Patent ID: 8095062
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A device to detect widths of media sheets moving along a media path within an image forming apparatus comprising: a shaft including an elongated shape and being rotationally positioned to extend at least partially across the media path; first, second, third and fourth paddles each extending outward from the shaft and into the media path, the paddles being axially offset along the shaft, the first paddle aligned at the same position along the media path as the second paddle, the third paddle aligned at the same position along the media path as the fourth paddle, the first and second paddles positioned upstream from the third and fourth paddles; a flag extending outward from the shaft; and a detector positioned in proximity to the shaft and comprising a transmission path formed between a transmitter and a receiver; and contact between one of the media sheets with a first width and the first and second paddles causing a first degree of rotation of the shaft with a first section of the flag moving through the transmission path between the transmitter and the receiver and causing a first signal to be received by the receiver, and contact between a second of the media sheets with a second width and the third and fourth paddles causing a second degree of rotation of the shaft with a second section of the flag moving through the transmission path and causing a second signal to be received by the receiver.