Patent GB-1017854-A (GB)
Title: Electrophotographic copying machine
IPC: G03G15/28
Filed: 1964-05-11
Abstract: 1,017,854. Electrophotographic copying apparatus. AMERICAN PHOTOCOPY EQUIPMENT CO. May 11,1964 [May 23, 1963], No. 19604/64. Heading G2H. An electrophotographic copying machine 10 has an optical system 20 including an illuminating station 21 from wheels images are projected to the exposing station 22, a first set of guides 32 and driven rollers 33, 34 and 35, 36 defining a copy paper path through the exposing station from supply roll 25, a second set of guides 43 and driven rollers 41, 42, 44, 45, and 46, 47 defining an original sheet path from inlet table 15 through the illuminating station, there being sensing switches in the original sheet path which actuate knife blade 61 to cut the copy paper into lengths equal to the original length. For multiple copying the original circulates round the closed loop defined by guides 102, 104 of structure 43 in response to switch 48, or for selected members of copies from two to ten, a dial mechanism 49 is operated. Gate 115 is pivoted by solenoid 117 to direct the original from the closed loop to the return tray 17. The copy transport system is carried in a detachable sub-assembly 51 comprising side plates 52 with bayonet lugs 53 the plates supporting the copy roll 25, inlet table 15, driven rollers 27, 28 and 41, 42, and solenoid operated copy paper knife 30. Blade 61 on plate 63 slides in slots 64 at opposite ends of box housing 65 and is driven by solenoid 66 through links 68, 69, and 70 which operate to produce decreasing mechanical advantage during the stroke of armature 67 to match the power output of the solenoid. The original transport system is carried in a further detachable sub-assembly 50 having side plates 80 with latches 84 and a pin and notch locating system. These plates support guide structure 43, charging unit 31, driven rollers 33, 34; 35, 36; 44, 45; and 46, 47, and spring biased back-up members 87 and 88 behind windows 21 and 22. Guide structure 43 is opened by releasing a sub-frame 105. Bath assemblies 50 and 51 have a multiple plug and socket electrical connection 159, 160 with the main frame 11. The rollers are driven by motor 125 through belts and gears. The copy web feeding rollers 27, 28 are operated through a solenoid-actuated clutch in which bracket 138 is swung upwards by solenoid 140 so that gear 135 drivingly meshes with the gears on the roller shafts. Assemblies 50, 51 are covered by a door 59 and a switch 151 senses the closure of the door. Switch 150 senses the input of an original on table 15, and further switches sense the passage of the original in the closed loop. Upon insertion of an original switch 150 operates relays to energize the charging unit 31, exposure lamps, a fixer lamp, and the drive motor 125. Switch 153 is then operated to energize a six-second timer and the knife solenoid 66, to energise the copy feed clutch 140. The machines feeds at one inch per second and at least a sixinch length of copy sheet is therefore passed through the knife although the original may be shorter, A run-out timer is also operated by switch 150 to ensure that the drive runs long enough for the copy to clear the machine. For multiple copies, switch 48 or dial 49 are set and as the tail of the original passes switch 150 the gate solenoid 117 is energized to close the re-circulation loop in which a switch is operated by the original to stop the copy feed, during the non-exposure part of the loop. An indicator lamp flashes after each circuit of the loop and remains on when the original finally leaves the machines. The switch energizing gate solenoid 117 remains closed until the dial has returned step-wise to its zero position by the action of a further solenoid; the switch then opens and the gate closes to eject the original. Overlap of originals in the closed loop is avoided by means of switch 150 which de-energizes solenoid 117 until the new original is past it; the first original is thus ejected.