US4369964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet feed apparatus for printer or the like
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1980-12-23
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 2000-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A drum (13) is provided with vacuum openings (14), (16), for suckingly holding a sheet (19) thereto for printing or the like. A sheet feed failure is detected by sensing for a drop in the level of vacuum at a vacuum source (12) below a predetermined value. Several regulators (36), (37), (38), (39) are provided for regulation to selected levels of vacuum.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichiro Jinnai
- 👤 Michio Umezawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:01
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F33/00; B41F21/00; B41F21/04; B41F21/06; B41F21/10; B41F21/102; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/08; B65H5/12; B65H7/00; B65H7/02; B65H2511/00; B65H2511/50; B65H2511/51; B65H2515/00; B65H2515/30; B65H2515/34; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87265; Y10T137/87298; Y10T137/87306; Y10T137/87314
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A sheet feed apparatus including a drum formed with openings, a vacuum source communicating with the openings so that a sheet is suckingly adhered to the drum by vacuum at the openings, means for feeding the sheet to the drum and means for feeding the sheet away from the drum, characterized by comprising: sensor means for sensing when a level of vacuum at the source drops below a predetermined value and producing an output signal in response thereto; valve means disposed between the vacuum source and the openings; means responsive to the sensor means for, when the output signal is produced during feeding of the sheet to the drum, deenergizing the apparatus; and when the output signal is produced during feeding of the sheet away from the drum, resetting the apparatus to an initial condition with the valve means closed; and an alarm which is energized by the output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A sheet feed apparatus including a drum formed with openings, a vacuum source communicating with the openings so that a sheet is suckingly adhered to the drum by vacuum at the openings, means for feeding the sheet to the drum and means for feeding the sheet away from the drum, characterized by comprising: sensor means for sensing when a level of vacuum at the source drops below a predetermined value and producing an output signal in response thereto; valve means disposed between the vacuum source and the openings; means responsive to the sensor means for, when the output signal is produced during feeding of the sheet to the drum, deenergizing the apparatus; and when the output signal is produced during feeding of the sheet away from the drum, resetting the apparatus to an initial condition with the valve means closed; and an alarm which is energized by the output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vacuum regulator means disposed between the source and the openings for regulating the vacuum to respective predetermined values and means for selectively turning on the regulator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, in which the regulator means are connected in parallel with each other between the vacuum source and the openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 2, in which the regulator means are connected in parallel with each other between the vacuum source and the atmosphere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB732670A
Cited
US3663012A
Cited
US3633239A
Cited
US4127265A
Cited
US4191215A
Cited
US4202542A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-07-26 | 1987-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-24 | 1990-07-26 | 1991-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-07-26 | 1995-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |