Abstract: A document is cupped at a first time to stiffen and straighten the document before the document is stacked in the interior chamber of a document stacker. The cupped document is cupped at a second time which is different from the first time to maintain the document stiff and straight as the document is being stacked in the interior chamber of the document stacker so as to reduce the chance of a stacking defect from occurring when a succeeding document is subsequently stacked on top of the document. A trailing edge of the document is engaged to urge the trailing edge of the document in a direction away from direction of movement of the document into the interior chamber of the document stacker so as to prevent a succeeding document which is to be subsequently stack on top of the document from stacking out of sequence relative to the document.

Abstract: A check processing module includes a hardware device disposed along a document track. The hardware device processes document items moving from an upstream end of the document track to a downstream end of the document track. A number of outer panels covers the hardware device during operation of the check processing module. At least one idler roller engages a document item in the document track when the idler roller is in a non-retracted position. An actuatable mechanism is provided for, when actuated, moving the idler roller from the non-retracted position to a retracted position away from a document item in the document track to allow an operator to more easily gain access to the document track while the outer panels remain covering the hardware device positioned along the document track.

Abstract: A check processing module includes a hardware device disposed along a document track. The hardware device processes document items moving from an upstream end of the document track to a downstream end of the document track. A number of outer panels covers the hardware device during operation of the check processing module. At least one idler roller engages a document item in the document track when the idler roller is in a non-retracted position. An actuatable mechanism is provided for, when actuated, moving the idler roller from the non-retracted position to a retracted position away from a document item in the document track to allow an operator to more easily gain access to the document track while the outer panels remain covering the hardware device positioned along the document track.

Abstract: A mounting member or connecting device is used to connect a first member to a second member. The connecting device includes a male member and a female member which are coupled together through an opening in the first member. The first member may be a divider panel and the second member may be a cover panel, for example, with the second member having first and second parallel fingers thereon. A tolerance ring, formed in the shape of a band which is less than a complete circle. is mounted on a cylindrical section of the male and female members. The tolerance ring has corrugations thereon which are crushed to some degree when the first and second fingers are pushed on to the associated cylindrical section with the tolerance ring thereon. This connection provides a vibration free connection and also eliminates ESD problems between the connected members.

Abstract: A self-aligning inking roll for a printer which includes an inking roll, an ink transfer roll, a printer, and an endless ribbon mounted on the transfer roll and the printer so as to provide a fresh supply of ink thereto. The inking roll is mounted on an aligner member which is mounted on a support member, with the support member being mounted on an arm which is resiliently biased towards the transfer roll. The aligner member is mounted on the support member at the midpoint of the aligner member so as to provide a fulcrum area which enables the aligner member with the inking roll thereon to pivot and thereby establish a line contact with the transfer roll with the ribbon thereon.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a retard mechanism to prevent the inadvertent feeding of doubled or overlapped sheets. The retard mechanism includes a plurality of belts in an assembly positioned adjacent to a sheet feeding roller, and rotating in such a direction as to retard the sheets being fed. The retard assembly is mounted on the free end of a lever arm pivotally secured adjacent to its other end to the base of the sheet feeding apparatus. The lever arm with the retard assembly mounted thereon is spring-urged toward the feed roller, but may be moved slightly away from said roller to accommodate the thickness of the sheet being fed between the feed roller and the retard assembly. A dual spring arrangement contained in the lever arm permits the lever arm to move with relatively little force to accommodate passage of a single sheet, but to resist more vigorously any additional movement, such as would be required for the passage of double or overlapped sheets.