Patent US5320336A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5320336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet stacking device with vertically movable tray
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1993-03-31
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2013-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A device for stacking sheets sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus on a tray. The device is capable of stacking both of stapled sheets and non-stapled sheets accurately without damaging them. In a stapling mode, the tray is positioned at a home position in which the top surface of the tray or the top-most sheet in the tray is spaced apart from a positioning roller a distance greater than a thickness of a maximum number of sheets which can be stapled together.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinji Asami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6552; B; B42; B42C; B42C1/00; B42C1/12; B65; B65H; B65H31/00; B65H31/04; B65H31/08; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/10; B65H2301/16; B65H2301/162; B65H2301/163; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4219; B65H2301/422; B65H2301/4222; B65H2511/00; B65H2511/20; B65H2511/22; B65H2511/40; B65H2511/414; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00362; G03G2215/00789; G03G2215/00822; G03G2215/00827
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A sheet stacking device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: discharge roller means for discharging a sheet driven out of the image forming apparatus; tray means for stacking the sheets sequentially discharged by said discharge roller means; rotatable positioning roller means facing the top of the sheets stacked on said tray means; sensing means for sensing a level of uppermost one of the sheets stacked on said tray means; tray moving means for adjusting the level of the uppermost one of the sheets in response to an output of said sensing means; and control means for locating, when non-stapled sheets are discharged one by one, said tray means at a home position where said tray means contacts said positioning roller means or locating, when stapled sheets are discharged, said tray means at a home position where said tray means is spaced apart from said positioning roller means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A sheet stacking device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: discharge roller means for discharging a sheet driven out of the image forming apparatus; tray means for stacking the sheets sequentially discharged by said discharge roller means; rotatable positioning roller means facing the top of the sheets stacked on said tray means; sensing means for sensing a level of uppermost one of the sheets stacked on said tray means; tray moving means for adjusting the level of the uppermost one of the sheets in response to an output of said sensing means; and control means for locating, when non-stapled sheets are discharged one by one, said tray means at a home position where said tray means contacts said positioning roller means or locating, when stapled sheets are discharged, said tray means at a home position where said tray means is spaced apart from said positioning roller means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said home position when stapled sheets are discharged, said tray means and said positioning roller means are spaced apart by a distance greater than a thickness of a maximum number of sheets which can be stapled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein periphery of said positioning roller means is located at the rear of a line perpendicular to an intended direction of sheet discharge and tangential to periphery of said discharge roller means in an intended direction of sheet discharge.
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) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |