Abstract: A media picking mechanism includes a pair of transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions. A housing is mounted around the pair of transmission shafts such that the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are positioned substantially equidistant from a centerline of the housing. During a media picking operation, the rotation of the first transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a first moment to the housing and rotation of a second transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a second moment to the housing, which is equal and opposite to the first moment such that a net moment on the housing is near zero minimizing twisting of the housing. The two transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions, also results in substantially equal normal force to be applied by the first and second pick tires on the media.

Abstract: A method for aligning a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus includes aligning the media sheet against a first reference edge of an input tray. The media sheet may then move through an alignment nip which is constructed to laterally move the media sheet against a reference edge. The media sheet moves along the reference edge and becomes aligned prior to moving to a transport belt. The media sheet may then move through one or more transfer nips to receive one or more images.

Abstract: A laser scan unit for an imaging apparatus, including an optical paths having a plurality of optical components for directing and focusing a light beam. A component mounting mechanism is employed having a first member which is substantially fixed and resistant to movement, and a second member having an end portion which flexibly moves in response to forces acting thereon that are generated by changes in temperature due to differences in thermal expansion between the component and the first and second members.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for moving media sheets within an image forming device. One embodiment includes a registration mechanism located along the media path. The mechanism may include a series of discrete registration nips that each includes a pair of drive rolls and idler roll. The nips are spaced at intervals across the media path. Guide ribs are arranged across the media path and may be positioned between the nips. The guide ribs further guide the media sheets through the registration mechanism and along the media path.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining the presence of a module and presence of a media sheet in a media path using output signals from a single sensor in an image forming device. One embodiment includes a sensor which may be oriented in a variety of positions through interaction with the module and the media sheet. An algorithm may be used to determine the presence of the module in a module insertion path and presence of the media sheet in the media path based on the position of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for aligning a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus includes aligning the media sheet against a first reference edge of an input tray. The media sheet may then move through an alignment nip which is constructed to laterally move the media sheet against a reference edge. The media sheet moves along the reference edge and becomes aligned prior to moving to a transport belt. The media sheet may then move through one or more transfer nips to receive one or more images.

Abstract: A media tray includes a housing and a media restraint assembly mounted in the housing having a position selection mechanism for placing respective floor portions of the housing in a selected one position of a multiplicity of closely spaced apart positions. The position selection mechanism includes an actuator adapted for undergoing movement relative to the floor portions along a first direction between extended and retracted positions and a position securement arrangement adapted for undergoing conversion along a second direction transverse to the first direction between engaged and disengaged conditions in response to movement of the actuator between the extended and retracted positions to correspondingly select and de-select the selected one position of the floor portions and accordingly set the floor portions at and release the floor portions from the selected one position thereof. The media restraint assembly also includes an actuation lever and a lock mechanism for the lever.

Abstract: A media picking mechanism includes a pair of transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions. A housing is mounted around the pair of transmission shafts such that the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are positioned substantially equidistant from a centerline of the housing. During a media picking operation, the rotation of the first transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a first moment to the housing and rotation of a second transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a second moment to the housing, which is equal and opposite to the first moment such that a net moment on the housing is near zero minimizing twisting of the housing. The two transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions, also results in substantially equal normal force to be applied by the first and second pick tires on the media.

Abstract: A system for aligning a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus includes an input area with an alignment edge to initially laterally align the media sheet. The media sheet may then move through an alignment nip which is constructed to laterally move the media sheet against a reference edge. The media sheet moves along the reference edge and become aligned prior to moving to a transport belt. The media sheet may then move through one or more transfer nips to receive one or more images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a printer frame, a media tray frame module disposed below the printer frame, and an anti-tip stability system including two alignment posts mounted substantially diagonally on the media tray frame module. The alignment posts have first surfaces and second surfaces where each second surface makes an acute angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees with a horizontal plane. The alignment posts provide anti-tip stability to the imaging apparatus by engaging with the printer frame when the printer frame is tilted at a first contact angle with respect to the alignment posts due to the application of an external force. The alignment posts also facilitate relatively easy separation of the printer frame from the media tray frame module.

Abstract: A method for dynamically lifting an elevator includes picking a sheet from a stack to feed to a media process where the stack is on a platform that can be lifted by an elevator, performing the media process, sensing a top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack at a media home position, sensing the top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack on the platform, sensing the platform to detect its presence or absence at a maximum elevator level, and indexing the stack at least once by lifting the platform through a given distance, during the media process and not during picking a sheet, unless presence of the top of the stack at the media home position is sensed or absence of media sheets on the elevator platform is sensed or presence of the elevator platform at the maximum elevator level is sensed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and devices for aligning media sheets in an input tray of an image forming device. The input tray includes a support surface and at least two spaced apart side walls. A first side wall includes a reference surface to align the media sheets. A second side wall includes a plurality of biasing members. The biasing members bias the media sheets toward the reference surface.

Abstract: A media restraint device in an input tray of an imaging apparatus includes a movable partition including a primary section and a secondary section. At least one locking mechanism selectively locks the primary section to the input tray, and the secondary section to the primary section. The locking mechanism unlocks either the primary section or the secondary section when the other is at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A media handling system for an image forming machine includes a stationary frame, a platform supporting a stack of media sheets thereon, a bin supporting the platform and in turn supported on the stationary frame for undergoing movement relative thereto between a first position in which the bin locates the platform below and aligned with a pick mechanism and movable relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism and a second position in which the bin displaces the platform away from and out of alignment with the pick mechanism, and a motion transmitting assembly coupled between the stationary frame, platform and bin and operable to convert movement of the bin between first and second positions relative to the stationary frame into movement of the platform relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism.

Abstract: A media handling system includes a platform, a bin supporting the platform below and for undergoing movement toward and away from a sheet feeding position, a first motion transmitting assembly coupled between the platform and bin and tailored to counterbalance the weight of the platform and any stack such that as the weight decreases the platform is lifted toward the sheet feeding position to maintain the stack top below a lower limit position thereof, a control mechanism to sense the position of the stack top relative to a given range between the lower limit position to an upper home position, and a second motion transmitting assembly drivingly coupled to the platform via the first motion transmitting assembly and responsive to the control mechanism sensing to cause the first motion transmitting assembly to further lift the platform to and maintain the stack top position within the given range.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and devices for a locking mechanism to connect input components for use within an image forming device. Two or more input components are placed in a stacked arrangement. The locking mechanism of a first input component engages the locking mechanism of a second input component to connect the input components. The locking mechanism may be activated automatically when the input units are stacked.

Abstract: A print media feeder apparatus suitable for use in an image-forming device is provided. The apparatus comprises an elevator tray holding a stack of print media connected to a housing by a transmission system. The housing comprises a hoist drum that is connected to one end of a shaft for connecting the housing to the transmission system. A spring enclosure encasing a spring is fixed on the other end of the shaft. The load of print media is transmitted to the hoist drum, from which it is further transmitted to the spring through the shaft. This results in the displacement of the spring and a corresponding vertical movement of the elevator tray to position the print media at the desired feeding level.

Abstract: A media handling system includes a platform, a bin supporting the platform below and for undergoing movement toward and away from a sheet feeding position, a first motion transmitting assembly coupled between the platform and bin and tailored to counterbalance the weight of the platform and any stack such that as the weight decreases the platform is lifted toward the sheet feeding position to maintain the stack top below a lower limit position thereof, a control mechanism to sense the position of the stack top relative to a given range between the lower limit position to an upper home position, and a second motion transmitting assembly drivingly coupled to the platform via the first motion transmitting assembly and responsive to the control mechanism sensing to cause the first motion transmitting assembly to further lift the platform to and maintain the stack top position within the given range.

Abstract: A media handling system for an image forming machine includes a stationary frame, a platform supporting a stack of media sheets thereon, a bin supporting the platform and in turn supported on the stationary frame for undergoing movement relative thereto between a first position in which the bin locates the platform below and aligned with a pick mechanism and movable relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism and a second position in which the bin displaces the platform away from and out of alignment with the pick mechanism, and a motion transmitting assembly coupled between the stationary frame, platform and bin and operable to convert movement of the bin between first and second positions relative to the stationary frame into movement of the platform relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism.

Abstract: A print media feeder apparatus suitable for use in an image-forming device is provided. The apparatus comprises an elevator tray holding a stack of print media connected to a housing by a transmission system. The housing comprises a hoist drum that is connected to one end of a shaft for connecting the housing to the transmission system. A spring enclosure encasing a spring is fixed on the other end of the shaft. The load of print media is transmitted to the hoist drum, from which it is further transmitted to the spring through the shaft. This results in the displacement of the spring and a corresponding vertical movement of the elevator tray to position the print media at the desired feeding level.