Device for copying sheetlike originals

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding sheetlike originals to be copied which has a defined path for conveying the original that includes a feed section with guide elements which together form a feed slot and a continuously driven roller for conveying an original introduced in the path further includes a sheet arresting element located downstream of the driven roller and movable between two positions, namely, a first position in which the arresting element blocks the path of conveyance, and a second position in which the arresting element lies outside of the path of conveyance. At the same time, in the first position of the arresting element, the driven roller cooperates exclusively with a plurality of freely rotatable spherical elements, resulting in a force between the driven roller and the spherical elements which is sufficient to convey the original up to and against the arresting element for proper alignment of its leading edge after which the driven roller slips relative to the original, while in the second position of the arresting element the driven roller cooperates with a number of freely rotatable friction rolls to convey the original further. Thus, a new original can be placed in readiness for feeding while the preceding original is still being processed and it is possible to easily adjust or change the position of the original in a lateral direction.