Paper tray support and paper feed for reproduction apparatus

Abstract

A paper cassette support and associated paper feed for reproduction apparatus are assembled as a module. The paper cassette support is made of a resinous material which includes carbon fibers to minimize the deposit of electrostatic charge and self-lubricating material for providing bearings which are molded unitarily with the side panels. The side panels, when assembled, define a cassette support section and a paper transport section, the cassette support section having shelves and cassette retaining springs molded therein. Paper transport slots are molded into step portions of the side panels, as are bearings and spring retainers for shafts and spindles supporting pairs of rollers. An associated feed drive includes output shafts for rotating D-rollers that frictionally advance paper one sheet at a time from paper stacks in cassettes received in the paper cassette support section. Each feed drive includes a magnetic clutch which is selectively activated by a power supply and limits the D-rollers to one rotation. This accomplished by a cam wheel which is rotated upon engagement of the magnetic clutch and assumes control of the power supply after rotation of the output shaft is initiated. The cam wheel interrupts power to the magnetic clutch upon completion of one revolution, stopping rotation of the activated output shaft.