Patents by Inventor Stacey Vaughan Mitchell
Stacey Vaughan Mitchell 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).
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Patent number: 10625962Abstract: Separation strips in a dam aid in the separation of adjacent sheets of media being fed from a stack of sheets so that only one sheet is fed to a process station and, more particularly, to separating the uppermost or top sheet of a stack of sheets from the next adjacent sheet during feeding of the top sheet from the stack of sheets of media. When a lift plate is present that adjusts the height of the media stack, rotation of the separation strips to maintain a constant separation angle improves media feed reliability. Curvature of the separation strips may also maintain the separation angle as the lift plate raises the position of the top media sheet.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Angel Macuha Alagos, Edmund Hulin James, III, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Chad Michael Piening, Louann Behymer Samuels, Curtis Duane Woodson
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Publication number: 20200024091Abstract: Separation strips in a dam aid in the separation of adjacent sheets of media being fed from a stack of sheets so that only one sheet is fed to a process station and, more particularly, to separating the uppermost or top sheet of a stack of sheets from the next adjacent sheet during feeding of the top sheet from the stack of sheets of media. When a lift plate is present that adjusts the height of the media stack, rotation of the separation strips to maintain a constant separation angle improves media feed reliability. Curvature of the separation strips may also maintain the separation angle as the lift plate raises the position of the top media sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Angel Macuha Alagos, Edmund Hulin James, III, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Chad Michael Piening, Louann Behymer Samuels, Curtis Duane Woodson
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Patent number: 9988224Abstract: A removable media tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a front wall extending upward from the bottom surface. A bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. A magnet and a plate provide a latching force FL greater than a pick motor stall force keeping the media tray in a closed position during media picking. A handle assembly including a finger bar and a pivoting link is mounted to the front wall. With the media tray being held closed by the latching force, a user-supplied actuation force FA that is less than 22.2 N applied to the finger bar, pivots the link which acts as a force multiplier providing a release force exceeding the latching force.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael William Lawrence, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Neal Douglas McFarland, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Angel Macuha Alagos, Douglas Andagan Baena, Jr., Pat Marlon Cartagena Limosnero
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Publication number: 20170267470Abstract: A removable media tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a front wall extending upward from the bottom surface. A bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. A magnet and a plate provide a latching force FL greater than a pick motor stall force keeping the media tray in a closed position during media picking. A handle assembly including a finger bar and a pivoting link is mounted to the front wall. With the media tray being held closed by the latching force, a user-supplied actuation force FA that is less than 22.2 N applied to the finger bar, pivots the link which acts as a force multiplier providing a release force exceeding the latching force.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: MICHAEL WILLIAM LAWRENCE, DUSTIN DANIEL FICHTER, NEAL DOUGLAS MCFARLAND, STACEY VAUGHAN MITCHELL, ANGEL MACUHA ALAGOS, DOUGLAS ANDAGAN BAENA, JR., PAT MARLON CARTAGENA LIMOSNERO
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Publication number: 20170247210Abstract: A removable media tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a front wall extending upward from the bottom surface. A bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. A magnet and a plate provide a latching force FL greater than a pick motor stall force keeping the media tray in a closed position during media picking. A handle assembly including a finger bar and a pivoting link is mounted to the front wall. With the media tray being held closed by the latching force, a user-supplied actuation force FA that is less than 22.2 N applied to the finger bar, pivots the link which acts as a force multiplier providing a release force exceeding the latching force.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: MICHAEL WILLIAM LAWRENCE, DUSTIN DANIEL FICHTER, NEAL DOUGLAS MCFARLAND, STACEY VAUGHAN MITCHELL, ANGEL MACUHA ALAGOS, DOUGLAS ANDAGAN BAENA, JR., PAT MARLON CARTAGENA LIMOSNERO
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Patent number: 9745154Abstract: A removable media tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a front wall extending upward from the bottom surface. A bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. A magnet and a plate provide a latching force FL greater than a pick motor stall force keeping the media tray in a closed position during media picking. A handle assembly including a finger bar and a pivoting link is mounted to the front wall. With the media tray being held closed by the latching force, a user-supplied actuation force FA that is less than 22.2 N applied to the finger bar, pivots the link which acts as a force multiplier providing a release force exceeding the latching force.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.Inventors: Michael William Lawrence, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Neal Douglas McFarland, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Angel Macuha Alagos, Douglas Andagan Baena, Jr., Pat Marlon Cartagena Limosnero
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Patent number: 9663312Abstract: A media restraint for a removable media tray and slidably operable without the use of a pinching force. The media restraint slidably positionable on a track in a removable media tray and is operable without pinching. A latching plunger in the media restraint is biased into engagement with a track provided in the removable media tray and is moved by a rack and pinion mechanism to a released position allowing the media restraint to be moved along the track. The media restraint is operable by a finger of the user applying a downward force to the media restraint to release the plunger from the track and allowing the media restraint to be moved along the track. Upon removal of the downward force, a biasing member reengages the plunger with the track.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Neal Douglas McFarland, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell
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Patent number: 9604802Abstract: A media restraint for a removable media tray and slidably operable without the use of a pinching force. The media restraint slidably positionable on a track in a removable media tray and is operable without pinching. A pair of latching cams are used to engage the media restraint to the track and have serrated portions pivotally mounted to a bottom of the media restraint. The media restraint is operable by a finger of the user applying a downward force to the media restraint allowing a rack and pinion to horizontally translate a rack portion of the pair of latching cams away from the track and pivot the serrated portions away from the track and allowing the media restraint to be moved along the track. Upon removal of the downward force, a biasing member translates the latching cams back to reengage with the track.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Neal Douglas McFarland, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Edward Joseph Walden
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Patent number: 9580258Abstract: A media restraint for a removable media tray and slidably operable without the use of a pinching force. The media restraint slidably positionable on a track in a removable media tray and is operable without pinching. A pair of pivoting latching cams are used to engage the media restraint to the track and have serrated portions pivotally mounted to a bottom of the media restraint. The media restraint is operable by a finger of the user applying a downward force to an actuator that spreads two cam plates apart which in turn pivot the pair of latching cams to release the media restraint from the track and allowing it to be moved along the track. Upon removal of the downward force, a biasing member lifts the actuator to bring the two cam plates back to their first positions thereby pivoting the pair of latching cams back to reengage with the track.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Neal Douglas McFarland, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Hannibal Bartolata Aljecera, Winston Bercades Gomez, Pat Marlon Cartagena Limosnero, Lowell Libo-On Tacadao
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Patent number: 9533842Abstract: An imaging device having a sheet restraint sensing system is disclosed. The system includes a frame having an opening, a linear sensor strip located on the frame having a length, and a media tray having a sheet restraint that presses against the linear sensor strip when the media tray is located in the opening. The sheet restraint is constrained by the media tray to move relative to the media tray no more than a maximum adjustment displacement. The maximum adjustment displacement is less than the length of the linear sensor strip. Other systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Genri Solano Belarmino, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Neal Douglas McFarland, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell
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Patent number: 8371572Abstract: A detachable reversible pick mechanism for a media input tray.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
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Patent number: 8235376Abstract: A removable input tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a wall extending upward from the bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly further includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. An inclined media dam is formed in the wall and has a media contact surface for directing media advanced from the media storage location. A channel is provided in the wall and extends the height of the wall for directing media passing therethrough. A roller nip is formed in the channel within the media tray by a pair of rollers for advancing media through the channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Daniel Lee Thomas, Edward Lynn Triplett
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Publication number: 20120103118Abstract: A detachable reversible pick mechanism for a media input tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Dustin Daniel Fichter, Derek Masami Inouye, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Michael James Shanor, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Edward Lynn Triplett
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Publication number: 20120104682Abstract: A removable input tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a wall extending upward from the bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly further includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. An inclined media dam is formed in the wall and has a media contact surface for directing media advanced from the media storage location. A channel is provided in the wall and extends the height of the wall for directing media passing therethrough. A roller nip is formed in the channel within the media tray by a pair of rollers for advancing media through the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Daniel Lee Thomas, Edward Lynn Triplett
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Patent number: 8020850Abstract: A removable input tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface defining a media storage location, a wall extending upward from the bottom surface and a housing having an opening therein to receive the tray. An inclined media dam having a media contact surface is formed in the wall. A channel extends the height of the wall and has a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom opening and a top opening. A separator roller is rotatably mounted below the media contact surface and has a first portion of its surface radially extending through a corresponding aperture in the media dam and a second portion radially extending through a corresponding aperture in the rear wall of the channel. A roller nip is formed in the channel within the media tray by the separator roller and an opposing backup roller.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Allen Blair, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Edward Lynn Triplett
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Patent number: 6550758Abstract: Sheets (57) exit printer (1) into finisher (3) where they are moved against perpendicular reference walls (61, 69) by frictional fingers (21, 23). The fingers are rotated away while a sheet is moved downward. Since the fingers are near their reference surface, buckling of the sheets normally does not occur, so the sheet stays in place. In an embodiment, the fingers move with a resilient force selected to be low enough so that the fingers stop when the sheet contacts the reference wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Ardery, Michael Kurt Gordon, David Emerson Greer, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Daniel Joseph Westhoff
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Publication number: 20020101029Abstract: Sheets (57) exit printer (1) into finisher (3) where they are moved against perpendicular reference walls (61, 69) by frictional fingers (21, 23). The fingers are rotated away while a sheet is moved downward. Since the fingers are near their reference surface, buckling of the sheets normally does not occur, so the sheet stays in place. In an embodiment, the fingers move with a resilient force selected to be low enough so that the fingers stop when the sheet contacts the reference wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Ardery, Michael Kurt Gordon, David Emerson Greer, Stacey Vaughan Mitchell, Daniel Joseph Westhoff