Lexmark International, Inc.

Whirlpool Corporation

Walter Kevin Cousins

William Michael Connors

Stephen Edward Stewart

Larry W Acton

Michael Anthony Marra, Iii

Barry Baxter Stout

Randall David Mayo

Douglas Laurence Robertson

Herman Anthony Smith

Timothy John Rademacher

Mahesan Chelvayohan

Stephen Kelly Cunnagin

David Kyle Murray

Daniel Robert Gagnon

Michael Shayne Wilson

Charles Jarratt Simpson

Stephen Andrew Budelsky

Kevin J Maudsley

Kris Eren Kallenberger

Kevin R Cruise

John Andrew Schmelz

The present invention includes a damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device having a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.

Exit shaft dampening device to improve print quality

A damping device for a media feed mechanism for a peripheral device includes a media feedpath having a feed shaft and a downstream exit shaft. In one form a damping hub is mounted on said exit shaft, a resilient biasing member extending between the damping hub and the feed shaft to create a damping force on the damping hub. In another embodiment damping is provided by a brake structure engaging said damping hub. In yet another embodiment, a brake structure is pivotably mounted.

Exit shaft damping device to improve print quality

A media edge guide assembly for use in an imaging apparatus having a media supply source includes a first edge guide portion and a second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are arranged to have an axis of rotation passing through the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are laterally interconnected to facilitate movement as a unit in a lateral direction along the axis of rotation, and the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to the axis of rotation to permit the first edge guide portion to rotate around the axis of rotation independent of the second edge guide portion.

Folding edge guide assembly for an imaging apparatus

A multifunction machine user interface has a minimal number user inputs, such as only one or two buttons. When a user places a media item, such as a printed sheet, in the scanner and activates a first user input, the machine scans the media item and assesses or determines whether the media item is to be treated for printing purposes as a color document, a color photograph, a monochrome (i.e., black-and-white) document, or a monochrome photograph. The machine then causes the media item to be printed in accordance with that assessment or determination. The assessment or determination can be made automatically by the machine or a host computer in communication with the machine in response to an evaluation of chrominance and luminance of the scanned pixels. Alternatively, the determination can be made by the user selecting corresponding settings through a user interface on the host computer.

Simple and configurable all-in-one operator panel

An auto-document feeder re-ingestion stop includes an auto-document feeder having a lower input tray and an upper output tray, the upper output tray having a length which is shorter than the length of input tray so that exiting or exited media depends onto the input tray, a flexible stopper depending from the upper output tray and inhibiting the exited media from being re-ingested by paper-to-paper friction during feeding of media in the input tray.

Media re-ingestion stopper

An illuminated media position indicator for an imaging device comprises a scanner having a scanner top cover including an inner edge portion which defines an opening for a scanning platen disposed adjacent the opening. The inner edge portion defines at least one corner corresponding to a scan origin. An illuminated registration corner is positioned in said at least one corner corresponding to the scan origin and comprises at least one LED in optical communication with the illuminated registration corner. The illuminated registration corner communicates light from the at least one LED throughout the illuminated registration corner using substantially total internal reflection to indicate media position and orientation at said scan origin.

Illuminated media position indicator and method of use

A media eject system for a printer having an output tray includes an edge wing for supporting an edge of media exiting the printer, the edge wing movable between support and non-support positions. A kicker engages a trailing edge of media and moves the media into the tray. The kicker is movable between a retracted position and an extended position and operable to move the media into the tray by movement of the kicker from the retracted position to the extended position. A controller determines a print condition including at least one of a media type and a print format, and adjusts a position of the wing dependent upon the print condition.

Multi-function media eject system in an ink jet printer

A multi-function media eject system and method for operation particularly useful for ink jet printers. At the start of a print job, the media type and print format are determined. If the media is either banner paper or envelope, or if the print format is draft quality printing, wings and kickers of the eject system are disabled, so the media exits the printer without support from the wings or influence from the kickers.

A beater brush for a vacuum cleaner includes a cylindrical dowel having at least one groove helically disposed in an outer periphery thereof for receiving a bristle strip. The bristle strip has a bristle support section and a beater bar integrally formed with a hinge disposed therebetween. In the bristle strip's molded position, the beater bar is disposed a distance from the bristle support section to allow bristle tufts to be inserted in apertures formed in the bristle support section. After the bristle tufts are secured to the bristle support section, the beater bar is swung into position abutting the bristle tufts so as to impart kinetic energy thereto.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Walter Kevin Cousins