Patents by Inventor Larry W. Acton

Larry W. Acton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Exit shaft dampening device to improve print quality
    Patent number: 8210516
    Abstract: The present invention includes a damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device having a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors, Walter K. Cousins, Stephen E. Stewart
  • Exit Shaft Dampening Device to Improve Print Quality
    Publication number: 20110298177
    Abstract: The present invention includes a damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device having a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors, Walter K. Cousins, Stephen E. Stewart
  • Exit shaft damping device to improve print quality
    Patent number: 8011658
    Abstract: A damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device includes a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors, Walter K. Cousins, Stephen E. Stewart
  • Exit shaft dampening device to improve print quality
    Patent number: 7712740
    Abstract: The present invention includes a damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device having a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors, Walter K. Cousins, Stephen E. Stewart
  • Exit Shaft Dampening Device to Improve Print Quality
    Publication number: 20090174137
    Abstract: The present invention includes a damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device having a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors, Walter K. Cousins, Stephen E. Stewart
  • Dual tray selectable sheet picking assembly
    Patent number: 7198263
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printhead carrier system including a printhead carrier configured for movement along a scan path, a first sheet picking mechanism, a second sheet picking mechanism, and a selector device. The selector device is configured to select one of the first sheet picking mechanism and the second sheet picking mechanism for picking a sheet of print media based on a position of the printhead carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Acton
  • Imaging apparatus including a print media feed system configured for reducing printing defects
    Patent number: 6854726
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a motor including a motor shaft to which a pinion gear is attached, and a feed roller including a shaft. The feed roller is positioned upstream from the print zone in relation to the sheet feed direction. A primary gear train includes a first gear in mesh with the pinion gear and a second gear rigidly mounted to the shaft of the feed roller. A spring coupling has a first end connected to the second gear of the primary gear train. A secondary gear train includes a third gear in mesh with the pinion gear and a fourth gear rotatably mounted to the shaft of the feed roller for free rotation with respect to the shaft, the second end of the spring coupling being connected to the fourth gear of the secondary gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors
  • Imaging apparatus including a print media feed system configured for reducing printing defects
    Publication number: 20040108646
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a motor including a motor shaft to which a pinion gear is attached, and a feed roller including a shaft. The feed roller is positioned upstream from the print zone in relation to the sheet feed direction. A primary gear train includes a first gear in mesh with the pinion gear and a second gear rigidly mounted to the shaft of the feed roller. A spring coupling has a first end connected to the second gear of the primary gear train. A secondary gear train includes a third gear in mesh with the pinion gear and a fourth gear rotatably mounted to the shaft of the feed roller for free rotation with respect to the shaft, the second end of the spring coupling being connected to the fourth gear of the secondary gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Larry W. Acton, William M. Connors