Abstract: The apparatus comprises two levers (80, 81), which are rotatable around rigid axles (86, 87). Added to this is a third rigid axle (85), which carries the one lower infeed roller (21.2). The upper infeed roller (21.1) is supported at a lever (80) and is springingly pressed against the lower infeed roller (21.2). The apparatus permits letters to be postage metered run in direction of the arrow (52) and thereby press the two infeed rollers (21.1, 21.2) apart from each other up to a maximum width D.In operation one lever (80) carries a bolt (95) at an arm (94), where the bolt (95) engages into a curved slot (98) of the other lever (81). The bolt (95) freely moves in the curved slot (98) between zero and a with of, for example, 3 mm. In case of a larger width, the bolt (95) impacts at the edge of the slot and presses the other lever (81) in direction of the dashed illustrated deflection position. Other lever (81) has a release hole (99).

Abstract: A media feed roll apparatus is provided for the transfer of articles such as envelopes, magazines and newspapers, one by one, from a stack to a transport which conveys these articles to a work station for printing or labeling. The apparatus and methodology according to the invention allow for independent adjustment of the roller nip between upper drive rollers and lower facing rollers so that an article such as an envelope can be inserted into the nip with the roller pairs providing substantially equal nip pressure on the article. Roller nip pressure is achieved through a mechanism allowing raising and lowering of the upper drive rollers, preferably by a pivotal action, which are independently suspended. Upon being released from the mechanism, the rollers are biased toward the article thereby creating substantially equal nip pressure on the article even if the nip spacing is different as a result of the article having different thicknesses.

Abstract: Sheet transport apparatus has a pair of driven transport rolls and a pair of associated idler nip rolls forming sheet transport nips therebetween and defining a sheet transport path, one of the pair of transport rolls and pair of idler rolls being fixedly supported in a sheet feed table, the other of the pair of transport rolls and pair of idler rolls being mounted on a shaft which is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the shaft and parallel to the sheet feeding path, the shaft being pivotally mounted at the midpoint between the pair of rolls in a pivot housing extending across the sheet feeding path, one end of the pivot housing fixedly engaging the sheet feed table and including a spring to bias the other end of the pivot housing toward the sheet feed table to enable the shaft to pivot about the axis to provide the same nip force between each of the driven transport roll and its associated idler nip roll.

Abstract: A driven member has flat parallel top and bottom surfaces over at least a portion of its length. A motor actuated drive roller is mounted between two parallel, spaced side plates between which the driven member reciprocates and bears against the driven member. Back-up rollers engage the drive roller to prevent the pinion from backing away from the driven member. A spring-mounted pressure roller bears against the side of the driven member directly opposite the drive roller. As the motor turns the drive roller, the latter frictionally engages the driven member and causes the latter to move linearly without the backlash characteristic of rack and pinion mechanisms.

Abstract: A paper feed mechanism comprises a feed roller rotatable in one direction at a predetermined timing, which rotates in an overrunning manner if such need arises, a separation roller disposed in contact with the feed roller, which rotates together with the feed roller when a load torque exceeds a predetermined value, and a pickup roller disposed upstream of the feed roller in the direction of rotation of the feed roller for feeding a paper sheet according to a paper feed instruction, a device for varying the pressing force of the separation roller against the feed roller, a detector provided in the vicinity of the feed roller and the separation roller for detecting the speed of the paper sheet fed by the feed roller and the separation roller; and a controller for controlling the pressing force of the separation roller according to the detection signal from the detection.

Abstract: A card reader and validator for use in wagering terminals includes a housing with a paper path. A paper drive surface of a drive wheel projects into the paper path. A platen assembly includes a pressure roller for pressing paper against the paper drive surface of the drive wheel and a platen surface for pressing paper agianst the paper path at a processing zone. The platen assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing in a manner such that it is biased toward the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in one direction and is lifted away from the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in the opposite direction. Corresponding ribs in the platen surface and paper path flatten the paper in the processing zone to facilitate the reading of optical marks on the paper by optical sensors. An ink jet printhead is provided for printing indicia on a portion of paper traveling through the paper path. A wick mounted to the platen assembly absorbs ink from the ink jet printhead during a purge cycle.

Abstract: A registration transport and transfer module is located in a retractable drawer having a camshaft actuated by a lever. Rotation of the lever turns the cam which cooperates with a mounting to enable the transfer module to be lowered beneath a photoconductive belt. The drawer may then be pulled away from the machine and the transfer module pivoted about a point so as to expose portions of the copy sheet path for jam clearance.

Abstract: A device conveys and aligns sheets on a feed table of a printing machine having a single-sheet feeder, an aligning section, and a conveying device revolving on shafts for conveying the sheets in a direction across the aligning section to feed rollers for feeding the sheets to an impression cylinder. Bearings are secured to side frames of the feed table so as to be cyclically adjustable in elevation. The shafts are rotatably mounted in the bearings and are cyclically displaceable laterally to the sheet-conveying direction. A guide device is secured in the side frames. A feed plate is carried by the guide device above the feed table and is laterally adjustable with respect to the position thereof on the guide device. The conveying device includes a revolving conveyor device disposed below the feed plate. The feed plate is formed with aligning edges disposed laterally forward of and behind the revolving conveyor device and constitutes a lateral aligning limit.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism for a plotter comprises a main drive roller, and a plurality of sub drive rollers which are serially arranged at predetermined spacings from the main drive roller. A main pinch roller is arranged in opposition to the main drive roller so as to be rotatable and movable over and axially of the main drive roller, and a sub pinch roller is arranged in opposition to the sub drive rollers so as to be rotatable and movable over and axially of the sub drive rollers. The axial length of the main drive roller is made greater than that of the main pinch roller. The side edges of a sheet are respectively held between the main drive roller and the main pinch roller and between one of the sub drive rollers and the sub pinch roller, and the main and drive rollers are synchronously rotated, thereby to feed the sheet in the lengthwise direction thereof.

Abstract: In the present invention, a drive means for use in a printer or copier is described which will transport a recording medium, such as paper, having liquid images on one surface thereof without inadvertently causing the recording liquid to be pushed from the still wet image areas into non-image areas, thereby reducing print quality. This transportation of a recording medium with wet images without degradation of print quality is accomplished by a drive means comprising a drive roller having a high friction surface which is rotatably mounted beneath and tangent to a planar path of movement for the recording medium and a toothed idler roller having spaced teeth with rounded distal ends which extend from a hub to form a nip with the drive roller through which the recording medium is transported. The teeth have a predetermined height from the hub and a predetermined spacing between teeth. The distal ends of the teeth have a surface which is of a material that is not wetted by a recording liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing letters, comprising: an elongate deck; structure for feeding respective letters in a downstream path of travel extending longitudinally along the deck, the feeding structure including a pair of axially parallel spaced rollers, the feeding structure including an endless belt looped about the rollers and disposed in engagement therewith; and structure for supporting the feeding structure, the supporting structure including a stationary frame, the supporting structure including a pair of elongate parallel-spaced support members pivotably attached to the frame and extending therefrom into overhanging relationship with the deck, and the feeding structure removably connected to the support members.

Abstract: Apparatus for singulating documents seriatim. The apparatus includes: a frame; a device for feeding documents from an upstream position to a downstream position; a separating roller rotatably mounted in the frame; a lower, take-away roller rotatably mounted in the frame situated downstream of the separating roller; and a pivotable housing pivotably mounted in the frame. The housing includes an upper, take-away roller situated above and adjacent the lower, take-away roller, and a separating stone situated above and adjacent the separating roller.

Abstract: A passbook transporting or conveying mechanism has front gripping rollers for gripping the passbook in unprinted areas thereof and for moving the passbook to a printing station. The front gripping rollers are caused to be moved along guide rods in a rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports. The passbook is received by rear gripping rollers which are caused to be moved along guide rods in a further rearward direction by driving wires or cables connected to roller supports to a predetermined position for reading a magnetic stripe on the back cover of the passbook. The magnetic stripe on the passbook is read out and the passbook is moved forward to position the passbook at the printing station for the printing operations on the desired print line or lines. After the printing operations, the passbook is again moved rearward to record the printed information in the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: The line printer is provided with a pinch roller for feeding a spring medium sheet by capstan drive. The pinch roller is pressed by an integrated pressing mechanism comprised of a spring holder, a pressing spring member disposed in the holder and a bearing piece connected to the spring member in contact with the pinch roller. A pressing lever is shiftable between a pressing position effective to apply pressing force to the integrated mechanism and a release position effective to release the integrated pressing mechanism. The released pressing mechanism or unit is moved away from the pinch roller to free the same to leave a significant gap between the pinch roller and a capstan roller, thereby facilitating removal of a jammed print medium sheet. Further, the integrated pressing mechanism facilitates maintenance performance of the line printer.

Abstract: A cash dispenser unit includes note transport means (74, 78, 86) driven by an electric motor and including first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls which are arranged to grip therebetween a note (18'), partly withdrawn from a currency cassette (14) by associated pick arms (36), for the purpose of removing the note (18') from the cassette (14). The first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls are respectively mounted on first (76) and second (80) shafts, the first shaft (76) being mounted so that one end thereof is movable away from the second shaft (80). For the purpose of protecting the transport means (74, 78, 86) from damage in the event of the occurrence of a gulp feed of notes, said one end of the first shaft (76) is operatively associated with a microswitch, whereby movement of said one end away from the second shaft (80) by more than a predetermined amount operates the microswitch so as to deenergize the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to the sheet transporting apparatus having a sheet storage device capable of storing sheets and provided in the middle of a sheet transport path; and a carriage unit with a sheet discharge mechanism for transporting a sheet to the sheet storage device and capable of reciprocating motion substantially above said sheet storage device.

Abstract: A document feed system is disclosed which comprises a feed wheel (10) mounted on a first rotatable shaft (13), and a retard wheel (11) mounted on a second rotatable shaft (14). The first shaft is driven by a motor and the second shaft is mounted in a bearing fixed in a pivoting arm. A first pulley (17) is fixed on the first shaft and a second pulley (19) is coupled to the second shaft through a slipping clutch (18). A belt (20) passes round the first and second pulleys and also round an idler pulley (21) which is rotatable on a spring loaded shaft (22). The arrangement is such that the belt (20) pulls the first and second shafts towards each other so that a document may be gripped between the feed and retard wheels. If a single document is located in the nip between the feed and retard wheels it will be driven in the direction of the arrow (24).

Abstract: A scanner is operative with an imaging system for inducing a mechanical movement of a subject during an optical scanning of the subject to provide an image of the subject. The subject which is in the shape of a card is advanced along a travel path past an optical viewing site by means of a drum, the scanner including a first roller and a second roller which urge the subject against the drum. Initially, the first roller is located between the viewing site and the entry port for receipt of the subject in a first nip between the first roller and the drum. The second roller is positioned fixed on the opposite side of the viewing site. The first roller is supported by an arm which swings about a rotational axis of the drum to vary the spacing between the two rollers.

Abstract: A sprung wheel 46 for a document drive system comprises an upper elastic member 54, a lower elastic member 52, a separating hub 50 and a rim member 56. Each elastic member 42,54 comprises resilient arms 58 which bear upon the rim member 56 on the inside. As the time member 56 is moved eccentrically from the hub 50, supported on a spindle 48, so the resilient arms exert a restoring force. In the second embodiment, the resilient arms 74 are held on the rim portion 561 as opposed to the hub portion 50. The independence of compression of the upper 54 and lower 52 resilient members commits tilting of the rim portion 56, 561.

Abstract: A pressure spring for urging a document (10) against a reading head (22) in a document processing machine, comprises a resilient band (46) on band support arms (50) with different portions of the discontinuous resilient band (46) being selected to lie between the support arms (50). Manually operable means (80), (70) can be provided. In one embodiment, a motor (84) under the action of a controller (106), automatically advances the discontinuous band (46) whenever a service date or a pre-determined document count has been exceeded. Should the discontinuous resilient band (46) reach an extremity of travel, the controller (106) provides that the motor (84) returns the discontinuous resilient band (46) back to its start position.

Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism for delivering a sheet such as a stimulable phosphor sheet from a sheet storage unit such as a cassette or a magazine to a sheet feed system, includes suction cups movable toward and away from the sheet stored in the sheet storage unit for removing an end of the sheet from the sheet storage unit, and a feed roller pair movably disposed between the suction cups and the sheet feed system, the feed roller pair being movable toward the suction cups for holding the end of the sheet removed from the sheet storage unit, and then operable to feed the sheet to the sheet feed system.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus for a buffer tray of a xerographic reproduction machine comprises a belt for conveying sheets to the tray, input and output rolls which co-operate with the belt at the input and the output respectively of the apparatus, and an intermediate roll which can co-operate with the belt at a point intermediate its length. The output roll is mounted on an end guide of the buffer tray and, as a result, moves lengthwise of the belt when the end guide is moved to enable the tray to receive sheets of different lengths. If the output roll is moved from one side of the intermediate roll, remote from the input roll, to the other, it causes the intermediate roll to move to an inoperative position (in which it does not co-operate with the belt) and operates a latch to hold the intermediate roll in that position. The reverse movement of the output roll releases the latch and allows the intermediate roll to return to the position in which it co-operates with the belt.

Abstract: A sheet paper feeder for use in a printing press, includes a cam mechanism interposed between sheet feeding rollers, and a source of drive force for the sheet feeding rollers which are adapted to be repeatedly rotated and stopped along a programmed continuous cam operation curve. A retracting mechanism associated with sheet holddown wheels operates in synchronism with the sheet feeding rollers to cause reciprocating movement of the sheet holddown wheels toward and away from the sheet feeding rollers.

Abstract: A picture recording apparatus such as may be used with a rolled sheet material in which marks on finished pictures due to pressure exerted on the recording material by conveying rollers when the apparatus is in the stopped state are eliminated. When picture recording operations are to be carried out, multiple pairs of conveying rollers are engaged with one another to convey the recording material through various processing stations. When picture recording operations are halted, such as when the apparatus is turned off, at least one of the conveying rollers which would cause marking of finished pictures are disengaged from one another.

Abstract: Document feeding apparatus, comprising: structure for registering an edge of a document; first structure for feeding a document in a path of travel; and second structure for feeding a document from the registering structure to the first feeding structure, the second feeding structure including a plurality of rows of independently flexible members rotatable into and out of engagement with a document.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a document towards the bottom of a document track as the document is moved in first and second directions within the track. The apparatus includes a feed unit positioned on one side of the document track and a cooperating unit positioned on the opposed side of the track. The cooperating unit has a rod which is pivotally supported in a support. A high friction roller is secured to the top end of the rod and a low friction roller is rotatably supported on the lower end of the rod. The feed unit has an idler roller positioned opposite to the high friction roller and also has a drive roller positioned opposite to the low friction roller in the cooperating unit. As the document is moved in a first direction in the document track, the high friction roller causes the rod to pivot slightly, thereby causing the low friction roller on the bottom of the rod to cant slightly, producing a downward component of force on the document as it is moved in the first direction.

Abstract: A multiple bill escrow apparatus for forming a stack of successively received bills at an escrow location and for selectively moving the stack to a stacker or to a return in which a ram moves successively received bills to between pairs of first and second belt lengths to form the stack and in which the first and second belt lengths are mounted for relative movement to accomodate said stack and are concomitantly driven to move said stack out of the escrow position. Diverter belts are actuated selectively to direct the stack to a return path formed by pairs of third and fourth belt lengths mounted for relative movement to accommodate the stack and concomitantly driven to return the stack.

Abstract: An automatic document conveying device is provided in an image-processing machine having a transparent plate on which a transparent plate on which to place a document to be processed, the transparent plate having been disposed on the upper surface of a housing. The automatic conveying device is provided with a document delivery re-introduction section which sends a document delivered through a document introduction section and a central main portion selectively to a first document receiving tray, a second document receiving tray and a transparent plate by use of multiple branched sheet passageways. The document delivery re-introduction section is provided with a first branched passage for sending a document into the first document receiving tray, a second branched passage for sending the document into the second document receiving tray, and a re-introduction passage for re-introducing the document into a transparent plate.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a pressure roller of a printer means in whicht he pressure roller equipped with an elastically deformable surface is fixed in wall parts with rolling bearings at two bearing locations and presses axially and in a radial direction against a coveyor drum with a given pressing power. Of the bearings at both bearing locations, respectively one of the rolling bearings is rigidly arranged in an identically formed bearing housing that comprises self-holding securing elements for the axial fixing of the bearing housing in a recess of the allocated wall part. A locking ring for axially fixing of a bearing neck of the pressure roller in the bearing housing is provided at one bearing location. The corresponding bearing neck at the other bearing location rotates with radial play. The bearing arrangement is suitable for roller pairs that, arranged following one another, for the conveying path of a printer means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document drive system in which the documents are transported along a track and are also urged towards the base of the track so that they are correctly oriented. The documents are driven by a drive roller 14 cooperating with a ball idler assembly resiliently mounted so that the document is gripped between a ball 33 and the drive roller 14. The axis of rotation of the drive roller is inclined with respect to the track so that a downward force is applied to the document. So long as the document can be moved towards the track, the ball 33 rotates about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller, but once the document is aligned with its lower edge in contact with the base of the track, the ball rotates about an axis perpendicular to the base of the track.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus for use in a sheet thickness monitoring system comprises a pair of rollers (1, 5) which define a nip or gap (25) therebetween, the rotation of the rollers (1, 5) causing sheets to be fed between the rollers. The passage of a sheet between the rollers (1, 5) causes deflection of one roller (5) relative to the other (1) by an amount related to the sheet thickness. The one roller (5) is biassed into engagement with the other roller (1). The apparatus further comprises elastomeric plugs (13, 14) for damping movement of the one roller (5) under the influence of the bias.

Abstract: Sheet transport device with easy sheet jam handling. The device comprises a first sheet transport path which includes a feed roller rotatable in forward and reverse directions and a pair of transport rollers separable from each other, and a second sheet transport path connected to the first path which includes an openable frame. When the frame is opened, the transport rollers are separated from each other and the feed roller is driven reversely. The device further comprises a display which indicates the position where a jammed sheet is located.

Abstract: A jam clearance device is incorporated in a sheetfeeding device. The sheetfeeding device includes a deck and registration wall set at a right angle to the deck. A plurality of drive rollers are rotatively mounted within the sheetfeeding device such that a portion of the drive rollers extend through respective slots in the deck slightly above the transport surface of the deck. The jam clearance device includes a support frame fixably mounted to the sheetfeeding device. A plurality of biasing wheels are rotatively mounted to the support frame such that the biasing wheels are biased in a home position against a respective one of the drive wheels and are positionable to a second position vertically displaced from the respective drive wheel. A handle is provided for positioning the biasing wheels in the home position or the second position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet comprises a rotatable conveying roller for conveying a sheet, an intermediate roller engageable by the conveying roller, and a biasing roller mechanism shiftable between a bias position where the biasing roller mechanism abuts against the intermediate roller and a release position where the biasing roller mechanism is separated from the intermediate roller. The biasing roller mechanism is divided into a plurality of biasing rollers in accordance with widths of the sheets to be conveyed.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding device includes a driving roller and a pressing roller which presses a printed sheet against the driving roller. The printed sheet is guided between the driving roller and the pressing roller by a sheet guide fixed to the automatic sheet feeding device or by a leaf spring for supporting the pressing roller.

Abstract: A sheet such as a stimulable phosphor sheet, a photographic film, or the like is fed toward an image reading mechanism for reading an image from the sheet or an image reproducing mechanism for reproducing an image on the sheet. The sheet is gripped and fed by at least one pair of rollers, which are then displaced away from each other to release the sheet. The sheet is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is fed by the rollers, until the sheet is positioned in a predetermined position. Thereafter, the positioned sheet is gripped again by the rollers and fed thereby into the image reading mechanism or the image reproducing mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting paper comprising a paper transport path made up of a reference surface with which one edge portion of paper is brought into abutment and a paper guide on which the surface of the paper is supported, a skew roller supported on a roller shaft, which is arranged at an angle with the transport direction of the paper, and resilently urged toward the paper guide, a skew roller portions control having an abutment surface with which one end portion of the roller shaft is brought into abutment when the skew roller takes a position to be in contact with the paper and a stopper edge with which the periphery of the roller shaft is brought into abutment when the skew roller takes an open position to be away from the paper and being urged toward the skew roller, and a release to move the skew roller position control away from the skew roller, whereby it is made possible to simply bring about a state of the skew roller separated from the paper guide and a state of them held in contact.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding mechanism comprises feed rollers attached to a first driving shaft and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, two of the feed rollers being end feed rollers located at both ends of the first driving shaft. A pair of end ball rollers are attached to a second driving shaft and located in correspondence to the end feed rollers. A double-structure bail roller is attached to the second driving shaft in correspondance to the feed rollers, except for the end feed rollers. The double-structure bail roller includes an inner core and an outer layer having a small friction coefficient. The iner core is elastically deformable in a direction in which the end feed rollers are pressed against the corresponding bail rollers.

Abstract: A plurality of pinch rollers are employed to drive sheets of paper containing material to be scanned past an optical scanner to generate an optical image of the material which is converted into electrical signals. Each pinch roller includes a drive roller which is driven by a synchronized drive mechanism and an idler roller. The support shafts for the idler rollers are supported in elongated bearings which provide limited freedom of motion for the idler rollers in a direction substantially normal to their axes of rotation. A pressure plate has spring fingers which resiliently urge the idler rollers towards the drive rollers to resiliently pinch the paper sheets being driven. In the event that the paper should become jammed and needs to be removed or repositioned, a roller release lever can be actuated to drive the pressure plate so as to permit the idler rollers to move freely in their elongated support bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus in which an advancing sheet is guided along a paper path. The apparatus includes a non-rotating, arcuate member, positioned closely adjacent to a drive roller, defining a nip through which the advancing sheet moves. The arcuate member resiliently urges the sheet into contact with the drive roller to move the sheet between adjacent guide plates along the sheet path.

Abstract: A cash dispensing unit includes first (68) and second (70) cooperating endless groups of belts for feeding a stack (72) of currency notes to an exit location (50). First ends of the first (68) and second (70) groups of belts respectively pass round first (26) and second (30) group of pulleys of equal diameter mounted in a central position of a support framework (11), and second ends of the two groups of belts (68, 70) respectively pass round two smaller groups of pulleys (66, 52) disposed adjacent the exit location (50). The first group of belts (68) pass partly around the periphery of the second group of pulleys (30), and are resiliently stretchable so that the stack (72) can pass between this group of belts (68) and this group of pulleys (30).

Abstract: Each interfaced loader and metering hopper combination of a newspaper assembling system includes improvements for producing ridges in the newspapers at various stages where separation of the newspapers from one another is required. The ridges stiffen the newspaper and reduce the area of contact and thereby the friction between them. At the receiving region of the loader, an arrangement of parallel side and central conveyors, wherein the central one is at a higher level than the side conveyors, produces ridges when the newspapers in a stack are fanned back into a stream. A pair of superimposed center conveyors and inclined laterally located arms produce ridges in the newspapers as they are discharged one at a time from a discharge region of the loader into a receiving zone in the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transporting a sheet in a predetermined path of travel. The apparatus comprises a plate having a lower surface extending parallel to and defining the path of travel, and having an aperture formed therein. In addition, the apparatus comprises sheet feeding structure, including a first pair of rollers spaced apart from one another and an endless belt looped about the first rollers, wherein the belt has a lower belt run extending between the first rollers and beneath the plate. Further, the feeding structure includes instrumentalities for driving one of the first rollers for moving the lower belt run at a constant velocity in the direction of the path of travel. Moreover, the feeding structure includes a second pair of rollers which are disposed beneath the plate and are made of a compliant material.

Abstract: A sheet feeder and accelerator for feeding of sheets, which have been aligned at front register lays, to a sheet-treating machine uses a driven accelerating roller and a plurality of cooperative pressure rollers. The time of contact between these rollers is varied by axially shifting of a control drum which has a control recess that is provided with an axially varying opening or switching angle.

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter and a housing for supporting the postage meter, wherein the mailing machine includes means for individually feeding sheets in a path of travel through the machine, wherein the postage meter includes rotary means for printing indicia on the sheets; and wherein the postage meter includes a roller spaced downstream in the path of travel from the rotary printing means, an improvement in the sheet feeding means, the improvement comprising: an impression roller and a shaft on which the impression roller is mounted for rotation therewith; an ejection roller and a shaft on which the ejection roller is mounted for rotation therewith; an elongate carriage including a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other, one end of each of the side walls including an arcuately-shaped portion pivotally attaching the carriage to the housing and forming a generally C-shaped bearing bushing; the ejection roller shaft rotatably mounted with the bearing bushings for supporting the eje

Abstract: A low cost, compact ink jet recording apparatus effectively uses a single drive source for controlling paper feed and discharge operations. The apparatus comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a sheet to be printed, discharge rollers for discharging the printed sheet, a moving mechanism for engaging and disengaging the discharge rollers, and a single drive source for operating the feed mechanism, the discharge rollers and the moving mechanism. The apparatus increases sheet feeding reliability by disengaging the discharge rollers during printing. Because the sheet feed mechanism, moving mechanism and discharge rollers are operated by a single drive source, a simpler structure is possible.

Abstract: A document transport system for transporting documents of varying thicknesses along a document path comprising a document drive assembly forming one side of the document path, an idler roller assembly forming an opposite side of the document path, the document drive assembly including a moving belt adapted to engage each document and move each document along the document path, the idler roller assembly including a plurality of idler rollers adapted to move automatically and manually, alternately, between a first position contacting the moving belt when no documents are present in the document path and contacting the documents when present in the document path, and a second position out of contact with the moving belt or the documents, thereby forming a gap between the idler rollers and the moving belt, the idler rollers being connected by a lost motion connection to an idler release lever, whereby the idler release lever remains stationary when the idler rollers move automatically between the first position a

Abstract: Two pressure wheels are mounted on respective support parts and are pressed against respective edges of print medium by a common force-applying device such as a cable acting substantially equally on two mechanical devices on which the pressure wheels are mounted in order to transmit substantially identical forces thereto; each wheel may be mounted at one end of a lever which is hinged to the corresponding support part and which supports a pulley over which the cable passes.

Abstract: A sheet member feed apparatus for use in an electrophotographic copying machine includes a frame with a pair of spaced opposed walls, each wall having therein an elongated hole defined by longitudinally extending inner wall side faces. First and second feed rollers are mounted on first and second shafts, respectively, with each shaft having bearings at opposite ends thereof. The bearings of one shaft are mounted at fixed positions in the opposed frame walls, and the bearings of the other shaft are mounted in the elongated holes with clearance between outer side faces of the bearings and the confronting inner wall side faces, such that the other roller is movable toward and away from the one roller. A spring extends around a portion of each of the bearings of the other roller and biases the bearings in the elongated holes in a direction to urge the other roller toward the one roller.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sheet is registered during the movement thereof. The sheet is moved along a path in a forward direction of movement and a lateral direction of movement substantially normal thereto. The lateral movement of the sheet causes the side edge of the sheet to engage a registration edge so as to be aligned thereat. The magnitude of the moving force applied on the sheet is proportional to the thickness of the sheet. In this way, the moving force varies as a function of the thickness of the sheet with the sheet slipping laterally when engaging the registration edge to prevent buckling thereof.