Patent ID: 7731176
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. A sheet picking system for picking a sheet of media, comprising: a power source having a driveshaft; a first housing arm containing a drive gear drivably coupled to said driveshaft, said drive gear defining a first pivot axis for said first housing arm, said drive gear being driven by said driveshaft to rotate about said first pivot axis; a second housing arm containing an intermediate gear, a transmission device, and a pick roller, said transmission device being configured to rotatably couple said intermediate gear to said pick roller, said intermediate gear being positioned to be directly meshed with said drive gear, said intermediate gear defining a second pivot axis for said second housing arm; and a link mechanism pivotably coupling said first housing arm at said first, pivot axis to said second housing arm at said second pivot axis; wherein said link mechanism includes an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate portion located between said proximal end and said distal end; said elongate member forms a first pivot joint with said first housing arm near said proximal end at said first pivot axis; said elongate member forms a second pivot joint with said second housing arm in said intermediate portion at said second pivot axis; and said elongate member defines a cantilever beam located at said distal end, and said second housing arm includes a protrusion member, said cantilever beam having a cam surface, said protrusion member being located to engage said cam surface and deflect said cantilever beam, to provide a rotational resistance when said second housing arm is pivoted at said second pivot axis.