Patent Publication Number: US-7708262-B2

Title: Media handling system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,254 entitled ACCESSORY and filed on Jan. 25, 2005 by Eng Long Goh, Howard Wong, Miquel Boleda and Dennis Sonnenburg, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Many of today&#39;s printer are capable of performing multiple functions, such as printing, duplexing, and using multiple types of print media. Although potentially having greater versatility, such printers may be larger and may be more expensive due to the additional parts and complexity. In addition, such printers may employ extra motors or more powerful motors to provide energy for performing the additional functions. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a media handling system including a main unit and an accessory according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the media handling system of  FIG. 1  illustrating the accessory separated from the main unit according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a latch mechanism of the accessory of  FIG. 2  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the media handling system of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 3A  is an exploded perspective view of a body of the accessory of  FIG. 1  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  illustrating portions of the accessory in opened positions according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  with portions removed for purposes of illustration according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  with portions removed for purposes of illustration according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a swing arm of the accessory according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the swing arm of  FIG. 7  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a swing arm assembly and a portion of a duplex power train including a swing arm interaction hub according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  with portions removed for purposes of illustration according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of one example of the swing arm assembly and the duplex power train of  FIG. 9  in a partially disassembled state according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the swing arm assembly and the duplex power train of  FIG. 11  in an assembled state according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the accessory of  FIG. 1  with portions removed for purposes of illustration according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 14  is side elevational view illustrating the swing arm assembly of  FIG. 9  in a first position relative to the duplex power train of  FIG. 9  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the swing arm assembly of  FIG. 14  in a second position with respect to the duplex power train of  FIG. 14  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the accessory of  FIG. 1  illustrating movement of media through accessory  14  during the supplying of media from accessory  14  and during the duplexing of media by accessory  14  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIGS. 17A-17D  illustrate the positioning of the swing arm assembly of  FIG. 9  with respect to the duplex power train of  FIG. 9  for picking paper from a media tray of the accessory of  FIG. 2  according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  in a paper pick mode according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 19  is top perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 2  with portions removed for purposes of illustrating the accessory in a paper pick mode according to one exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevational view illustrating positioning of the swing arm assembly of  FIG. 9  relative to the duplex power train of  FIG. 9  at the end of a pick operation according to one exemplary embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-4  illustrate media handling system  10  which is configured to manipulate and interact with sheets of media. In particular, media handling system  10  is configured to interact with multiple sides of a sheet of media and is configured to deliver sheets of media from multiple input trays. Although media handling system  10  is specifically described and illustrated as being capable of interacting with multiple sides of a sheet of print media by printing upon multiple sides of a sheet of print media, media handling system  10  may alternatively be configured to interact with sheets of media in other fashions such as scanning and the like. 
   As shown by  FIG. 2 , media handling system  10  includes two main components: main unit  12  and accessory  14 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, main unit  12  comprises a stand alone unit capable of operating independent of accessory  14 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, main unit  12  comprises a printer configured to print upon a sheet  16  of media. As shown by  FIG. 3 , main unit  12  generally includes housing  18 , input tray  20 , motor  22 , transmission  24  ( FIG. 2 ), media feed  26 , print device  28  and controller  30 . Housing  18  generally comprises an assembly of one or more panels and structures configured to enclose or substantially support the remaining components of main unit  12 . Housing  18  cooperates with other components of main unit  12  to form media path  32  along which media from input tray  20  travels within main unit  12  prior to and after being printed upon by printing device  28 . Housing  18  forms an output opening  36  through which printed upon media is expelled from main unit  12 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, output opening  36  is arranged such that printed upon media is expelled from a front  38  of main unit  12  generally above input tray  20 . In other embodiments, output opening  36  may be arranged at other locations depending upon the particular arrangement of media feed  26 , print device  28  and media path  32 . 
   As shown by  FIG. 2 , housing  18  further includes an opening  40  along a rear  42  of main unit  12 . When main unit  12  is being used independent of accessory  14 , opening  40  may be covered or closed by a closable door (not shown) of housing  18  which cooperates with media feed  26  to form media path  32  and to guide movement of media along media path  32 . Movement or removal of the door (not shown) to expose opening  40  provides access to media path  32  to clear media jams along media path  32 . Movement or removal of the door (not shown) exposes opening  40  which further enables accessory  14  to be removably mounted to main unit  12  as will be described in greater detail hereafter. 
   Media input tray  20  is configured to store a single sheet or a stack of multiple sheets of media. In the particular example shown, media input tray  20  extends from a front  38  of main unit  12 . In other embodiments, media input tray  20  may extend in other locations relative to a remainder of main unit  12 . In the particular example illustrated, media input tray  20  is configured to hold sheets of print media such as 8½ inch by 11 inch sheets, A4 size media and the like. In other embodiments, tray  20  may be configured to hold smaller or larger media. 
   Motor  22  (schematically shown in  FIG. 2 ) comprises an electric motor operably coupled to media feed  26  by transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In the particular embodiment illustrated, motor  22  is further operably coupled to print device  28  by transmission  24 . In other embodiments, an alternative motor or drive system may be used for moving print device  28  relative to media or print device  28  may be stationarily supported such as in a page-wide-array printer arrangement. Motor  22  supplies torque to rotatably drive media feed  26  so as to move media through main unit  12  along media path  32 . 
   Transmission  24 , only a portion of which is shown, includes a plurality of components configured to transmit torque from motor  22  to media feed  26  and potentially to print device  28 . Transmission  24  may comprise a series of gears, belts, pulleys, chains and the like for transmitting such torque and for adjusting the rotational speed and torque being transmitted. 
   As shown by  FIG. 3 , media feed  26  comprises a series of members configured to engage and move media from tray  20 , relative to print device  28  and through outlet or discharge port  36 . In the particular embodiment shown, portions of media feed  26  are further configured to move media from accessory  14  relative to print device  28  and through discharge port  36 . Media feed  26  is further configured to move media from main unit  12  into accessory  14  where the media may be overturned or duplexed. In the particular example shown, media feed  26  includes pick roller  44 , feed roller  46  and feed roller  48 . Pick roller  44  engages a sheet  16  of media to move the media about pick roller  44  along media path  32  and across print device  28 . Media feed  26 , which is operably coupled to transmission  24 , may also be used to move media from main unit  12  into accessory  14 . Feed roller  46  is configured to engage media to further control the movement of media relative to print device  28  such as during borderless printing. Feed roller  48  comprises one or more rollers, such as star rollers, configured to further engage and control the movement of media as the media is being printed upon by print device  28 . Feed roller  48  further moves the media through discharge port  36 . Although media feed  26  is illustrated as including a series of rollers, media feed  26  may alternatively include other devices, such as belts, configured to move media within main unit  12  as the media is being printed upon or otherwise being interacted upon. 
   Print device  28  comprises a device configured to print or otherwise form an image upon the print medium. In the particular embodiment illustrated, print device  28  is configured to deposit ink upon a print medium. In one embodiment, print device  28  comprises an inkjet printhead. In other embodiments, print device  28  may include other devices configured to print upon a medium such as a dye sublimination printhead, electrophotographic drum or belt, electrographic drum or belt, or other such printing devices. 
   In the particular embodiment shown, print device  28  is movably supported by a carriage, enabling print device  28  to be transversely scanned across a width of a print medium being moved relative to print device  28  by media feed  26 . In other embodiments, print device  28  may alternatively extend across an entire width of the print medium printed upon. 
   Controller  30  comprises a processing unit in communication with motor  22  and print device  28 . For purposes of this disclosure, the term “processing unit” shall mean a conventionally known or future developed processing unit that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the processing unit to perform steps such as generating control signals. The instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the functions described. Controller  30  is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit. 
   Controller  30  generates control signals which direct the operation of motor  22  to drive media feed  26  and, in particular embodiments, a carriage (not shown) to move print device  28  relative to print media. Controller  30  further generates control signals which direct the operation of print device  28 . In addition, controller  30  receives signals from one or more sensors (not shown) detecting whether accessory  14  is connected to main unit  12 . In response to accessory  14  being connected to main unit  12 , signals from the sensor are transmitted to controller  30  which generates control signals directing a display indicating the availability of media handling options provided by accessory  14  to a user of system  10 . 
   Accessory  14  comprises a module or a supplemental unit configured to be releasably or removably attached to main unit  12  and to main unit  12  and to perform one or more media handling operations. In the particular embodiment illustrated, accessory  14  is configured to provide an alternative, or additional, source of print media and to facilitate overturning or duplexing of media. In other embodiments, accessory  14  may be configured to provide additional or alternative media handling operations such as media folding, stapling, collating, stacking and the like. 
   Accessory  14  generally includes body  100 , latch mechanisms  102 , transmission  104 , rollers  106 ,  108 , media input tray  110  and media pick mechanism  1   12 . Body  100  supports the remaining components of accessory  14  and cooperates with rollers  106 ,  108  to form a duplexing path  116  through which media is overturned. In one embodiment, duplex path is at least 11.69 inches long, enabling A4 size media to be duplexed. In other embodiments, path  116  may have other lengths. 
   As shown by  FIG. 3 , duplex path  116  includes entry and exit portions  118 ,  120 , media turning portions  122 , 124  and intermediate portion  126 . Entry and exit portions  118 ,  120  are those portions of media path  116  through media enters and exits media duplex path  116 . Overturning portions  122 , 124  are those portions of media duplex path  116  in which the media is turned. In the particular example shown, overturning portions  122  and  124  arcuately extend about the rotational axes of rollers  106  and  108 . Intermediate portion  126  extends between overturning portions  122  and  124 . Because media duplex path  116 , and specifically because overturning portions  122  and  124  are within accessory  14 , main unit  12  may omit such additional structures or guides for overturning media in a duplexing operation, enabling main unit  12  to be more compact, less complex and less expensive. At the same time, because media path  116  is substantially subjacent to media input tray  110 , accessory  14  is itself more compact. 
   As shown by  FIGS. 3 and 3A , body  100  generally includes rear guide  130 , inner guide  132 , top guide  134 , bottom guide  135 , flip guide  136 , flap guide  138 , roller assemblies  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  and covers  147  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Rear guide  130  serves as a major structure for body  100  in that the majority of the remaining parts and subassemblies of accessory  14  attach to rear guide  130 . Rear guide  130  rotatably supports rollers  106  and  108 . Rear guide  130  cooperates with inner guide  132  to form portions  118 ,  120 ,  122  and  124  of duplex path  116 . 
   Inner guide  132  is coupled to rear guide  130  and is configured to cooperate with rear guide  130  to form portions of media duplex path  116 . Inner guide  132  is generally positioned between rear guide  130  and top guide  134 . Inner guide  132  cooperates with top guide  134  to form intermediate portion  126  of path  116 . Inner guide  132  diverts media from top guide  134  over rollers  106  and  108 , guides media from tray  110  into main unit  12 , guides media from bottom tray  150  to media path  116  and towards main unit  12 . Inner guide includes a squaring bar  152  for de-skewing media. 
   Top guide  134  comprises one or more structures configured to guide the media from roller  106  to roller  108  and to form intermediate portion  126  of duplex path  116 . In addition, in the embodiment illustrated, top guide  134  also serves as a cover. In particular, as shown by  FIG. 4 , media input tray  110  is pivotally coupled to body  100  such that media input tray  110  pivots in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 4 ). Top guide  134  is pivotally coupled to body  100  which enables top guide  134  to pivot in a clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 4 ) away from portion  126  of duplex path  116 . Pivotal movement of top guide  134  away from duplex path  116  exposes rollers  106  and  108  and portion  126  of duplex path  116  to facilitate a clean out of media jams along duplex path  116 . 
   In the particular embodiment illustrated, top guide  134  is retained in a raised or closed position by a latch mechanism  154  which may be actuated without the use of tools. Latch mechanism  154  further secures tray  110  in an operating position. As shown by  FIG. 4 , latch mechanism  154  includes hooks  156  which may be positioned within corresponding recesses  157  and retained or released by actuation of over center actuation mechanism  158 . In other embodiments, top guide  134  may be retained in the closed position by other fastening or connection mechanisms. 
   Bottom guide  135  comprises an elongate structure configured to partially encircle a portion of roller  108 . Bottom guide  135  further cooperates with rear guide  130  to form media feed path  159  which is in communication with duplex path  116 . Media feed path  159  enables media from a lower media source such as a lower input tray  150  (schematically shown) to be input into main unit  12 . Bottom guide  135  additionally pivotally supports top guide  134 . 
   Flip guide  136  comprises one or more structures positioned adjacent to portion  120  of duplex path  116  and configured to direct media exiting duplex path  116  into main unit  12 . In the particular example shown, flip guide  136  comprises a single elongate structure having multiple fingers  160  which interact with media. Flip guide  136  is pivotally coupled to inner guide  132  and pivots about axis  161  to provide a smooth hand off of media to main unit  12 . 
   Flap guide  138  comprises one or more structures adjacent to portion  118  of duplex path  116  and configured to guide media entering duplex path  116 . In the particular example shown, flap guide  138  comprises a single elongate structure including multiple flaps  162  which project upward towards fingers  160  and which have a lower concave surface  163  which is configured to smoothly transition media being moved about pick roller  44  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Each flap  162  has an upper surface  164  opposite the lower surface of a corresponding finger  160  so as to guide media passing between fingers  160  and flaps  162 . Flap guide  138  is pivotally coupled to rear guide  130  so as to pivot between a tray exit position in which guide  138  provides a substantially smooth media path for media input from tray  110  into main unit  12  and a duplexer exit position in which guide  138  provides a substantially smooth media path for media exiting duplex path  116  and entering main unit  12 . 
   As shown by  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  5 , roller assemblies  140 ,  142  and  144  are substantially identical to one another in that each roller assembly  140 ,  142 ,  144  includes a roller  165  rotatably supported by one or more roller springs  166  (shown in  FIG. 3A ), which serve as axles for each roller  165 . Roller assemblies  140  are rotatably coupled to rear guide  130  and extend below guides  136 . Roller assemblies  140  are configured to generally extend opposite to rollers  44  of media feed  26  of main unit  12  when accessory  14  is connected to main unit  12 . Roller assemblies  140  serve as pinch rollers for pinching media against rollers  44  as media is rotatably driven about rollers  44  and below guides  136 . 
   As shown by  FIGS. 3A and 4 , roller assemblies  142  and  144  are generally located opposite to rollers  106  and  108 , respectively. Roller assemblies  142  are rotatably coupled to top guide  134 . Roller assemblies  144  are rotatably coupled to bottom guide  135 . Roller assemblies  142  and  144  facilitate movement of media within duplex path  116  about rollers  106  and  108 . 
   Roller assemblies  146  are rotatably coupled to rear guide  130  between and above guides  138 . Roller assemblies  146  facilitate movement of media between rear guide  130  and guides  138 . 
   As further shown by  FIG. 5 , roller assemblies  146  additionally include roller sleds  168 . Roller sleds  168  straddle rollers  165  of roller assemblies  146  and serve as guards to prevent media from crashing into rollers  165  of roller assemblies  146  when media is moving backward into duplex path  116 . Roller sleds  168  provide a ramp surface that guides the media over the remainder of roller assemblies  146  into duplex path  116 , allowing the media to transition around rollers  106  and  108  and to move smoothly within accessory  14 . 
   Because body  100  provides a duplex path  116  which extends below the media input path from tray  110 , accessory  14  is compact. Because body  100  is configured such that portion  118  of duplex path  116  also serves as a media input path for media being input to main unit  12  from tray  110 , accessory  14  may operate with less parts and is also more compact. Although body  100  is illustrated and described as including rear guide  130 , inner guide  132 , top guide  134 , flip guide  136  and flap guide  138 , body  100  may alternatively include a greater or fewer number of such guides having similar or dissimilar configurations. 
   Latch mechanisms  102  comprise retainers configured to releasably attach or connect accessory  14  to main unit  12 . As shown by  FIG. 2 , accessory  14  connects to main unit  12  through opening  40  at a rear  42  of main unit  12 . Portions of rear guide  130  and accessory transmission  104  are received within main unit  12  through opening  40 . Latch mechanisms  102  are located on opposite sides of accessory  14 . As shown by  FIG. 2A , latch mechanisms  102  each include hook or wedge  169 , spring  170 , actuator  171  and connection indicator  172 . Hooks  169  each comprise elongate rigid members having tips  173  and arms  174 . Arms  174  extend from tips  173  and to engagement with spring  170 . Tips  173  and arms  174  move between an extended position (shown) and a retracted position. Spring  170  engages a bar (not shown) interconnecting arms  174  and resiliently biases arms  174  and tips  173  to the extended position shown. Actuator  171  comprises a button formed along side cover  147  and configured to be pivoted so as to manually depress arms  174  against the bias of spring  170  to move tips  173  to the retracted position. 
   Connection indicator  172  comprises a mechanism configured to indicate the connection of accessory  14  to main unit  12  to controller  30 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, indicator  172  includes a circuit board  175  carrying a resistor  176  which is in electrical communication with electrical contacts  177 . Upon accessory  14  being connected to accessory  14 , contacts  177  are brought into electrical contact with corresponding contacts (not shown) of main unit  12  which are in electrical contact with controller  30  to enable the connection of accessory  14  to be electrically detected by controller  30 . 
   During connection of accessory to main unit  12 , tips  173  engage corresponding mounting portions  184  of main unit  12  and are depressed or moved to their retracted positions against the bias of spring  170 . After full insertion, spring  170  urges tips  173  to their extended positions within corresponding openings  186  in mounting portions  184 . To disconnect accessory  14 , actuators  171  are depressed, moving tips  173  to their retracted position against the bias of springs  170  and withdrawing tips  173  from openings  186 . Thereafter, accessory  14  may be pulled from opening  40  of main unit  12 . 
   In alternative embodiments, various other latch mechanisms or retaining means may be employed to retain accessory  14  relative to main unit  12 . In some embodiments, connection indicator  172  may be omitted or may be provided with alternative electronics or mechanisms configured to indicate or communicate the complete connection of accessory  14  to main unit  12 . In the particular example illustrated, only one of latch mechanisms  102  includes connection indicator  172 . In other embodiments, both latch mechanisms  102  may alternatively include connection indicator  172 . 
   Accessory transmission  104  includes a series of members configured to selectively deliver power or torque from transmission  24  of main unit  12  to rollers  106 ,  108  and media driving mechanism  112 . In the particular example shown, transmission  104  includes a connection gear  189  which meshes with an output gear  190  of transmission  24  when accessory  14  is connected to main unit  12 . As will be described in greater detail hereafter, input gear  189  may be selectively and operably coupled to at least one of rollers  106 ,  108  and media driving mechanism  112  via a series of gears, clutches and other mechanisms. Because transmission  104  meshes with transmission  24  upon connection of accessory  14  to main unit  12 , accessory  14  may derive all of its needed power or torque from main unit  12  without additional motors or other power sources associated with accessory  14 . As a result, accessory  14  is more compact, is less complex and is less expensive to manufacture. 
   Rollers  106 ,  108  are rotatably supported adjacent to duplex path  116 . In the particular example shown, both rollers  106  and  108  are rotatably driven by torque transmitted via transmission  104  from main unit  12 . Rollers  106  and  108  are configured to engage media during duplexing to move media along duplex path  116  and so as to overturn media. In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , media is overturned as it is being rotated about the rotational axes of rollers  106  and  108 . In other embodiments, rollers  106  and  108  may alternatively be replaced with other devices configured to grasp and to move media along duplex path  116 . For example, in other embodiments, rollers  106  and  108  may be replaced with one or more endless belts rotatably supported about a plurality of axes. 
   Media input tray  110  comprises an arrangement of structures configured to store and support a single sheet or a stack of sheets of media for being fed or supplied to main unit  12 . In the particular example shown, tray  110  supports sheets of print media in an inclined orientation with lower edges of such sheets facing in a downward direction. Media input tray  110  is mounted to body  100  at a rear of body  100  and generally includes floor  191 , back  192 , lateral enclosures  194 ,  196  and width adjust  198 . Floor  191  serves as a base or foundation for tray  110  and is arranged so as to contact a lower edge of a sheet or sheets of media stored within tray  110 . As shown by  FIG. 3 , floor  191  is inclined relative to horizontal and relative to back  192 . The inclination of floor  191  provides a transition surface for movement of a sheet of media into media feed path  200  (which is partially coextensive with portion  118  of duplex path  116 ) by media driving mechanism  112  and media driving rollers  202  which cooperate with pinch rollers  204 . In other embodiments, floor  191  may extend at other orientations. 
   Back  192  comprises one or more members configured to support a stack of media upon floor  191  in an inclined orientation. In particular, back  192  is configured to bear against and support a rear face of a rearward most sheet of a stack of media. In the particular example illustrated, back  192  includes a compressible portion  206  extending generally opposite to a portion of media driving mechanism  112 . Portion  206  is formed from a compressible material such as cork. Portion  206  cooperates with an opposite portion of driving mechanism  112  to facilitate picking of individual sheets of media when the total number of sheets of media are reduced in number. In other embodiments, portion  206  may be omitted. 
   Lateral enclosures  194 ,  196  extend along opposite edges of back  192 . Lateral enclosure  194  is configured to provide a hard stop for width adjuster  198 . Enclosure  196  is configured to provide a registration surface for the lateral edges of a stack of media stored within tray  110 . Width adjuster  198  comprises an elongate rigid panel providing a surface which is movable towards and away from lateral enclosure  196 . Width adjuster  198  enables tray  110  to engage both side edges of a stack of media having different widths. In the particular example illustrated, tray  116  is specifically configured to hold smaller size media such as 4 inch by 6 inch photo media, postcards, L-sized media and the like. In the particular example shown, width adjuster  198  is configured to be spaced from an inner registration surface of lateral enclosure  196  by a maximum distance of five inches. In other embodiments, tray  110  may be configured to alternatively store other sizes and types of media. 
   Media drive mechanism  112  comprises a mechanism configured to initially pick a sheet of media from tray  110  and move the picked media towards roller  202  and into media feed path  200 . Media drive mechanism  112  generally includes linkage or arm  210 , media driver  212  and media driver cover  214 . Arm  210  generally comprises an elongate structure or combination of structures extending from a lower portion of tray  110  so as to support media driver  212  opposite back  192 . Arm  210  further supports a portion of transmission  104  used for transmitting power to drive member  212 . Arm  210  is pivotally coupled to tray  110  so as to pivot between a loading position in which media driver  212  and cover  214  are spaced from back  192  for loading media in tray  110  and a picking position in which media driver  212  is positioned against a stack media stored within tray  110 . 
   In the particular embodiment illustrated, arm  210  is operably coupled to a deslouch system  216  associated with floor  191 . Deslouch system  216  includes a plurality of members having high friction surfaces which are pivoted or otherwise elevated above floor  191  in response to arm  210  being pivoted to the loading position. The high friction surfaces grip or engage the lower edges of media within tray  110  to prevent the media from fanning. Upon the supply of torque to media driver  212 , the high friction members are automatically lowered to below floor  191  to facilitate picking of a sheet of media and the movement of a sheet of media into media feed path  200 . In other embodiments, accessory  14  may omit the deslouch system. 
   Media driver  212  comprises a member to be rotatably driven while in engagement with a frontward most sheet of a stack of media within tray  110  so as to pick the sheet of media for movement from tray  110 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, media driver  212  comprises a pick tire or roller configured to be rotatably driven by torque transmitted through transmission  104 . In other embodiments, media driver  212  may alternatively comprise other pick mechanisms such as one or more belts rotatably driven about a plurality of axes. 
   Pick tire cover  214  comprises a member extending partially about media driver  212  and configured to provide a handle for enabling a user to manually move arm  210  towards the loading position. In the particular example shown, cover  214  additionally bears against a frontward most sheet of a stack of media within tray  110 . In other embodiments, cover  214  may alternatively not engage media or may be omitted. 
     FIGS. 5-9  illustrate accessory  14  in greater detail. In particular,  FIG. 5  illustrates accessory  14  with covers  147  removed.  FIG. 6  illustrates accessory  14  with tray  110  and top guide  134  removed to illustrate rollers  106  and  202 .  FIG. 6  further illustrates portions of arm  210  removed to illustrate portions of transmission  104 . 
   As shown by  FIG. 6 , transmission  104  additionally includes dial mechanism  228  including input gear  189 , intermediate gear  230  and swing arm assembly  232 , duplex power train  236 , media drive power train  238  and swing arm assembly  240 . Intermediate gear  230 , swing arm assembly  232 , duplex power train  236 , media drive power train  238  and swing arm assembly  240  form a collective power train for selectively transmitting torque from input gear  189  to duplex rollers  106 ,  108 , media driver  212 , intermediate gears  230  and deslouch system  216  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Intermediate gear  230  comprises a gear in rotatable meshable engagement between input gear  189  and swing arm assembly  232 . Gear  230  transmits torque from input gear  189  to swing arm assembly  232 . 
   Swing arm assembly  232  selectively transmits torque from intermediate gear  230  to duplex power train  236  of transmission  104 . As shown by  FIG. 9 , swing arm assembly  232  includes cluster gear  242 , swing arm  244  and gears  246 ,  248 . Cluster gear  242  includes an outer gear  250  and an inner gear  252  which rotate together about a common axis. Outer gear  250  is in meshing engagement with intermediate gear  230 . Inner gear  252  is in meshing engagement with gear  246 . Cluster gear  242  is releasably clutched to swing arm  244  between outer gear  250  and inner gear  252  so as to rotate with cluster gear  242  about axis  254  when swing arm  244  and gears  246 ,  248  are out of engagement with duplex power train  236  or when swing arm  244  and gears  246 ,  248  are being rotatably driven about axis  254  out of engagement with duplex power train  236 . At the same time, when swing arm  244  or gears  246 ,  248  are in engagement with duplex power train  236 , cluster gear  242  may be rotatably driven about axis  254  relative to swing arm  244  as swing arm  244  remains stationary. In the particular example illustrated, cluster gear  242  is releasably clutched to swing-arm  244  by one or more springs (not shown) held by fasteners and urging swing arm  244  into frictional engagement with cluster gear  242 . In other embodiments, cluster gear  242  may be releasably clutched to swing arm  244  in other fashions. 
   As shown by  FIGS. 7 and 8 , swing arm  244 , sometimes referred to as a gear carrier, comprises a single integral unitary body formed out of a relatively rigid material such as plastic or metal. Swing arm  244  includes hub  258 , gear support  260 , stop neutral  262  and hook  264 . Hub  258  comprises that portion of swing arm  244  which is releasably clutched to cluster gear  242 . Hub  258  includes a central opening  266  through which outer gear  250  and inner gear  252  are connected to one another on opposite sides of hub  258 . Gear support  260  radially projects from hub  258  and includes apertures  268  and  270  for rotatably supporting gears  246  and  248 , respectively. Stop neutral  262  comprises a projection extending from support  260  and forming a notch or recess  272 . As will be described in greater detail hereafter, recess  272  provides a surface by which swing arm  244  engages or abuts a selectively positioned portion of duplex portion  236  to space gear  248  from engagement with duplex portion  236  and to maintain transmission  104  in a neutral mode. 
   Hook  264  projects from an opposite side of support  260  as stop neutral  262 . As will be described in greater detail hereafter, hook  264  is configured to be rotated about axis  254  into various engagement positions with duplex portion  236 . In one position, hook  264  enables swing arm  244  to be held in place as gear  246  is in engagement with duplex portion  236  and while cluster gear  242  is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 18  to move swing arm assembly  240  and to transmit torque to media drive portion  238  of transmission  104 . 
   As shown by  FIG. 9 , gear  246  comprises a gear rotatably coupled to support  260  of swing arm  244  via aperture  268 . Gear  248  comprises a gear rotatably coupled to support  260  of swing arm  244  via opening  270 . Gear  248  is in meshing engagement with gear  246 . Gear  246  is in meshing engagement with inner gear  252  of cluster gear  242 . 
   Duplex power train  236  comprises that portion of transmission  104  configured to transmit torque from swing arm assembly  232  to rollers  106 ,  108  and to swing arm assembly  240 . Duplex portion  236  includes cluster gear  280 , swing arm interaction hub  282 , lower gear  284 , lower shaft  286  (shown in  FIG. 13 ), upper gear  288 , upper shaft  290 , gears  294 ,  296  and cluster gear  292  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). Cluster gear  280  is located between gears  284  and  288 . Cluster gear  280  includes inner gear  304  and outer gear  306 . Inner gear  304  includes teeth which are configured to be meshed with the teeth of either gear  248  or gear  246 , depending upon the position of swing arm  244 . Outer gear  306  is fixed to inner gear  304  and is in meshing engagement with each of gears  284  and  288  as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
   Carrier interaction hub  282  interacts with swing arm  244  during neutral and pick modes. 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , hub  282  includes two opposing portions  324 ,  326 . Portion  324  is releasably clutched to cluster gear  280  so as to rotate with cluster gear  280  about axis  310  and so as to enable cluster gear  280  to rotate relative to hub  282  about axis  310  when hub  282  is in engagement with swing arm  244 . Portion  324  of hub  282  is releasably clutched to cluster gear  280  by a spring (not shown) held by a fastener against one of hub  282  and gear  280  so as to urge hub  282  and gear  280  into frictional engagement. In other embodiments, other clutching mechanisms may be used to releasably clutch portion  324  to cluster gear  280 . 
   Portion  324  includes projection  314  and finger  315  while portion  326  includes bar  316  and groove  317 . Projection  314  projects from a remainder of hub  282  and provides a surface  318  configured to abut or contact a surface of recess  272  of neutral stop  262  when swing arm assembly  232  is in the neutral position. Projection  314  is further configured such that when surface  318  contacts or abuts surface  272 , gear  248  is spaced from gear  304  such that torque is not transmitted to duplex portion  236  of transmission  104 , to rollers  106 ,  108 , to media drive portion  238  of transmission  104  or to media driver  212 . Finger  315  projects further from projection  314  and is configured to interact with groove  317  of portion  326  as will be described in greater detail hereafter. 
   Portion  326  extends opposite portion  324  such that groove  317  receives finger  315 . Groove  317  includes opposite ends  319  and  321 . Portion  326  is clutched along axis  310  by a spring such that portion  326  is generally static unless being rotated by rotation of finger  315  of portion  324  against groove end  321 . 
   Bar  316  projects from a portion  326  of hub  282  to provide a surface  320  adjacent an opening, channel or slot  322  sized and located to receive hook  264  when swing arm assembly  232  has been moved to the pick position for transmitting torque to media driver  212 . As shown by  FIG. 12 , portions  324  and  326  are spaced by a gap sufficient to enable hook  264  to pass between portions  324  and  326  with the channel or recess  273  or hook  264  receiving bar  316 . In other embodiments, hub  282  may have other configurations. 
   Gears  284  and  288  are fixed to shafts  286  and  290 , respectively, and are rotatably supported by rear guide  230  which serves as a frame for rotatably supporting shafts  286  and  288 . As shown by  FIG. 10 , shaft  286  is coupled to rollers  108 . Shaft  290  is coupled to rollers  106  and is further coupled to gear  292  such that rotation of shaft  290  results in gear  292  being rotated. 
   Gear  292  comprises a cluster gear which includes outer gear  300  and inner gear  302 . Outer gear  300  comprises a gear in meshing engagement with gear  294 . Gear  294  comprises a gear rotatably supported in meshing engagement with gear  296 . Gear  296  comprises a gear rotatably supported in meshing engagement with gear  298 . Gear  298  is coupled to intermediate shaft  301  which supports and rotatably drives intermediate rollers  202  at an appropriate torque and speed. Inner gear  302  comprises a gear in operable engagement with swing arm assembly  240 . 
   Media drive power train  238  is configured to transmit torque to media driver  212 . As shown by  FIG. 19 , media drive power train  238  of transmission  104  includes an input gear  328 , an output gear  330  connected to a shaft  332  that is connected to drive member  212  and a plurality of intermediate gears  334  between gear  328  and gear  334 , forming a gear train therebetween. Each of gears  328 ,  330  and  334  are rotatably supported by arm  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Although media drive portion  238  is illustrated as including a multitude of gears forming a gear train, media drive power train  238  may alternatively include a greater or fewer number of such gears or may include other means for transmitting torque from input gear  328  to shaft  332  I and media driver  212  such as belt and pulley arrangements, chain and sprocket arrangements, toothed belt and toothed sprocket arrangements and the like. 
   Swing arm assembly  240  comprises a series of components configured to selectively transmit torque to media drive power train  238  of transmission  104 . Swing arm assembly  240  generally includes cluster gear  340 , swing arm  342  and idler gear  344 . Cluster gear  340  includes outer gear  346  and inner gear  348 . Outer gear  346  comprises a gear rotatably supported in meshing engagement with inner gear  302  of cluster gear  292 . Inner gear  348  comprises a gear fixed to outer gear  346  and in meshing engagement with idler gear  344 . Inner gear  348  additionally includes an axially extending cylindrical axle portion  350  about which swing arm  342  is free to rotate. 
   Swing arm  342  comprises an elongate member having a central portion secured to axle portion  350  so as to freely rotate relative to axle portion  350  and having an end portion releasably clutched to idler gear  344  such that torque applied to idler gear  344  by inner gear  348  rotates idler gear  344  and swing arm  342  about axle portion  350  together in substantial unison until further rotation of swing arm  342  about axle portion  350  is prevented. Discontinuance of the rotation of swing arm  342  about axle portion  350  results in idler gear  342  continuing to rotate relative to swing arm  342 . Rotation of swing arm  342  about axle portion  350  is discontinued when idler gear  344  is brought into engagement with input gear  328  during counter-clockwise rotation of swing arm  342  about axle portion  350  (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) or when projection  354  of swing arm  342  engages a portion of a stationary housing or chassis of accessory  14 , such as top guide  134 , during counter-clockwise rotation of swing arm  342  about axle portion  350  (as seen in  FIG. 10 ). 
   In the particular embodiment illustrated, idler gear  344  is releasably clutched to swing arm  342  by a compression spring held against and urging idler gear  344  into frictional engagement with swing arm  342 . In other I embodiments, idler gear  344  may be releasably clutched to swing arm  342  by other clutching methods. Because idler gear  344  is being rotatably driven at a relatively lower speed and greater torque as compared to inner gear  348 , torque and power requirements are reduced. In other embodiments, idler gear  344  may alternatively freely rotate relative to swing arm  342  while axle portion  350  is releasably clutched to swing arm  342 . 
     FIGS. 13-19  illustrate accessory  14  operating in a neutral mode, a duplexing/feeding mode and a media pick mode. In the neutral mode, rollers  106 ,  108 , media drive portion  236 , media driver  212 , and media drive power train  238  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) are not driven. In particular, gears  246  and  248  are simply idled rather than being positioned in engagement with gear  304 . As a result, when accessory  14  is mounted to main unit  12 , but is not being utilized, less power is consumed. 
   To actuate transmission to the neutral mode, controller  30  generates control signals causing motor  22  to drive main unit transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) which is engagement with input gear  189  of accessory transmission  104  so as to further drive input gear  189 , gear  230  and gear  242  in the directions indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 15 . This results in swing arm  244  being rotated about axis  254  so as to position gear  248  in engagement with gear  304 . This further results in gear  280  being rotatably driven in a clockwise direction. The rotation of gear  280  causes portion  324  of hub  282  which is clutched to it, to move along with it in clockwise rotation, until portion  314  hits the side of stop neutral  262  of swing arm  244 . Further rotation of gear  280  does not cause any movement of hub  282 . Swing arm  244  is subsequently driven in the clockwise direction, causing gear  246  to mesh with gear  304  as seen in  FIG. 14 . This drags hub  282  for a slight distance, when the move stops. The positioning of swing arm  244  and of hub  282  is detected or known to controller  30  by means of an encoder associated with motor  22  which transmits position signals to controller  30 . In other embodiments, the encoder may alternatively be associated with transmission  24  or transmission  104 . In other embodiments, the positioning of swing arm  244  and/or the positioning of hub  282  may be detected and communicated to controller  30  by various other means such as optical sensors, magnetic sensors and the like. 
   Once projection  314  is in the position shown in  FIG. 13 , controller  30  generates control signals causing motor  22  to drive transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in a direction such input gear  189 , gear  230  and gear  242  is driven in the direction of the arrows shown in  FIG. 13 . This results in swing arm  244  being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 13  to position surface  272  of stop neutral  262  against or in abutting contact with surface  318  of projection  314 . Consequently, gear  248  is spaced from and out of engagement with gear  280  of duplex portion  236  of transmission  104 . This neutral mode may be maintained until either the duplexing mode or the pick mode is desired. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate accessory  14  while transmission  104  is in the duplex mode. In particular, after main unit  12  has interacted with a first side of media, such as printing upon the first side of media, controller  30  generates control signals causing motor  22  to drive pick roller  44  of main unit  12  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in a reverse direction, moving media from main unit  12  into portion  118  of duplex path  116  of accessory  14 . The media is fed into duplex path  116  by roller  44  until the entire sheet is contained within accessory  14  as determined by a flag or sensor  341 . As roller  44  is driving media from main unit  12  into duplex path  116  of accessory  14 , gears  189 ,  230  and  242  are driven in the direction indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 14 . As shown by  FIG. 16 , this results in rollers  106  and  108  being rotatably driven in a clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 16 ). Once the media is completely received within duplex path  116  as indicated to controller  30  by a sensor controller  30  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) generates control signals causing motor  22  to drive roller  44  in a forward direction once again. This also results in gears  189 ,  230  and  242  being rotatably driven in the direction indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 15 . As a result, swing arm  244  rotates in a counter-clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 15 ) to position gear  248  in meshing engagement with gear  280 . As a result, torque is transmitted to rollers  106  and  108  to continue driving rollers  106  and  108  in the clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 16 . This results in media within duplex path  116  to be driven about duplex path  116  and to be overturned prior to being once again being engaged by roller  44  of main unit  12  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Once the media is engaged by roller  44  of main unit  12 , the media is moved through main unit  12  for printing or other interaction with the second side of the media. 
   FIGS.  10  and  16 - 19  illustrate transmission. 104  and accessory  14  in a media pick mode.  FIG. 20  illustrates the unlocking of transmission  104  from the pick mode and readying transmission  104  for a media feed mode as shown in  FIG. 15 . As shown by  FIG. 17A , to actuate transmission  104  and accessory  14  to a media pick mode, controller  30  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) generates control signals causing motor  22  to drive the main unit transmission  24  in a reverse direction which causes swing arm assembly  232  to be rotatably driven in a clockwise direction about axis  254  to bring gear  246  into engagement with gear  280 . Gear  280  is rotatably driven until projection  314  is moved generally to the position shown in  FIG. 17A . During rotation of gear  280 , portion  324  of hub  282  is also rotatably driven in a clockwise direction with finger  315  engaging groove end  321  to also rotate portion  326  until projection  314  engages hook  264 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 17B , controller  30  generates control signals directing motor  22  to drive transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in a forward direction such that swing assembly  232  rotates counter-clockwise (as seen in  FIG. 17B ) to position gear  248  in engagement with gear  280 . Motor  22  continues to drive gear  248  in the direction indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 17B  to rotate gear  280  and hub  282  a slight distance in the clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 17B ) to reposition projection  314  such that hook  264  may be rotated about axis  254  to a position between projection  314  and bar  316 . 
   As shown by  FIG. 17C , controller  30  generates control signals directing motor  22  to drive transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) once again in a reverse direction to rotate swing arm assembly  232  in a clockwise direction about axis  254  so as to position hook  264  between projection  314  and bar  316  and to position gear  246  into meshing engagement with gear  304 . Therefore, motor  22  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) continues to drive gear  246  and gear  280  in the directions indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 17C  to position bar  316  within channel  273  of hook  264  as shown in  FIGS. 17D and 18 . 
   Once bar  316  and hook  264  are engaged as shown in  FIG. 17D and 18 , controller  30  generates control signals directing motor  22  to drive transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in a forward direction which results in gears  242 ,  246  and  248  being driven in the directions indicated by the arrows shown in  FIGS. 17D and 18 . As a result, gear  246  drives gear  280  in a counter-clockwise direction (as seen in  FIGS. 17D and 18 ) relative to hub  282  which is held substantially stationary by the engagement of bar  316  with hook  264 . The counter-clockwise rotation of gear  280  in  FIG. 17D  results in finger  315  sliding within groove  317  from end  321  towards end  319 . However, finger  315  engages hook  264  prior to reaching end  319 . As a result, portion  326  of hub  282  remains static with bar  316  captured by hook  264  during the counter-clockwise rotation of gear  280 . 
   As shown by  FIG. 18 , the counter-clockwise rotation of gear  280  results in gears  284  and  288  being driven in a clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 18 ). As shown by  FIG. 10 , clockwise rotation of gear  288  results in shaft  290  being rotated in the clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) and results in gear  92  also being rotatably driven in the clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 10 . Gear  302  of cluster gear  292  is driven in the clockwise direction so as to drive gears  346  and  348  in a counter-clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 10 ). Gear  348  drives idler gear  344  in a clockwise direction. Because idler gear  344  is releasably clutched to swing arm  342 , this results in swing arm  342  being rotated about axle portion  350  in the direction indicated by arrow  400  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 19  until idler gear  344  is brought into meshing engagement with input gear  328  of media drive train  238 . Thereafter, gear  348  continues to drive idler gear  344  in a clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) relative to swing arm  342  so as to supply torque to drive train  238 . The torque is transmitted through gears  328 ,  334  and  104  to shaft  332  which rotatably drives media driver  212  to pick or otherwise move a sheet of media within tray  110  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) and to move the sheet of media into engagement with intermediate rollers  202  which continue to drive the media through feed path  200  and through portion  118  of duplex path  116  into main unit  12 . 
   Once the sheet of media being driven by intermediate rollers  202  has been disengaged from media driver  212  as indicated by one or more sensors or flags (not shown) transmitting signals to controller  30 , the pick of further media sheets is discontinued by controller  30  generating control signals directing motor  22  to temporarily drive transmission  24  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in a reverse direction, causing gear  280  to be rotatably driven in a clockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 20 ) which also causes hub  282  to rotate with gear  280  and to withdraw bar  316  from slot  273  of hook  264 . In particular, finger  315  is rotated and slid within groove  317  until contacting end  321 . Once finger  315  is in contact with end  321 , continued rotation of gear  280  and portion  324  results in portion  326  and its bar  316  also being rotated in a clockwise direction so as to be withdrawn from slot  273  of hook  264 . Once bar  316  is withdrawn from hook  264 , controller  30  generates control signals directing motor  22  to drive transmission  24  in the forward direction which results in swing arm assembly  240  rotating about axis  254  to the position shown in  FIG. 15 . Thereafter, motor  22  continues to drive transmission  24  in the forward direction such that intermediate rollers  202  continue to move the pick sheet of media towards and into main unit  12  until the sheet of media is engaged by pick roller  44  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Pick roller  44  continues to move the sheet of media within main unit  12  for interaction on a first side of the media. In the example shown, print device  28  prints upon the first side of media. Once printed upon, the sheet of media may be discharged through outlet opening  36  or may be duplexed as described above. 
   Although the aforementioned has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present invention described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.