Patent ID: 6942212
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A media handling mechanism in a printing device, comprising: an input tray for holding a stack of media sheets at a top level, wherein the input tray includes two side walls and a platform on which the stack of media sheets rests; a spring mechanism coupled to the input tray for driving the platform upward toward a media pick mechanism of the printing device; a wheel indexer mounted to one side wall of the input tray for stopping upward movements of the platform toward the media pick mechanism when the top level of the stack of media reaches a first predetermined level; a sensing mechanism for determining the top level of the stack of media; an engaging mechanism mounted to the same side wall of the input tray, said engaging mechanism having an engaging end configured to engage with the wheel indexer when the top level of the stack of media reaches the first predetermined level and a sensing end configured to interact with the sensing mechanism; and a disengaging mechanism for disengaging the engaging mechanism with the wheel indexer when the top level of the stack of media reaches a second level lower than the first level so that the spring mechanism is free to drive the platform toward the media pick mechanism.