Patent ID: 6433897
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B41J,H04N

Abstract:
A scanning unit for feeding an individual document sheet along a document path past a scanning window; said scanning unit having improved cost and reliability due to a relatively low component count, achieved in large part by integrating functionality into a sheet-metal chassis; and said scanning unit comprising:a base holding the scanning window; an upper guide member comprising a rigid chassis formed from sheet metal and movably mounted relative to the base; and formed directly in the sheet metal chassis, a group of features comprising: a formed mount for substantially directly holding at least part of a document separation mechanism, at least one datum surface for controlling vertical spacing between the document separation mechanism and a pick roller, and at least one datum surface for controlling chassis alignment, relative to the window, along the document path, wherein the functionality of said features is achieved in a relatively very rigid sheet-metal structure and without the cost of intermediate custom molded-plastic mounts.