Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.p.

Tom Ruhe

Jiangxiao Mo

Kelly A Brock

Ray Sherman

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.

Variable support structure and media sheet separator

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.

Sheet media input structure

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.

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La Center, WA, United States of America

Tom Ruhe