Patent ID: 6042103
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A media feed apparatus for a printer, comprising:a frame;a motorized media pick element connected to the frame;a media support plate connected to the frame and movable toward and away from the pick element, such that a stack of media on the plate may be brought into contact with the pick element;a lifter assembly connected to the frame and continuously movable between a first position and a second position;the lifter assembly including a cam surface supportably contacting the media support plate and having a first cam surface portion contacting the support plate when the lifter assembly is in the first position to position the support plate in a first plate position away from the pick element, and having a second cam surface portion contacting the support plate when the lifter assembly is in the second position to position the support plate in a second plate position closer to the pick element; andwherein the lifter assembly is rotatable about a lifter axis, and wherein the first cam surface portion contacts the support plate at a first location laterally spaced apart from the lifter axis by a first amount, and the second cam surface portion contacts the support plate at a second location laterally spaced apart from the lifter axis by a second amount greater than the first amount.