The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 21, 1991
Filed:
May. 30, 1990
John W Daughton, Rochester, NY (US);
Jack E Jones, Macedon, NY (US);
Michael L Shaffer, Walworth, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
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.