Abstract: A device includes first and second elements. The first element includes a cross-linked thermoplastic. The second element is configured to engage and to strain the first element by a predetermined amount. The first and second elements are configured to move relative to each other and such that movement of the first and second elements produces a substantially repeatable shearing force between the first and second elements.

Abstract: One aspect is a detent device with a first hub having an axis and comprising a first feature having both a radial and an axial dimension relative to the hub axis, and having a first hub connection portion. A second hub is located co-axially outside the first hub and comprises a second feature having both a radial and an axial dimension relative to the hub axis, the second feature of the second hub touching the first feature of the first hub when the features are aligned. The second hub has a second hub connection portion. The first and second features have complementary mating geometries. The detent device is configured such that when relative movement is provided to the first and second hub connection portions, a circumferential strain energy of the second hub changes, providing a variable force between the two connection portions depending on their relative position.

Abstract: A positioning device includes first, second and third elements. The first element includes a cross-linked thermoplastic and the second element is non-circular and configured adjacent a first side of the first element, and configured for relative rotation with the first element about an axis. The third element is configured adjacent a second side of the first element. The first, second and third elements are configured such that a first compressive strain amount is induced on the first element while there is no relative rotation between the first and second elements and a second compressive strain amount is induced on the first element while there is relative rotation between the first element and the second element. The second compressive strain amount is at least 3 times higher than the first compressive strain amount.

Abstract: A positioning device includes first, second and third elements. The first element includes a cross-linked thermoplastic and the second element is non-circular and configured adjacent a first side of the first element, and configured for relative rotation with the first element about an axis. The third element is configured adjacent a second side of the first element. The first, second and third elements are configured such that a first compressive strain amount is induced on the first element while there is no relative rotation between the first and second elements and a second compressive strain amount is induced on the first element while there is relative rotation between the first element and the second element. The second compressive strain amount is at least 3 times higher than the first compressive strain amount.

Abstract: A device includes first and second elements. The first element includes a cross-linked thermoplastic. The second element is configured to engage and to strain the first element by a predetermined amount. The first and second elements are configured to move relative to each other and such that movement of the first and second elements produces a substantially repeatable shearing force between the first and second elements.

Abstract: A brake mechanism includes an input, a chassis, a lock and a release mechanism. The input is an axially extending input having first and second ends. The chassis interfaces with the input such that the input is movable relative to the chassis. The lock is coupled to the chassis for constraining movement of the input relative to the lock. The release mechanism is coupled to the lock and is responsive to a force applied relative to the input and the chassis such that when the force is greater than a release force level the release mechanism allows the lock to disengage the input and such that when the force is less than the release force level the release mechanism does not allow the lock to disengage the input.

Abstract: A brake mechanism includes an input, a chassis, a lock and a release mechanism. The input is an axially extending input having first and second ends. The chassis interfaces with the input such that the input is movable relative to the chassis. The lock is coupled to the chassis for constraining movement of the input relative to the lock. The release mechanism is coupled to the lock and is responsive to a force applied relative to the input and the chassis such that when the force is greater than a release force level the release mechanism allows the lock to disengage the input and such that when the force is less than the release force level the release mechanism does not allow the lock to disengage the input.

Abstract: A brake mechanism includes an input, a chassis, a lock and a release mechanism. The input is an axially extending input having first and second ends. The chassis interfaces with the input such that the input is movable relative to the chassis. The lock is coupled to the chassis for constraining movement of the input relative to the lock. The release mechanism is coupled to the lock and is responsive to a force applied relative to the input and the chassis such that when the force is greater than a release force level the release mechanism allows the lock to disengage the input and such that when the force is less than the release force level the release mechanism does not allow the lock to disengage the input.

Abstract: A method and solenoid assembly for extending the wear life of the solenoid. These include: enabling rotation of the solenoid plunger within the solenoid housing to expose a new solenoid plunger surface when solenoid plunger surface reaches a failure mode; reducing and/or eliminating side load on the solenoid; reducing the clearance or tolerance between the solenoid housing and the solenoid plunger to reduce solenoid wear; and a stop feature improvement with less stress concentration.

Abstract: A retard sheet feeder that utilizes a slip clutch with an integral biasing device to separate double fed sheets. A retard roll is provided in circumferential contact with a feed roll to form a drive nip. The retard roll is free to rotate in the feeding direction by the use of a spring that is axially aligned with the roll and allows the roll to slip in the feed direction once a predetermined torque level is reached. The spring may be either internal to the roll or external to the roll. When the drive torque to the retard roll is reduced such as when a double sheet is in the drive nip, the torque is not sufficient to overcome the stored spring energy and the roll is rotated in a reverse direction by the spring to drive the double sheet out of the nip.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated spring clutch permits transference of rotational motion from an input hub to a coaxially-disposed rotatable shaft. A selectively actuable source of magnetic flux, such as an electromagnetic coil, is disposed around at least a portion of the shaft with a space therebetween. A housing, at least a portion of which is conductive of magnetic flux, substantially envelops the outer surface of the source. A shaft flange, also conductive of magnetic flux, is disposed around a portion of the shaft. A helical spring, having a first end attached to the input hub and a free end disposed adjacent the shaft flange, is loosely engageably coiled around the shaft, in the space between the shaft and the source. magnetic flux flowing through the shaft flange attracts the free end of the helical spring and thereby causes the helical spring to contact about and engage the shaft.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wrap spring clutch is disclosed as having the clutch energizing electromagnetic coil of a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the wrap spring clutching coil and located at least partially therein. In this arrangement, the spring coil takes on a relatively large size for more added clutching action relative to the size of the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A sheet curling/decurling mechanism for decurling copy sheets exiting the fuser apparatus of a copier is disclosed as having a compliant belt of pliable material, a curling roller forming a penetration nip with the compliant belt, the penetration nip being adapted to curl sheets to such an amount as to over curl a sheet leaving the fuser appartus. A decision gate is arranged and shaped to direct the sheet into one of two paths depending upon the degree of over curl. In one path, when slight curl is experienced, a curling device is arranged to compensate for the slight curl. In the other path, when a high degree of curl is present, a curling device is positioned to effect a high degree of reverse curl.

Abstract: A printing machine includes at least two grounded carbon fiber brush static eliminators mounted in a molded plastic baffle assembly that optimizes discharge characteristics. The eliminators are mounted such that one brush contacts sheets moving through the machine while the other brush remains out of contact with the sheets in order to minimize fluctuations in static reduction over machine life.