Apparatus for actuating a lift plate of a media tray

An apparatus for actuating a lift plate of a media tray is disclosed herein. An example of the apparatus includes a rocker assembly adjacent the lift plate and a slide assembly coupled to the rocker assembly to actuate the rocker assembly subsequent to insertion of the media tray in a printing device, thereby raising the lift plate. The apparatus additionally includes a lock assembly to release the lock assembly upon initiation of opening of the media tray, thereby allowing the lift plate to lower prior to such removal. A media tray and method for actuating a lift plate of a media tray are also disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND

Consumers appreciate value in their printing devices. They also appreciate speed in printing devices. Designers and manufacturers may, therefore, endeavor to provide such printing devices to these consumers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Media trays are utilized in printing devices designs to hold sheets of media for selection by a pick assembly of such devices. Media trays may accommodate a range of different medium sizes through the use of length and width adjusters in the media tray that may be moved depending on the particular size of media the consumer desires to use.

Multiple media trays may be used in printing device designs where it is anticipated that more than one size of sheet media (e.g., letter and legal) may typically be used. This saves time for printing device users who would otherwise have to change the media within a tray when desiring to use a different sized media in a printing device having only one media tray.

A lift plate within the media tray is actuated to raise the stack of media in the media tray, after it is inserted into a printing device, so that the media stack is adjacent to a pick assembly of the printing device. This allows the pick assembly of the printing device to select one or more sheets of medium for printing.

The lift plate and adjacent stack of media must be lowered prior to opening of the media tray, otherwise the tray will not open fully and the sheets of medium of the media stack may be damaged and/or jammed within the printing device. Damage to the media tray and other parts of the printing device (e.g., pick assembly) may also occur.

The lift plate and adjacent media stack are typically raised by a single dedicated motor and then lowered by another. Oftentimes, the lift plate and adjacent stack of media are only partially raised or not raised at all before printing in case the media tray needs to be opened, which, if the lift plate were fully raised, would require the motor to rotate in the opposite direction to lower it before an end user could open the media tray. This takes time and could potentially cause damage of the type described above, should the end user force open the tray before the lift plate and adjacent media stack were fully lowered. Upon initiation of printing, the lift plate and adjacent media stack are raised to a position adjacent the pick assembly for selection of one or more sheets thereby.

The use of a single dedicated motor (one direction to raise the lift plate and the other to lower it) adds to the overall cost of a printing device. It can also increase the size of a power supply that provides energy to the dedicated motor. This larger power supply also adds to the cost of a printing device, not to mention the likely increase in size and weight of the printing device.

An apparatus10for actuating a lift plate of a media tray12for use in a printing device14directed to addressing these issues is shown inFIG. 1. Apparatus10and media tray12require only one motor direction to raise a lift plate, thereby saving the added cost associated with a single dedicated motor, as discussed above. No motor move is required to lower the lift plate and adjacent media stack prior to opening of media tray12. This allows the other direction of rotation of the single motor to be used for other tasks, such as media picking and/or servicing of ink jet print heads. Additionally, as discussed more fully below, apparatus10and media tray12initially raise the lift plate and stack of media to a position adjacent the pick assembly of printing device14saving time by allowing printing to more quickly begin on selected sheets of medium, which increases printing device throughput.

Furthermore, the lift plate and adjacent media stack are quickly lowered by the influence of gravity upon initiation of opening of media tray12by an end-user of printing device14. This helps avoid the issues associated with premature opening of media tray12, as also discussed above.

As used herein, the terms “non-transitory storage medium” and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” are defined as including, but not necessarily being limited to, any media that can contain, store, or maintain programs, information, and data. Non-transitory storage medium and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include any one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of suitable non-transitory storage medium and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives, magnetic tape, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash drive, a compact disc (CD), or a digital video disk (DVD).

As used herein, the term “processor” is defined as including, but not necessarily being limited to, an instruction execution system such as a computer/processor based system, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a hardware and/or software system that can fetch or obtain the logic from a non-transitory storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and execute the instructions contained therein. “Processor” can also include any controller, state-machine, microprocessor, clod-based utility, service or feature, or any other analogue, digital and/or mechanical implementation thereof.

As used herein “printing device” is defined as including, but not necessarily being limited to, a printer that uses any of the following marking technologies or a combination thereof: ink jet, laser jet, dye sublimation, liquid toner, off-set printing, impact, or dot matrix. As used herein, “media” is defined as including, but not necessarily being limited to any type of paper or other printing medium (e.g., cloth, canvas, transparency, etc.), having any type of finish on either or both sides (e.g., glossy, matte, plain, textured, etc.), in any size, shape, color, or form (e.g., sheet, roll (cut or uncut), folded, etc.).

Referring again toFIG. 1, media tray12holds sheets of media16in a stack for selection and transport by media handling system of printing device14from media tray12, past a print zone (not shown) to output tray or shelf18, where printed media is collected for retrieval by one or more end users. A user interface20provides information (e.g., print job status, supplies status, etc.) to one or more end users of printing device14, as well as allowing such end users to enter information (e.g., user ID, print job ID, etc.) relating to their use of printing device14.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, media tray12is in an open position allowing access to media stack16which, for example, can allow replenishment of sheets of media16or replacement with a different size and/or type of media. A length adjuster22and a width adjuster24are movable to accommodate any such differently sized media. Media tray12may be closed or inserted into printing device14by moving it in the direction of arrow26.

An example of apparatus10and media tray12removed from printing device14are shown inFIG. 2. As can be seen inFIG. 2, media tray12includes pairs of rollers28and30and pairs of rollers32and34that ride in or on tracks (not shown) of printing device14. Rollers28,30,32, and34in combination with these tracks allow media tray12to be opened and closed by end users via handle36(seeFIG. 1). As can also be seen inFIG. 2, media tray12includes a lift plate assembly38below and adjacent to stack of media sheets16shown in phantom via dotted lines inFIG. 2.

An example of apparatus10for actuating lift plate assembly38is shown inFIG. 3. As can be seen inFIG. 3, lift plate assembly38is shown in lowered position, as inFIG. 2, which permits media tray12to be opened and/or removed from printing device12(seeFIG. 1). Referring again toFIG. 3, it can be seen that apparatus10includes a rocker assembly40adjacent lift plate42and a slide assembly44coupled to rocker assembly40to actuate rocker assembly40subsequent to closing or insertion of media tray12in printing device14thereby raising lift plate42, as shown inFIG. 4. Apparatus10additionally includes a lock assembly46to secure slide assembly44and a latch assembly48coupled to lock assembly46to release lock assembly46upon initiation of opening of media tray12, thereby allowing lift plate42to lower prior to such removal, as discussed more fully below.

As can be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, lift plate assembly38includes a pair of upstanding members47and49each of which defines a respective aperture or opening50and52. A fastener is positioned within each of openings50and52and connected to media tray12to secure end53of lift plate42to media tray12while still allowing the remainder of lift plate42to be raised and lowered by apparatus10. One such fastener54is shown disposed within opening52of upstanding member49into wall56of media tray12inFIG. 2. As shown, for example inFIG. 9, a similar fastener55is disposed within opening50of upstanding member47into wall58of media tray12.

As can additionally be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, lift plate assembly38also includes a tab60that extends from side62of lift plate42. Tab60abuts wall64of media tray12(seeFIG. 2) to help provide lateral stability to lift plate42during raising and lowering by apparatus10. As can further be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, a member or pin66of printing device14abuts side68of slide assembly44. Pin or member66is driven by a gear assembly and motor (not shown) of printing device14in the direction of arrow70inFIG. 4to raise lift plate42from the lowered position shown inFIG. 3to the raised position shown inFIG. 4. This gear assembly and motor are in turn controlled by a processor executing instructions on a non-transitory storage medium of printing device14, neither of which are shown.

An illustration of an example of an actuation assembly72of apparatus10in an unlocked and lowered position is shown inFIG. 5. As can be seen inFIG. 5, rocker assembly40includes a generally “L”-shaped plate74having a roller76rotatably mounted on end78. Plate74also includes a pin80rotatably positioned in an opening of upstanding member82which is connected to floor84(seeFIG. 2) of media tray12. Plate74additionally includes a pin86rotatably positioned through an opening (not shown) in wall88(seeFIG. 2) of media tray12an in opening on corner90of triangular member92, as shown. In this manner, rocker assembly40of actuation assembly72of apparatus10is coupled to media tray12. Plate74is connected to bottom or side94of triangular member92.

As can also be seen inFIG. 5, slide assembly44includes a ratchet mechanism96having a first set of teeth98that engage with a second set of teeth100of lock assembly46, as shown, for example, inFIG. 6, to secure rocker assembly40in the position shown, which in turn raises and secures lift plate42in the raised position. Ratchet mechanism96includes a third set of teeth102that mesh with teeth104of gear106. Gear106is damping gear that helps keep lift plate42from lowering too rapidly so as to create an annoying audible clang.

As can further be seen inFIGS. 5 and 6, slide assembly44additionally includes a biasing member108connected on one end110to ratchet mechanism96and on another end112to triangular member92of rocket assembly40. Biasing member108provides a range of deflection for rocker assembly40and thus lift plate42. This is accomplished through selection of an expansion constant that tensions biasing member108through a predetermined range when loaded by, for example, a pick roller114(seeFIG. 8) of a pick assembly against media stack16for selection of one or more sheets of print medium for printing by printing device14.

An illustration of a side view of an example of apparatus10for actuating lift plate42and adjacent media stack16in an unlocked and lowered position is shown inFIG. 7. An illustration of a side view of the example of apparatus10for actuating the lift plate42and adjacent media stack16to a raised and locked position is shown inFIG. 8. As can be seen by comparingFIGS. 7 and 8, member or pin66has been moved by the gear assembly and motor (neither of which are shown) in the direction of arrow70which causes triangular member92of rocker assembly40to rotate about pins80and86which raises L-shaped plate74from the position shown inFIG. 7to the position shown inFIG. 8. This in turn causes roller76on end78of plate74to rotate and push against bottom116of lift plate42raising it in the direction indicated by arrow118until top sheet of medium120is against pick roller114for selection thereby. Look assembly46secures lift plate42in this position through engagement of first set of teeth98with second set of teeth100, as discussed above in connection withFIG. 6.

Lift plate42remains in this raised position adjacent pick roller114until initiation of opening of media tray12, as discussed more fully below. This provides the advantage of allowing pick roller114to select top sheet of medium120without the delay of first having to raise lift plate42. The non-transitory storage medium of printing device14has additional instructions that cause the processor of printing device14to actuate the motor and gear assembly of printing device14(none of which are shown) to move pin or member66in the direction of arrow70in cases where pick roller114fails to select top sheet of medium120. This further raises lift plate42and media stack16in the direction of arrow118thereby increasing a normal force exerted by lift plate42on media stack16adjacent pick roller114which increases the likelihood of a successful selection of top sheet of medium120by the pick assembly of printing device14.

An illustration of a partial top view of an example of closing or insertion of media tray12into printing device14in the direction of arrow122is shown inFIG. 9. As can be seen inFIG. 9, ratchet mechanism96includes an overhanging portion or member124that rides along a track126formed in wall portion88of media tray12. As can also be seen inFIG. 9, lock assembly46defines an opening128through which a shaft or pin130is disposed to pivotally connect lock assembly46to overhanging portion132(seeFIG. 2) of media tray12. Referring again toFIG. 9, latch assembly48also defines an opening134through which a shaft or pin136is also disposed to pivotally connect latch assembly48to overhanging portion132. Latch assembly48additionally includes a biasing member138that extends around shaft or pin136and includes a first end140positioned against wall58and a second end142positioned underneath arm144of latch assembly48.

As can additionally be seen inFIG. 9, arm144of latch assembly48includes a notch146in which a finger or member148of lock assembly46is disposed. This arrangement allows latch assembly48to move lock assembly46. As can further be seen inFIG. 9, arm144includes a camed-surface150that interacts with a wall or chassis152of printing device14during closing or insertion of media tray12therein.

An illustration of a partial top view of media tray12upon insertion in printing device14and raising of lift plate42by actuation assembly72of apparatus10is shown inFIG. 10. As can be seen inFIG. 10, printer wall or chassis152now resides in a recess154of arm144and pin or member66of printing device14has moved in the direction of arrow70to raise lift plate42, as discussed above. As can also be seen inFIG. 10, biasing member138of latch assembly48is urging teeth100of lock assembly46against teeth98of ratchet mechanism96, via engagement between notch146and finger or member148, to secure slide assembly44and thus lift plate42in the raised position. As can additionally be seen inFIG. 10, teeth98of ratchet mechanism96and teeth100of lock assembly46are angled in a direction that permits them to slide against and past one another in the direction generally indicated by arrow70, but that also inhibits them from doing so in a direction generally opposite that indicated by arrow70.

An illustration of a partial top view of an example of the initiation of opening or removal of media tray12in the direction of arrow156and lowering of lift plate42via the actuation assembly72of apparatus10is shown inFIG. 11. As can be seen inFIG. 11, arm144includes a camed-surface158that interacts with wall or chassis152of printing device14during initiation of opening or removal of media tray12. This interaction overcomes the urging of biasing member138causing arm144of latch assembly48to deflect or move in a direction generally indicated by arrow160which, by interaction of notch146and finger148, in turn causes lock assembly46to move or deflect in a direction generally indicated by arrow162, thereby disengaging teeth100from teeth98of ratchet mechanism96. Slide assembly44in turn moves in the direction of arrow164as lift plate42of lift plate assembly38and adjacent media slack16lower in an unaided manner under the influence of gravity prior to complete or full opening or removal of media tray12.

This lowering of lift plate42of lift plate assembly38occurs without the use of a second motor which avoids the issues associated therewith, as discussed above. Additionally, the lowering occurs in a rapid manner that helps to avoid damage to media16, media tray12and/or printing device14, as well as associated jams which most be cleared by an end-user.

An example of a method166for actuating a lift plate of a media tray is shown inFIG. 12. As can be seen inFIG. 12, method166starts168by raising the lift plate of the media tray subsequent to closing the media tray within a printing device, as indicated by block170. Method100continues by securing the lift plate in a raised position to allow selection of a medium is the media tray by a pick assembly of the printing device independent of a requirement to first raise the lift plate, as indicated by block172, and subsequently releasing the lift plate from the secured raised position upon initiation of opening of the media tray, thereby allowing the lift plate to lower in an unaided manner under an influence of gravity, as indicated by block174. Method166may then end176.

An example of additional elements of a method166for actuating a lift plate of a media tray are illustrated inFIG. 13. As can be seen inFIG. 13, method166may additionally include moving a slide assembly to actuate a rocker assembly, thereby raising the lift plate of the media tray, as indicated by block178. Method166may additionally or alternatively include deflecting a latch assembly by a wall of the printing device, thereby releasing the lift plate from the secured raised position, as indicated by block180. Method166may also or alternative include increasing a normal force exerted by the lift plate on media adjacent the pick assembly, as indicated by block182, and/or providing a range of deflection for the lift plate in a raised position, as indicated by block184.

Although several examples have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same are intended by way of illustration and example only. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Modifications and variations may well be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the following claims.

Additionally, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one, unless explicitly so stated, but rather means one or more. Moreover, no element or component is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.