Patents by Inventor Robert D. Leroy

Robert D. Leroy 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).

  • Patent number: 5126798
    Abstract: In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus wherein a latent image charge pattern is formed on a moving dielectric member web and developed with pigmented marking particles to form a transferable developed image on the dielectric member web, an improved cleaning assembly for removing residual marking particles and debris from the dielectric member web. The improved cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning brush supported in a housing. The housing is located to position the peripheral surface of the cleaning brush in cleaning engagement with the dielectric member web, and a vacuum is established within the housing. A relatively stiff cleaning blade is supported in engagement with the dielectric member web at a predetermined positional orientation under a sufficient loading so as to cause the dielectric member web to be substantially deflected by the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert D. LeRoy, Wayne W. Forrest, Richard G. Luther
  • Patent number: 5116036
    Abstract: A device for facilitating stacking of sheets in a hopper of a sheet transporting apparatus in which sheets are directed seriatim onto a stack of sheets in the hopper and subsequently fed seriatim from the stack of sheets in the hopper. The facilitating device comprises at least one elongated member supported at one end thereof for substantially free pivotable movement in a vertical plane under the influence of gravity. The support for the elongated member is located to particularly position the elongated member whereby a sheet directed onto the stack in the hopper will strike the elongated member. The elongated member absorbs kinetic energy of the directed sheet to stop such sheet movement and pivot the elongated member in a first direction about the support and, when the elongated member pivots in the direction opposite the first direction under the influence of gravity, the elongated member strikes the sheet to urge the sheet into accurate operative engagement with the sheet feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert D. LeRoy, Raymond M. Quackenbush
  • Patent number: 5082272
    Abstract: A high-speed sheet inverter mechanism includes a sheet confinement chamber suitable for confining a first sheet and a second sheet at the same time, and three roll assemblies for feeding sheets into, and discharging sheets from, the chamber. The sheet inverter device further includes a simultaneous sheet handling approach angle of about 48.degree. at which a sheet entering the mechanism contacts a sheet exiting the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jean Xydias, Gerald M. Hitchcock, Robert D. LeRoy, James M. Montgomery, Curtis L. Vernon
  • Patent number: 4861015
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving sheets traveling seriatem along a path, and accumulating such sheets in a stack justified along one marginal edge thereof. The apparatus includes a tray into which sheets are directed, one after another, from the sheet travel path for accumulating such sheets into a stack on the tray. A striker plate is associated with one marginal edge of the tray. The accumulated sheets are continuously urged into engagement with the striker plate to justify one margin of the accumulated sheet stack. The mechanism for urging the sheets into engagement with the striker plate is supported relative to the striker plate on the opposite side from the sheet travel path and extending over the tray, and under the influence of gravitational forces follows the level of the topmost sheet in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Floyd E. Stearns, Jeffery A. Pitas, Robert D. LeRoy, Roger E. Ditzel
  • Patent number: 4579449
    Abstract: A supply hopper for continuous forms, such supply hopper being collapsable to a compact storage position, and which, in its operative continuous forms stacking position, prevents double feeds. The supply hopper comprises a support for a stack of continuous forms. A side member is pivotally connected to the support for movement to a storage position overlying the support and an operative position relative (substantially perpendicular) to the support. A continuous forms guide is operatively coupled to the side member and cooperates therewith, so that when the side member is in its operative position the guide prevents double feed of such continuous forms, and when the side member is in its storage position forms a flat surface with the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Leroy