Patent Grant
4135804
U.S. application Ser. No. 662,283, filed Mar. 1, 1976, to Taylor, et al. for a stack elevating apparatus, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,578. This invention relates to a registration apparatus for a reproducing machine. Registration is provided when a sheet which is being fed along a desired path is intercepted by a stop member to properly position it along the path in a timed relationship with an imaging means for applying the image to it. It is well known in the sheet feeding art to employ a registration device in order to insure that a copy sheet when fed to an imaging station is received therein in a properly timed sequence so that the image applied thereto, is appropriately positioned on the sheet. Various approaches have been used to accomplish this registration function. Pivoting type registration gates have found wide application as stop members for registering a sheet in a sheet feed path as evidenced by the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 672,529; 2,246,508; 3,015,485; 3,281,144; 3,298,682; and 3,512,923. A particularly useful pivoting registration member is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,339 to Taylor et al.. Taylor et al. disclose an apparatus wherein sheets fed from a supply in a reproducing machine are forwarded against a movable stop and buckled. A chute forming member movable with the stop provides space for buckling when the stop is blocking sheet movement and aids in flattening the buckle when the stop is not blocking sheet movement. The present invention preferably comprises an improvement in the apparatus as described by Taylor, et al., in that means are provided for controlling the path of the sheet as it is intercepted by the stop and for assisting in stripping the sheet from the member as it is withdrawn from its sheet blocking position. Various devices are known in the art for aiding in stripping a sheet from a sheet blocking member. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,863 to Ralston, a copy sheet and an original document are fed in overlapping relationship to a separator. The separator is designed to take hold of the advanced end of the copy sheet and pull it away from the original document. This causes the two sheets to enter two separate paths for further processing. The separator includes a swinging hook arm which acts as a passive diverter. The arm is pushed by the sheet and pivoted about its center as it swings pulling the trapped end of the sheet along a curved path. The separator also includes a stripping arm which operates in conjunction with the separator arm to sweep outwardly toward the end of the hook on the separator arm and push the trapped copy sheet off the separator arm at a proper location. U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,834 to Mazzio is also directed to separating superimposed sheets. A sheet handling mechanism is described which comprises a means for propelling first and second superimposed sheets along a path with the first sheet projecting slightly ahead of the second sheet. A separating finger projects into the path and includes a projection or hook for temporarily catching the leading edge of the first sheet whereby the advancing movement of that sheet causes the finger to swing out of the path. A stationary stripper operates to dislodge the first sheet from the projection on the finger at an appropriate position whereby the first and second sheets pass along first and second paths. Both the Ralston and Mazzio patents describe separating and stripping system which are arranged to separate a document and a copy sheet after an imaging operation has taken place. In contrast the registration apparatuses in accordance with the present invention are intended for use prior to imaging and serve to properly align the copy sheet with the imaging device so that the image will be properly located on the copy sheet. In accordance with this invention a registration apparatus for a reproducing machine includes a resilient means which cooperates with a stop member to control the path of the sheet as it is intercepted by the stop member. Preferably a means is provided which cooperates with the stop member to control the path as above as well as to strip the sheet from the stop member as the stop member moves out of the sheet path. A reproducing apparatus in accordance with this invention comprises means for forming an image on a copy sheet. Means for feeding or propelling a sheet along a path to the image forming means. Means for registering the copy sheet with respect to the image forming means. The registering means comprises a stop member for intercepting an edge of the sheet and means for moving the stop member either into sheet blocking relationship in the path or out of sheet blocking relationship. A guide member for supporting the sheet is positioned along the path adjacent the stop means. In accordance with this invention the registration means is uniquely improved by providing a resilient means for urging the sheet against the guide member as it is intercepted by the stop means. This provides improved consistency with respect to the position of the edge of the sheet as it is intercepted by the stop means, and, therefore, improved registration of the sheet with respect to the image forming means. In a preferred embodiment, the resilient means also operates to strip a sheet from the stop member as it is moved out of its sheet blocking relationship. Preferably, the stop member comprises a pivotally supported registration gate. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved registration apparatus for a reproducing machine. It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus as above including improved means for controlling the path of a sheet as it is intercepted by a stop member. It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus as above wherein the controlling means also strips the sheet from the stop member. It is a still further object of this invention to provide a reproducing apparatus employing the registration apparatus as above. These and other objects will become apparent from the following description and drawings.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1560570 | Hammersmith | Nov 1925 | |
| 2246508 | Davidson | Jun 1941 | |
| 3963339 | Taylor et al. | Jun 1976 |
