Patent ID: 6241242
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B65H,G03G

Abstract:
A print media deskew system for aligning print media to a hard copy producing means located downstream of the deskew system along a print media transport path, the system comprising:guide means for supporting a print medium, including a base member having support surface means for supporting a first surface of the print medium transported through the system, and adjacent the support surface means, abutment means for abutting an edge of the print medium transported through the system and for aligning the print medium to the hard copy producing means, and at least two apertures through the support surface means;located proximate the base member, print medium feed means for transporting the print medium through the system, the feed means including, located respectively to bridge each of the at least two apertures, at least two paired spherical members for sequentially receiving the print medium by a leading edge between each of the paired spherical members and simultaneously driving the print medium along the transport path across the support surface means and driving the print medium laterally to the transport path across the support surface means such that the edge of the print medium is driven against the abutment means,each set of paired spherical members including a pinch sphere located superjacent one of the apertures and a drive sphere located subjacent one of the apertures such that the pinch sphere and drive sphere of a set are in peripheral contact at a predetermined pressure for receiving and driving the print medium there between; andtransport path drive motor having a first drive shaft coupled to each drive sphere of each set of paired spherical members for simultaneously imparting motion to each drive sphere to impart a drive force longitudinally in the transport path.