward paper support portion, said forward paper support portion comprising a pair of inwardly projecting, spaced apart fingers, the improvement comprising: paper stack lift means moveably mounted adjacent said fingers, and actuator means to effect movement of said paper stack lift means between a first recessed position below said fingers and a second position above said fingers so that upon loading of said stack of papers into said tray, said lift means is first placed in said second position by said actuator means, said paper stack impinging upon said rear paper support portion and said lift means, and then said lift means is moved to said first position by said actuator means to deposit said stack of paper on said fingers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus for a printer having a platen for holding and providing at least longitudinal motion to a sheet of paper, said apparatus comprising a rectangular tray including a rear paper support portion and a spaced apart forward paper support portion, said portions for supporting thereon the opposite ends of a stack of paper, at least one shingler wheel intermediate said support portions for engaging the lowermost sheet of said paper sheet stack, and means for effecting rotation of said shingler wheel in a first direction to move the lowermost sheet of said stack away from said forward support portion until said lowermost sheet is no longer supported thereby, and then in the opposite direction to drive said lowermost sheet beneath said forward paper support portion, said forward paper support portion comprising a pair of inwardly projecting, spaced apart fingers, the improvement comprising: paper stack lift means moveably mounted adjacent said fingers, and actuator means to effect movement of said paper stack lift means between a first recessed position below said fingers and a second position above said fingers so that upon loading of said stack of papers into said tray, said lift means is first placed in said second position by said actuator means, said paper stack impinging upon said rear paper support portion and said lift means, and then said lift means is moved to said first position by said actuator means to deposit said stack of paper on said fingers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said paper stack lift means includes at least a pair of spaced apart cams mounted for rotation adjacent said fingers, and wherein said actuator means includes linkage means connected to said cam means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said paper stack lift means includes a support shelf superimposed on said cams, and means pivotally mounting said support shelf so that upon rotation of said cams said shelf moves about said pivot means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claims 2 or 3 wherein said actuator means comprises a cover moveable between a first position superimposed of said tray and into a second position exposing said tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said cover means is connected to said linkage means, and second pivot means for said cover means connected to said linkage so that said cover rotates about said pivot means effecting simultaneous motion to said cam means upon rotation of said cover means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said cover has a narrower central portion than its opposite end portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including hinge means on said cover to permit folding thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including stop means to restrict the rotation of said cover upon rotation of said cover into said second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an improved sheet paper feed apparatus for a printer having a platen for holding and providing at least longitudinal motion to a sheet of paper, said apparatus comprising a rectangular tray including a rear paper support portion and a spaced apart forward paper support portion, said portions for supporting thereon the opposite ends of a stack of paper, at least one shingler wheel intermediate said support portions for engaging the lowermost sheet of said paper sheet stack, and means for effecting rotation of said shingler wheel in a first direction to move the lowermost sheet of said stack away from said forward support portion until said lowermost sheet is no longer supported thereby and then in the opposite direction to drive said lowermost sheet beneath said forward paper support portion, said forward paper support portion comprising a pair of inwardly projecting, spaced apart fingers, the improvement comprising: a cover member mounted for rotation on said tray and dimensioned to fit within said tray superimposed of a stack of paper, and stack lift means mounted adjacent said fingers and moveable between a first recessed position below a plane defined by said fingers and said rear paper support portion and a second position above said plane, and means coupling said stack lift means to said cover member whereby upon rotation of said cover member away from said tray, said stack lift means assumes said second position and when said cover is in place superimposed of said stack, said lift means is in said first position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an improved sheet paper feed apparatus for a printer having a platen for holding and providing at least longitudinal motion to a sheet of paper, said apparatus comprising a rectangular tray including a rear paper support portion and a spaced apart forward paper support portion, said portions for supporting thereon the opposite ends of a stack of paper, at least one shingler wheel intermediate said support portions for engaging the lowermost sheet of said paper sheet stack, and means for effecting rotation of said shingler wheel in a first direction to move the lowermost sheet of said stack away from said forward support portion until said lowermost sheet is no longer supported thereby and then in the opposite direction to drive said lowermost sheet beneath said forward paper support portion, said forward paper support portion comprising a pair of inwardly projecting, spaced apart fingers, the improvement comprising: a cover member mounted for rotation on said tray and dimensioned to fit within said tray superimposed of a stack of paper, and stack lift means mounted adjacent said fingers and moveable between a first recessed position below a plane defined by said fingers and said rear paper support portion and a second position above said plane, and means coupling said stack lift means to said cover member whereby upon rotation of said cover member away from said tray, said stack lift means assumes said second position and when said cover is in place superimposed of said stack, said lift means is in said first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
In an improved sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said stack lift means includes a paper support shelf, and actuation means interconnecting said cover member, and said paper support shelf.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
In an improved sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claims 9 or 10 wherein said stack lift means includes cam means mounted for rotation below said plane, including linkage means interconnecting said cam means to said cover member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
In an improved sheet paper feed apparatus in accordance with claim 11 including a laterally extending shaft on said tray adjacent said rear paper support portion and connected to said cover member to permit rotation thereof, a lever arm connected to said cover member and a link interconnecting said cam means to said lever.