Claims
- 1. A method for applying a predetermined load to a roller in a printer and/or copier apparatus comprising:supporting a first member relative to a frame, the first member including a driver element; advancing the driver element under a first force to establish a spring force in a spring; the driver element being stopped by a stop member to isolate any variability in the first force from affecting the spring force; providing a force receiving surface secured to said roller; and engaging the force receiving surface with a second member, the second member being connected to the spring so as to provide a loading force to the roller that is essentially parallel the first force.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first member is a cylinder and the driver element is a cylinder rod that translates within the cylinder and a stop is provided on a frame of the apparatus and the cylinder rod translates until stopped by the stop to establish a fixed displacement of the spring.
- 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the first member is pivotably attached to the apparatus frame.
- 4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the spring is located within a cup support and the cup support is pivotably connected to a pivotable lever and the lever provides a mechanical advantage to action of the spring force upon the second member.
- 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the cup support position relative to the pivotable connection to the first arm is adjustable to provide a pre-load force to the spring.
- 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the roller is journaled in a journal bearing and the journal bearing includes the force receiving surface and structure for locating the roller in space.
- 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein a rail assembly is attached to the journal bearing and the rail assembly extends parallel to the axis of the roller and a carriage is attached to the apparatus frame and supports the rail assembly for movement in the axial direction.
- 8. An apparatus for applying a predetermined load to a roller in a printer and/or copier apparatus comprising:a first member having a driver element that is under a first force to establish a spring force in a spring; a stop member, the driver element being stopped by the stop member to isolate any variability in the first force from affecting the spring force; a force receiving surface secured to said roller; and a second member that engages the force receiving surface, the second member being connected to the spring so as to provide a loading force to the roller that is essentially parallel the first force.
- 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first member is a cylinder and the driver element is a cylinder rod that translates within the cylinder and the stop member is provided on a frame of the apparatus and the cylinder rod is translatable until stopped by the stop to establish a fixed displacement of the spring.
- 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the driver element is pivotably attached to the apparatus frame.
- 11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the spring is located within a cup support and the cup support is pivotably connected to a pivotable lever and the lever provides a mechanical advantage to action of the spring force upon the second member.
- 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the cup support position relative to the pivotable connection to the first arm is adjustable to provide a pre-load force to the spring.
- 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the roller is journaled in a journal bearing and the journal bearing includes the force receiving surface and structure for locating the roller in space.
- 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a rail assembly is attached to the journal bearing and the rail assembly extends parallel to the axis of the roller and a carriage is attached to the apparatus frame and supports the rail assembly for movement in the axial direction.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS FILED CONCURRENTLY HEREWITH
1. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/575,044 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING A DRUM INTO A NIP”.
2. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/575,043 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A DRUM FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING FROM A COPIER AND/OR PRINTER APPARATUS”.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5241905 |
Gauraldi et al. |
Sep 1993 |
A |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry |
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/474,352, filed Dec. 29, 1999, in the names of Donald C. Buch et al. |
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/575,044, filed May 19, 2000, in the names of Randall J. Taylor et al. |
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/575,043, filed May 19, 2000, in the names of Randall J. Taylor et al. |