Patent ID: 6687480
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An apparatus for enhancing contact between print sheets having different widths and a developed image on an imaging surface, comprising:a contact blade, formed of a plurality of blade segments, mounted parallel to and spaced from said imaging surface; a plurality of blade lifters, one blade lifter for each of said blade segments, said blade lifters being individually movable from an inoperative position immediately adjacent to said blade segments to an operative position in which said blade lifters engage said blade segments and deflect said blade segments causing tips of said blade segments to contact a print sheet contacting said imaging surface and press said print sheet against said imaging surface; a lifter activating device for moving a current select number of adjacent said blade lifters into said operative position, said current select number being selected such that a current number of adjacent blade segments having a cumulative length that is equal to a width of a current said print sheet currently contacting said imaging surface are deflected and contact with said current print sheet; and a lifter locking member for engaging said current select blade lifters in said operative position and current non-selected said blade lifters in said inoperative position while said current print sheet is in contact with said imaging surface.