Paper handling system feeder adjustment for stack elevator mechanisms

Abstract

A media feeder for feeding media items includes a moveable media side guide. A force limiting mechanism is coupled to move the side guide such that the side guide can be moved into engagement with media items with a force that will not exceed a predetermined level. A second mechanism is coupled to move the side guide a predetermined distance away from the media items. In one arrangement a first and a second moveable media side guides are mounted adjacent a media elevator platform. A first force limiting drive means is connected to a side guide adjustment mechanism operable to cause the guides toward or away from each other. A second drive means is connected to the side guide adjustment mechanism and is operable to cause the side guide adjustment mechanism to move the guides such that a predefined gap is established between the media items on the platform and the side guides after the side guides are moved into engagement with the media items. The second drive means may be operated by movement of an operator operable member such as cover for a media elevator platform housing. The feeder side guides may be adjusted to the predefined gap by a method that includes the opening and closing of the of the media elevator platform housing cover.