Patent ID: 6457709
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A media transport belt assembly, comprising:a first roller having opposed first and second ends; a second roller; a continuous belt encompassing at least the first and second roller; and a belt stabilizing mechanism which shifts the belt along the first roller into a stable equilibrium position without actively sensing belt offset, the belt stabilizing mechanism comprising: a first tension mechanism coupled to the first end of the first roller allowing movement of the first end along a fixed linear path, and generating a first tension force which acts;.on the first roller in a first fixed direction parallel to the fixed linear path; and a second tension mechanism coupled to the second end of the first roller, comprising a spring and an arm, the arm coupled to the second end and to the spring, the spring being anchored, the arm having a pivot point, the arm rotating about the pivot point to balance a second tension force and a spring force, the second tension force applied along a moment-arm from the second end, wherein when the belt is in disequilibrium along the first roller, the second tension force defines a moment arm countering the first tension force in proportion to the disequilibrium of the belt, skewing the first roller relative to the second roller causing the belt to shift gradually along the first roller toward the stable equilibrium position.