Abstract: A reprographic apparatus, such as, a copier or printer is controlled by a controller including a microprocessor and a memory, the apparatus including one or more sheet trays for supplying sheets which will receive images in use of the apparatus. One or more operating parameters of the apparatus, such as the timing of sheet feeding devices, or fuser temperature, are selectively variable in accordance with differing characteristics of sheets to be used. A set of values of the operating parameters are held in the memory for each kind of sheet, and the appropriate operating parameters are set to the values derived from the memory for a given sheet type. The sheet type, and hence the operating parameters, may be set by a local or remote user of the apparatus. Alternatively, the apparatus may include means associated with at least one of the trays for recognizing sheet characteristics and setting the operating parameters accordingly.

Abstract: A cut sheet registration device comprises at least two idler rolls biassed into contact with an intermittently-driven feed roll, the idler rolls being pivoted on a bar which is itself pivotable with respect to the axis of the feed roll, so as to adjust the angle which the contact joints of the idler rolls make with the feed roll. The angle of the bar is adjustable at the factory to allow for any misalignment etc. in the downstream sheet-using devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet feed apparatus which is particularly, although not exclusively, useful in a xerographic copying machine. The apparatus includes a roller assembly including first and second rollers, the first roller being arranged to engage the top sheet in a stack of sheets and advance the sheet to a nip defined between the second roller and a retard member. The roller assembly is attachable to a support such as a feedhead cover, by means of a snap-in connection whereby, when assembled to the support way, the second roller is operably coupled to a drive gear. In order to facilitate connections between a drive shaft through the second roller and the drive gear, the drive shaft is biassed towards the drive means by a compression spring, and is mounted for movement along the axis of the second roller against the bias of the compression spring.

Abstract: An automatic or semi-automatic document feeder (12) for conveying documents sheets (17) into and away from an imaging position (18) on a platen (14) of a copier, incorporating a plurality of spaced-apart belts (30) moving between a white backing surface (26) and the platen. A vacuum source applies a partial vacuum to the inter-belt gaps (32) to hold a document sheet against the belts so that the document is conveyed with the movement of the belts. A major portion of the backing surface (26) lies in a datum plane. Discrete protrusions (56) which extend above the datum plane are formed integrally on the backing surface in pairs or rows, against which the belts ride to hold the belts in spaced relation to the datum plane. The spaces (57) between the protrusions provide openings so that a partial vacuum applied beneath the belts may extend into the inter-belt gaps.