Xerox Corporation

Jack E Jones

John W Daughton

Michael L Shaffer

An apparatus for maintaining the outermost surface of a stack of sheets at a selected elevation of the type having a stacking tray for holding the stack, a drive system adapted to move the tray, a position sensor for detecting the position of the outermost sheet of the stack, and a drive controller for controlling the drive system in response to signals received from the position sensor. The drive controller utilizing signals generated by a travel limit sensor, whereby the sensor indicates, with an active signal, the presence of the stacking tray at either a first or a second travel limit position. The drive controller further utilizing signals generated by a motion sensor, whereby the sensor signal is indicative of displacement of the stacking tray. The apparatus further including a sensor actuating apparatus, operatively connected to the stacking tray, for actuating the travel limit and motion sensors. The sensor actuating apparatus including means for actuating the travel limit sensor when the stacking tray is in either a first or a second travel limit position. The sensor actuating apparatus further including means for periodically actuating the motion sensor in response to movement of the stacking tray, thereby causing the motion sensor to generate a signal indicative of movement of the stacking tray.

Elevator tray position control apparatus

In a document transport apparatus for feeding document sheets over a copier platen with a reversible direction of motion document feeding belt with a normal-force pressure system for applying pressure to an area of the back of the lower belt flight, mounted to engage and be moved by the belt, which pressure is automatically substantially greater for one direction of motion of the belt than the other, the improvement comprising apparatus for applying a preset maximum gravitational force with the pressure system actuated solely by engagement and movement of the pressure system by the lower belt flight in one direction, and further apparatus for counteracting that gravitational force automatically in response to the reversal of direction of the belt flight to greatly reduce the applied pressure in the reversed direction of motion of the belt flight, wherein a disclosed pressure system is an integral arm/roller unit with a variable axis of rotation about a fixed pivot by means of a limited slot connection therewith and a cooperative rotational stop, providing free vertical but restricted rotational movement of the pressure system in one direction of belt movement, and vertical retention but free rotational movement in the other direction of belt movement.

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Macedon, NY, United States of America

Jack E Jones