Xerox Corporation

Karl E Liechty

Russell L Phelps

Jeffrey L Sisson

David C Lasher

For a document sheet feeding and registration apparatus and method for deskewing and registering a document sheet relative to a registered copying position on a copier platen by feeding it against a sheet aligning document registration member, there is disclosed apparatus for initially feeding the document sheet towards the registration means with a first document sheet feeder exemplified by a widely transversely spaced pair of high friction sheet feeding rollers, which resist skewing of the document sheet, and removing the first document sheet feeder from the document sheet after its lead edge is engaged by a second document sheet feeder and before the document sheet engages the registration edge stop so that final skewing control of the document sheet is only by the second document sheet feeder, this second document sheet feeder being a single sheet feeding roller positioned centrally of the document sheet lead edge area and positioned closely adjacent the registration edge. This single roller provides a brief low rotational resistance deskewing of the document sheet while driving the document sheet into final alignment with the registration member. All of the sheet feeding rollers are positioned over the document on the platen extending through a backing plate so as to be hidden during copying.

Document deskewing system

An automatic document handler for supplying documents singly to the platen of a processing apparatus such as a copying machine. Following copying, each document is returned to the document supply where the used documents are kept separated from documents awaiting copying by means of a resettable bail bar. To position the documents properly for copying, the document handler includes a register against which the document trailing edge is abutted through reversal of the platen transport belt. To allow the document to be removed and the platen cleared for the next document, means are provided to remove the register and lower a document deflector into an intercept position, the deflector then serving to guide the document into a predetermined return path back to the document supply without interfering with movement of the next document forward. The platen transport comprises an endless belt conveyor supported for substantially single line contact with the platen surface at a point adjacent to and parallel with the register.

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Pittsford, NY, United States of America

Karl E Liechty