Patent Publication Number: US-7909524-B2

Title: Folding edge guide assembly for an imaging apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and, more particularly, to a folding edge guide assembly for an imaging apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An imaging apparatus may be in the form of a printer, or a multifunction machine, also known as an all-in-one (AIO) machine, which includes scanning and copying capabilities in addition to printing. 
     The print engine of the printer or the AIO may include, for example, an ink jet print engine that typically forms an image on a sheet of print media by ejecting ink from at least one ink jet printhead to place ink dots on the sheet of print media. Such an ink jet print engine typically includes a reciprocating printhead carrier. Mounted to the carrier is one or more printhead cartridges, each including an ink supply and at least one printhead. The carrier transports the ink jet printheads across the sheet of print media along a bi-directional scanning path defining a print zone of the print engine. The bidirectional scanning path is oriented parallel to a main scan direction, also commonly referred to as the horizontal direction. 
     Typically, a sheet of print media is picked from a stack of print media supported in a media tray, and transported by a feed roller to the print zone for printing. An indexing mechanism drives the feed roller to incrementally advance the sheet of print media in a sheet feed direction, also commonly referred to as a sub-scan direction, through the print zone between scans in the main scan direction, or after all data intended to be printed on the sheet of print media at a particular stationary position has been completed. 
     Some imaging apparatus include a foldable media support. The foldable media support serves as an extension of a stationary base media support formed in the housing of the imaging apparatus. When the foldable media support is folded out to an operating position, a stack of print media may be accommodated. While it may be desirable to provide a media edge guide near to the middle of the stack height of the stack of print media, the location of the axis of rotation of the foldable media support has limited the placement of the media edge guide. In one such imaging apparatus utilizing such a configuration of the media support, for example, the media edge guide is mounted to the stationary base media support, and in turn, provides edge support only near the bottom of the stack of print media in the print media feed direction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, in one form thereof, is directed to a media edge guide assembly for use in an imaging apparatus having a media supply source. The media edge guide assembly includes a first edge guide portion and a second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are arranged to have an axis of rotation passing through the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are laterally interconnected to facilitate movement as a unit in a lateral direction along the axis of rotation, and the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to the axis of rotation to permit the first edge guide portion to rotate around the axis of rotation independent of the second edge guide portion. 
     The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to an imaging apparatus including a media supply source for feeding a sheet of media in a media feed direction. The imaging apparatus includes a base including a stationary media support. A movable media support is pivotably connected to the base to pivot around an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is substantially orthogonal to the media feed direction. The movable media support has a stowed position and an operating position, wherein when the movable media support is in the operating position, the stationary media support and the movable media support cooperate to hold a supply of print media. A first edge guide portion is mounted to the movable media support. The first edge guide portion is movable in a lateral direction along the axis of rotation. A second edge guide portion operates as an extension of the first edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are laterally interconnected to move as a unit in the lateral direction along the axis of rotation to adjust to a width of the supply of print media. In addition, the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to the axis of rotation to permit the first edge guide portion to rotate around the axis of rotation in conjunction with the movable media support independent of the second edge guide portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic depiction of a system embodying the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a media supply source of the imaging apparatus of  FIG. 1  including a base having a stationary media support, and with a movable media support positioned in an operating position. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged portion of the media supply source of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic side sectional view of the media supply source of  FIG. 2  with the movable media support positioned in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the folding media edge guide of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a diagrammatic depiction of an imaging system  10 . Imaging system  10  may include an imaging apparatus  12  and a host  14 , with imaging apparatus  12  communicating with host  14  via a communications link  16 . 
     Imaging apparatus  12  may be configured to communicate with host  14  via a standard communication protocol, such as for example, universal serial bus (USB) or Ethernet. As used herein, the term “communications link” is used to generally refer to structure that facilitates electronic communication between two components, and may operate using wired or wireless technology. Communications link  16  may be established, for example, by a direct cable connection, wireless connection or by a network connection such as for example an Ethernet local area network (LAN). 
     Alternatively, imaging apparatus  12  may be a standalone unit that is not communicatively linked to a host, such as host  14 . For example, imaging apparatus  12  may take the form of a multifunction machine, e.g., an all-in-one (AIO) device, which includes standalone copying and facsimile capabilities, in addition to optionally serving as a printer when attached to a host, such as host  14 . Imaging apparatus  12  includes, for example, a controller  18 , a print engine  20 , a scanner  22  and a user interface  24 . 
     Controller  18  includes a processor unit and associated memory, such as memory  25 , and may be formed as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Controller  18  communicates with print engine  20  via a communications link  26 . Controller  18  communicates with scanner  22  via a communications link  28 . Controller  18  communicates with user interface  24  via a communications link  30 . Communications links  26 ,  28  and  30  may be established, for example, by using standard electrical cabling or bus structures, or by wireless connection. 
     In the context of the examples for imaging apparatus  12  given above, print engine  20  may be, for example, an ink jet print engine configured for forming an image on a sheet of print media  32 , such as a sheet of paper, transparency or fabric. As an ink jet print engine, for example, print engine  20  operates one or more printing cartridges and/or printheads to eject ink droplets onto the sheet of print media  32  in order to reproduce text and/or images. 
     Host  14  may be, for example, a personal computer including an input/output (I/O) device  34 , such as a keyboard and display monitor. Host  14  further includes a processor, input/output (I/O) interfaces, memory, such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and a mass data storage device, such as a hard drive, CD-ROM and/or DVD units. During operation, host  14  includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver  36 , e.g., printer driver software for imaging apparatus  12 . Imaging driver  36  is in communication with controller  18  of imaging apparatus  12  via communications link  16 . Imaging driver  36  facilitates communication between imaging apparatus  12  and host  14 , and may provide formatted print data to imaging apparatus  12 , and more particularly, to print engine  20 . 
     Alternatively, however, all or a portion of imaging driver  36  may be located in controller  18  of imaging apparatus  12 . For example, where imaging apparatus  12  is a multifunction machine having standalone capabilities, controller  18  of imaging apparatus  12  may include an imaging driver configured to support a scanning and/or copying function using scanner  22 , and/or a fax-print function, and may be further configured to support a printer function. Scanner  22  may be, for example, a bed type scanner with a movable scan bar, or a scanner that transports paper under a stationary scan bar. In one embodiment, for example, the imaging driver facilitates communication of formatted print data, as determined by a selected print mode, to print engine  20 , and facilitates communication of scanned image data to controller  18 . 
     Print engine  20  may include, for example, a reciprocating printhead carrier  38 , a color ink jet printhead  40 , a monochrome ink jet printhead  42  and (optionally) a reflectance sensor  44 . Controller  18  serves to process print data and to operate print engine  20  during printing, as well as to operate scanner  22 , process image data obtained via scanner  22 , and process printhead alignment data obtained by scanner  22  or reflectance sensor  44 . In order for print data from host  14  to be properly printed by print engine  20 , the RGB data generated by host  14  is converted into data compatible with print engine  20  and ink jet printheads  40 ,  42 . Likewise, in order for scanner data from scanner  22  to be properly printed by print engine  20 , the RGB data generated by scanner  22  is converted into data compatible with print engine  20  and ink jet printheads  40 ,  42 . 
     Printhead carrier  38  transports ink jet printheads  40 ,  42  and reflectance sensor  44  in a reciprocation manner along a bidirectional main scan path  46  over an image surface of the sheet of print media  32  during printing and/or sensing operations. Printhead carrier  38  may be mechanically and electrically configured to mount, carry and facilitate one or more of each of a color printhead cartridge  48  and a monochrome printhead cartridge  50 . Each color printhead cartridge  48  may include, for example, an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, to which at least one respective color ink jet printhead  40  is attached. Each monochrome printhead cartridge  50  may include, for example, an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, to which at least one respective monochrome ink jet printhead  42  is attached. Alternatively, monochrome ink jet printhead  42  may be replaced by another color printhead, such as a photo printhead for jetting diluted color and mono inks. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , imaging apparatus  12  includes a media supply source  52  formed by a base  54  and a movable media support  56 . In the present embodiment, base  54  includes a stationary media support  58 , and may provide, in part, a housing that contains print engine  20  and scanner  22 . When movable media support  56  is in an operating position  60 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , movable media support  56  and stationary media support  58  combine to provide support a stack of print media (not shown), from which a sheet of print media  32  may be picked and fed to print engine  20  during a printing operation.  FIG. 3  is an enlarged portion of the media supply source  52  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is an exemplary diagrammatic side view of the media supply source  52  of  FIG. 2 , showing movable media support  56  in a stowed position  62 , i.e., in a folded position. Movable media support  56  is pivotably connected to base  54 , such as by a pin and socket arrangement, to pivot around an axis of rotation  64 . Axis of rotation  64  is parallel to bi-directional main scan path  46 , and is substantially orthogonal to a media feed direction  66 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , stowed position  62  is shown as a position wherein movable media support  56  has pivoted about 180 degrees from the operating position  60 . However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the stowed position  62  may be located at other angular displacements of movable media support  56  from operating position  60 , such as for example, when movable media support  56  is substantially horizontal. Accordingly, a hard stop may be provided within the pivot path of movable media support  56  to limit the amount of pivoting of movable media support  56  around axis of rotation  64 . 
     A first media edge guide  67  includes a first edge guide portion  68  and a second edge guide portion  72 . First edge guide portion  68  is mounted to movable media support  56 . First edge guide portion  68  is movable in a lateral direction  70  along axis of rotation  64 . Second edge guide portion  72  operates as an extension of first edge guide portion  68 . First edge guide portion  68  and second edge guide portion  72  are laterally interconnected to move as a unit in lateral direction  70  along axis of rotation  64  to adjust to a width of the supply of print media. In addition, first edge guide portion  68  and second edge guide portion  72  are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to axis of rotation  64  to permit first edge guide portion  68  to rotate around axis of rotation  64  in conjunction with movable media support  56  independent of second edge guide portion  72 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , first edge guide portion  68  and second edge guide portion  72  combine to form first media edge guide  67 , located on the left side of media supply source  52 , as shown. A second media edge guide  76  is laterally spaced apart from first media edge guide  67  along axis of rotation  64 . Second media edge guide  76  may have a configuration that is a mirror image of first media edge guide  67 , or, for example, may only include a portion corresponding to first edge guide portion  68 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a rack gear system  78 , including rack gear  80 , rack gear  82  and pinion gear  84 , couples first media edge guide  67  to second media edge guide  76 . Rack gear system  78  is configured such that first media edge guide  67  and second media edge guide  76  move in unison in lateral direction  70  along axis of rotation  64 , but in opposite directions. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, second edge guide portion  72  includes a substantially U-shaped member  86  and an elongate member  88  extending from U-shaped member  86 . U-shaped member  86  is defined by a first arm  86   a  and a second arm  86   b , wherein second arm  86   b  is spaced apart from first arm  86   a . First edge guide portion  68  includes a body  90  received in U-shaped member  86  between first arm  86   a  and second arm  86   b . As shown in  FIG. 3 , axis of rotation  64  passes through first arm  86   a  of second edge guide portion  72 , body  90  of first edge guide portion  68 , and second arm  86   b  of second edge guide portion  72 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-4 , elongate member  88  of second edge guide portion  72  engages stationary media support  58  of base  54  without connection thereto. 
     Alternatively, in other embodiments, second edge guide portion  72  may be designed to have another shape other than a U-shape, if desired. For example, second edge guide portion  72  may have a single arm, thereby having a substantially L-shape configuration. 
     In the present embodiment, referring to  FIG. 3 , a pivot mechanism  92 , e.g., a pin and socket arrangement, pivotably connects second edge guide portion  72  to first edge guide portion  68 . Pivot mechanism  92  is positioned such that first edge guide portion  68  pivots in relation to second edge guide portion  72  around axis of rotation  64 . As such, stationary media support  58  provides a stop  94  to prevent second edge guide portion  72  from pivoting around axis of rotation  64  when movable media support  56  is moved in pivot direction  95   a  toward stowed position  62 , shown in FIG.  4 . Pivoting movable media support  56  in pivot direction  95   b  returns movable media support  56  to the operating position  60  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , a first edge guide portion  100  is not connected to a second edge guide portion  102  as in the previous embodiment. Rather, a rod  96  defines axis of rotation  64 , and permits first edge guide portion  100  to pivot with movable media support  56  in relation to stationary media support  58  and second edge guide portion  102 . Like the previous embodiment, however, first edge guide portion  100  and second edge guide portion  102  are laterally interconnected to move as a unit in lateral direction  70  along axis of rotation  64  to adjust to a width of the supply of print media. In addition, first edge guide portion  100  and second edge guide portion  102  are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to axis of rotation  64  to permit first edge guide portion  100  to rotate around axis of rotation  64  in conjunction with movable media support  56  independent of second edge guide portion  102 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, second edge guide portion  102  includes a substantially U-shaped member  104  and an elongate member  106  extending from U-shaped member  104 . U-shaped member  104  is defined by a first arm  104   a  and a second arm  104   b , wherein second arm  104   b  is spaced apart from first arm  104   a . First edge guide portion  100  includes a body  108  received in U-shaped member  104  between first arm  104   a  and second arm  104   b . Rod  96 , and in turn axis of rotation  64 , passes through first arm  104   a  of second edge guide portion  102 , body  108  of first edge guide portion  100 , and second arm  104   b  of second edge guide portion  102 . 
     While this invention has been described with respect to embodiments of the invention, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.