Method and apparatus for controlling the movement of paper-holding trays

Abstract

Paper handling mechanisms for printers, copiers and the like typically have a separate paper feeding mechanism associated with each paper tray. The separate paper feeding mechanisms can only remove paper from the associated tray. Therefore, the paper handling mechanisms are redundant, space consuming, and inefficient to use. Disclosed herein is a paper handling mechanism that uses a single paper-feeding mechanism to remove paper from a plurality of trays. Since a separate paper-feeding mechanism is not required for each tray, more trays may be disposed in the same vertical space of prior printers or copiers. Advantageously, the single paper-feeding mechanism moves generally vertically, and the trays selectively move generally horizontally to intersect the paper-feeding mechanism. Preferably, a plurality of gears are disposed adjacent each horizontally moveable tray. The plurality of gears are adapted to engage a corresponding gear member on each of the respective trays. To move a selected tray horizontally to intersect the paper-feeding mechanism, one of the plurality of gears moves into engagement with the corresponding gear member on the selected tray, and imparts horizontal motion to the selected tray so that the paper-feeding mechanism can remove paper from the selected tray.