Abstract: A document hopper having a platform which can be lowered and elevated. The platform is operably connected to a rotatable leadscrew through a shoe engaging the threads of the leadscrew. The leadscrew is held against rotation by a pawl engaging a detent about one end of the leadscrew. When so held, the platform is maintained at a determined height. When the pawl is withdrawn from the detent, the weight of the platform against the shoe is sufficient to cause rotation of the leadscrew. Upon rotation of the leadscrew, the platform is lowered. When lowered a desired extent, the pawl is permitted to reengage the detent. Elevation of the platform is manual with the leadscrew rotating and the pawl ratcheting over the detent.

Abstract: Disclosed is document feed apparatus including a cooperating roller assembly for separating and feeding individual documents from a stack to utilization apparatus, the roller assembly including rotatably powered separator, restraint, and picker rollers, the picker roller being mounted to pivot out of and into engagement with the document stack. Control means responsive to each document passing through the roller assembly lifts and drops the picker roller from and into engagement with the stack, the momentum of the dropping picker roller assembly effective to switchably actuate motive means for incrementally elevating a vertically movable document support platform to continually reposition the top of the document stack in alignment with the roller assembly.