Patent ID: 6651973
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A sheet feeder comprising:a) a tray having a support surface and spaced sides defining a sheet delivery path; b) a roller support assembly pivotally mounted on said tray, said assembly including a frame having a sheet engaging roller and roller drive gears thereon, said roller support assembly including: 1) a shaft extending transversely above said sheet delivery path and a biasing member for rotating said shaft relative to said tray; 2) at least one load arm fixedly attached to said shaft, said frame being pivotally affixed to said load arm, said shaft biasing said frame toward said support surface; 3) a cam coaxially rotatably mounted on said shaft, said cam including a cylindrical surface and an aperture in said surface; 4) a follower pivotally supported on said assembly for rotation about an axis parallel to said shaft, said follower having a finger engageable with said cam surface and said aperture and having a first cam surface engageable with said frame; 5) a swing arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, said swing arm engaging said follower to pivot said follower; 6) an input gear and a clutch gear mounted on said swing arm, said input gear being affixed to said cam and engaged with said clutch gear, said clutch gear being engageable with a roller drive gear on said frame as said swing arm rotates on said shaft in a forward sheet delivery direction, and said swing arm rotating on said shaft to disengage said clutch gear from said roller drive gear when input power is applied in a reverse direction and when a roller is over driven.