Document Feeder

This invention relates to a document feeder utilizing multiple and spaced feed members to transport a document along a defined path within a document processing machine.

To ensure the correct processing of the information contained on a document, it is important that the position of the document be accurately controlled as the document is transported or advanced along a processing path within a copy machine or other document processing machine. Greater control can be achieved over the positioning of the document if multiple feed members are spaced across the path, and positioned to afford multiple areas of contact with the document. If however, the multiple feed members are not aligned with each other as well as with the processing path, the unequal forces exerted on the document by the unaligned feed members may tend to bow the document between the feed members, tear the document between the feed members, or skew the document toward one side of the processing path.

The present invention is directed to a document feeder including multiple feed members which are mounted in a manner facilitating their independent angular adjustment with respect to each other and to the processing path, and facilitating a balancing of the pressure exerted by each of the feed members on the document to be fed. The document feeder according to this invention comprises a first and a second feed member mounted within a frame and positioned adjacent opposite sides of a document processing path defined within the frame. Means are provided to bias each of the feed members into contact with a document which is to be fed, in a manner balancing the total pressure or biasing force exerted against the document, equally between the feed members. Typically the feed members are rollers or drive belts which when rotated urge the document, along the processing path, in the direction of their rotation at the point of contact. To afford the alignment of these multiple feed members with each other and with the document processing path and thereby minimize any bowing, tearing, or skewing of the documents, the present invention also includes lever means for pivotally mounting each of the feed members and for affording the independent angular adjustment of each of the feed members with respect to the adjacent side of the path and with respect to each other. This is accomplished by supporting each of the feed members on a separate lever which includes a first arm extending generally parallel to the adjacent side of the path. The first arm has an aperture therethrough which is disposed toward one of its ends. A shaft which is mounted on the frame of the document feeder generally transverse to the path, passes through the aperture and therefore serves as a fulcrum for the lever. Means are provided for adjusting the angular relationship of the first arm and the shaft. As the angular relationship is adjusted, the lever pivots about the shaft, changing the angular orientation of the feed member supported thereon with respect to the processing path.

The present invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the document feeder according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2a and FIG. 2b are transverse sections taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bracket included in the present invention.

A document feeder 10, according to the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1. This document feeder 10 includes a frame 12 upon which a document or a stack of documents 13 (see FIG. 2b) is supported, for advancement along a processing path defined within the feeder 10. A first feed member 14 is mounted on the frame 12 adjacent a first side of the document processing path, and a second feed member 16 is mounted on the frame 12 adjacent a second side of the path. These feed members 14 and 16 are pivotally mounted on the frame 12 in a manner affording their independent angular adjustment with respect to each other and to the adjacent side of the document path. Each of the feed members 14 and 16 can therefore be accurately aligned with each other and oriented to advance the document along the processing path without bowing, tearing, or skewing the document with respect to the path. The independent angular adjustment of the feed members 14 and 16 is made possible by individually mounting each of them on a lever 18 (see FIG. 3) including a first arm 20 which extends generally parallel to the adjacent side of the path, and a second arm 22 which projects at an angle from one end of the first arm 20. Adjacent the end of the first arm 20 from which the second arm 22 projects the lever 18 has an aperture 24 penetrating therethrough. This aperture 24 is adapted to receive a shaft 26 which is mounted on the frame 12 above and generally transverse to the processing path. This shaft 26 extends generally along the second arm 22 of the bracket 18. The aperture 24 and the shaft 26 are sized to afford the pivotal movement of the bracket 18 about the shaft 26. Thus the shaft 26 serves as a fulcrum for the lever 18. The ease in which the bracket 18 pivots with respect to the shaft 26 is enhanced by the presence of a sleeve 34 rotatably mounted on the shaft 26. The aperture 24 of the lever 18 is adapted to receive this sleeve 34, and the sleeve 34 is made of a low friction material allowing the shaft 26 to turn within the sleeve 34 and the bracket 18 to slide along the sleeve 34. The aperture 24 is large enough, therefore, to accommodate the change in the angular orientation of the lever 18 as the first arm 20 is pivoted. The second arm 22 (see FIG. 1) also includes a bore 28 passing therethrough leading toward the shaft 26. A second sleeve 30 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 26 and is positioned adjacent the bore 28. The bore 28 has an internal thread which is adapted to mate with an external thread on a screw 32 which passes through the bore 28 and engages the thread therein. This screw 32 has a sufficient length to contact the second sleeve 30, whereby the screw 32 can be adjusted to establish the distance between the shaft 26 and the distal end of the second arm 22. Any variance in this distance between the shaft 26 and the distal end of the second arm 22 pivots the lever 18 about the aperture 24, thereby changing the angular orientation of the first arm 20 with respect to the document path. Since the feed members 14 and 16 are supported on the respective levers 18, the changing of the angular orientation of the first arms 20 will pivot the feed members 14 and 16. This pivotal motion allows the alignment of each of the feed members with the other, as well as with the document path. Thus, for example, in the case of a rotating feed member, the angle of the feed member's axis of rotation with respect to the path is altered. As will be discussed, a spring 50 biases the second arm 22 toward the shaft 26 thereby maintaining contact between the screw 32 and the shaft 26, thus ensuring that the lever 18 is pivoted to the furthest position allowed by the screw 32.

Although many types of feed members are known within the art, the preferred embodiment utilizes a feed member comprising a pulley 36 which is rotatably mounted adjacent a distal end of the first arm 20. This pulley 36 is engaged by drive means which privide its rotation. The drive means include a drive wheel 38 mounted on the shaft 26 (which is rotatably mounted on the frame 12), and a belt 40 which connects the pulley 36 and the drive wheel 38. The shaft 26 is driven by mechanical means 41 within the office machine which engage a first drive pulley 42 affixed to the shaft 26.

In the preferred embodiment the lever 18 includes a third arm 44 which extends at an angle from the distal end of the second arm 22 which is opposite the first arm 20. This third arm 44 has a first slot 46 therethrough which is also adapted to receive the shaft 26. The first slot 46 is disposed within the third arm 44 such that its longitudinal axis lies in a plane parallel to that in which the feed member 14 or 16 is to pivot. Since the third arm 44 is spaced from the aperture 24 about which the lever 18 pivots, the opening therethrough for the shaft 26 must be elongated to accommodate the pivotal movement of the lever. The width of the first slot 46, however, remains narrow enough to furnish support for the lever 18 on the shaft 26, thereby providing rigidity for the feed members 14 or 16.

Each of the levers 18 move independently but are biased against the document which is to be fed, by a single spring 50 having one end fastened to the frame 12 and the other end fastened to a rod 52. The rod 52 is adapted to slideably engage a second slot 54 also located within the third arm 44 of the lever 18. This second slot 54 has its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first slot 46 but is spaced from the first slot 46 in a direction away from the document path. This spacing affords the application of torque by the spring 50 tending to rotate the lever 18 about the shaft 26, thus biasing the feed members 14 and 16 toward the frame 12 and against the document. The side walls of the second slot 54 supports the rod 52, while the spaced ends permits the pivotal movement of each of levers 18 with only a minimal effect on the biasing force exerted on the lever 18 by the spring 50. Hence, the levers 18 are equally biased against the document by a single spring 50. This effectively equalizes the force applied by each of the feed members 14 and 16 against the document. This spring 50 also maintains tension on the adjustment screws 32, thereby ensuring that the lever 18 is pivoted as far as the screw 32 allows.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that changes may be made in size, shape, or configuration of some of the parts without deparing from the present invention as described in the appended claims.