US4437656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet feeding device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1981-06-09
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Granted: 1984-03-20
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Expires: 2001-06-09
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a device for feeding sheet-like image-bearing members (hereinafter simply referred to as sheets) cut into a predetermined size and used with copying machines, recording apparatuses, printing machines and the like. More particularly, it discloses improvements in a sheet feeding device having a feed roller for feeding one by one sheets piled on a paper feed bed or in a cassette or the like, said roller having a cross-section in which part of the circumference thereof is cut away so that, during the non-feeding, the uppermost surface of the piled sheets and said roller maintain a non-contact condition with the aid of said cut-away part. The sheet feeding device is characterized in that it has a member for depressing the piled sheets substantially to a predetermined position before said roller contacts the sheets, in order to always maintain constant the position whereat said feed roller first contacts the sheets. The sheets commonly used with the copying machines and the like are sheets of plain paper or sheets of paper having chemicals applied thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeyoshi Onoda
- 👤 Tateki Nagaoka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/02; B65H3/06; B65H3/0638
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A sheet feeding device attachable to and detachable from a predetermined part of an image forming machine, comprising: means for accommodating sheets; a supporting member, provided in said sheet accomodating means, for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller, at a fixed position, for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, when feeding is not taking place, is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding operation, the circular section of the roller is in contact with the topmost sheet to feed it; a register roller for synchronizing the sheet fed out by said feed roller with an image to be formed therein; and a displacing member, so disposed relatively to said circular section of the roller as to be downwardly movable with the rotation of the feed roller, and to displace the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A sheet feeding device attachable to and detachable from a predetermined part of an image forming machine, comprising: means for accommodating sheets; a supporting member, provided in said sheet accomodating means, for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller, at a fixed position, for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, when feeding is not taking place, is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding operation, the circular section of the roller is in contact with the topmost sheet to feed it; a register roller for synchronizing the sheet fed out by said feed roller with an image to be formed therein; and a displacing member, so disposed relatively to said circular section of the roller as to be downwardly movable with the rotation of the feed roller, and to displace the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said displacing member is mounted on said feed roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said displacing member is mounted on a shaft of said feed roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said feed roller is provided with plural cut-away portions to each of which said displacing member is provided.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said displacing member includes a roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said displacing member includes a bar having a part-circular end adapted to contact the topmost sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
173 words
A sheet feeding device attachable to and detachable from a predetermined part of an image forming machine, comprising: means for accommodating sheets; a supporting member, provided in said sheet accommodating means, for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding operation, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; and a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A sheet feeding device attachable to and detachable from a predetermined part of an image forming machine, comprising: means for accommodating sheets; a supporting member, provided in said sheet accommodating means, for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding operation, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; and a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said displacing member is mounted on said feed roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said displacing member is mounted on a shaft of said feed roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said feed roller is provided with plural cut-away portions to each of which said displacing member is provided.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 7, 8, or 9, wherein said displacing member includes a bar having a part-circular end adapted to contact the topmost sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 7 or 9, wherein said displacing member includes a bar having a part-circular end adapted to contact the topmost sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
169 words
A sheet feeding device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding operation, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; a register roller for synchronizing the sheet fed by said feed roller with an image to be formed thereon; and a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
169 words
A sheet feeding device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding operation, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; a register roller for synchronizing the sheet fed by said feed roller with an image to be formed thereon; and a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein said displacing member is mounted on said feed roller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein said displacing member is mounted on a shaft of said feed roller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said feed roller is provided with plural cut-away portions to each of which said displacing member is provided.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein said displacing member includes a roller.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 13 or 15, wherein said displacing member includes a bar having a part-circular end adapted to contact the topmost sheet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
152 words
A sheet feeding device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller, at a fixed position, for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
152 words
A sheet feeding device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller, at a fixed position, for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein said displacing member is mounted on said feed roller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein said displacing member is mounted on a shaft of said feed roller.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said feed roller is provided with plural cut-away portions to each of which said displacing member is provided.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein said displacing member includes a roller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 19 or 21, wherein said displacing member includes a bar having a part-circular end adapted to contact the topmost sheet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
148 words
A sheet feeding device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
A sheet feeding device, comprising: a supporting member for supporting a stack of sheets to be fed therefrom, means for pivotally supporting said supporting member at a rear portion thereof with respect to the direction of the feed and means urging a front portion thereof upwardly; a rotatable feed roller for feeding the sheets one by one, said feed roller having an incomplete circular cross-section with a segment thereof cut away, wherein the cut-away portion of the roller, during non-feeding is opposed to the topmost sheet of the stack of sheets, and upon feeding, the circular section of the roller is contacted with the topmost sheet to feed it; a displacing member for displacing the topmost sheet downwardly to a predetermined position before said feed roller is brought into contact with the topmost sheet, said displacing member maintaining, during non-feeding, a state of non-contact with the topmost sheet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 25, wherein said displacing member is mounted on said feed roller.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 25, wherein said displacing member is mounted on a shaft of said feed roller.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said feed roller is provided with plural cut-away portions to each of which said displacing member is provided.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein said displacing member includes a roller.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 25 or 27, wherein said displacing member includes a bar having a part-circular end adapted to contact the topmost sheet.
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) | 1987-03-20 | 1987-09-19 | 1988-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-20 | 1991-09-19 | 1992-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-20 | 1995-09-19 | 1996-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |