Patents by Inventor Tom Ruhe

Tom Ruhe 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: 8582125
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure comprises a pliable sheet and first and second stationary supports extending along and supporting the sheet. The supports are oriented relative to one another such that a distance between the supports at one part of the sheet is greater than a distance between the supports at another part of the sheet. In another embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a media sheet separator downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the separator. The separator is configured to separate a top sheet on the stack from a next-to-top sheet in the stack by resisting the movement of sheets along the media path and the degree of resistance varies along the length of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo
  • Patent number: 7455288
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a movable feature downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the movable feature. The feature is configured to separate a top sheet on a stack of sheets supported on the supporting surface from a next-to-top sheet in the stack. The feature movable between a first position in which the feature impedes a leading edge of sheets fed from the stack along the media path to separate a top sheet from a next-to-top sheet and a second position in which the feature does not impede the leading edge of sheets fed along the media path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo, Kelly A. Brock
  • Patent number: 7004460
    Abstract: The illustrated embodiment comprises a media bias assembly for use in a hardcopy device. A driven pick roll delivers media from a stack of media to a media feed path in the hardcopy device. Media is contained in an input tray and the pick roll is mounted on one side of the centerline through the tray. A passive media bias arm having a media contacting surface on one end is configured for making contact with media contained in the input tray and is spaced apart from the pick roll on the opposite side of the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Ray Sherman
  • Publication number: 20050018215
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure comprises a pliable sheet and first and second stationary supports extending along and supporting the sheet. The supports are oriented relative to one another such that a distance between the supports at one part of the sheet is greater than a distance between the supports at another part of the sheet. In another embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a media sheet separator downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the separator. The separator is configured to separate a top sheet on the stack from a next-to-top sheet in the stack by resisting the movement of sheets along the media path and the degree of resistance varies along the length of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo
  • Publication number: 20040251592
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure for a printer or other sheet media processing device comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a moveable face positioned downstream along a media path from the supporting surface. The face is moveable between a first position in which the face protrudes into the media path to block a leading edge of media sheets supported on the supporting surface and a second position in which the face does not protrude into the media path and media sheets are free to move from the supporting surface along the media path past the face. In one embodiment, the face pivots between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the face rotates in a plane between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo, Scott Smith, Gary Miller
  • Publication number: 20040251602
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sheet media input structure comprises a sheet media supporting surface and a movable feature downstream from the supporting surface along a media path that extends from the supporting surface to and along the movable feature. The feature is configured to separate a top sheet on a stack of sheets supported on the supporting surface from a next-to-top sheet in the stack. The feature movable between a first position in which the feature impedes a leading edge of sheets fed from the stack along the media path to separate a top sheet from a next-to-top sheet and a second position in which the feature does not impede the leading edge of sheets fed along the media path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Jiangxiao Mo, Kelly A. Brock
  • Publication number: 20040212140
    Abstract: The illustrated embodiment comprises a media bias assembly for use in a hardcopy device. A driven pick roll delivers media from a stack of media to a media feed path in the hardcopy device. Media is contained in an input tray and the pick roll is mounted on one side of the centerline through the tray. A passive media bias arm having a media contacting surface on one end is configured for making contact with media contained in the input tray and is spaced apart from the pick roll on the opposite side of the centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Tom Ruhe, Ray Sherman