Patent ID: 7377508

Claim:
A device to introduce media sheets into an image forming apparatus comprising: an input tray sized to contain a stack of media sheets; a drive assembly; a controller that controls the drive assembly; a clutch mechanism operatively connected with the drive assembly comprising a first race having a plurality of detents, a second race having a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of balls positioned between the first race and the second race; and a contact member operatively connected to the second race and positioned on a topmost sheet of the stack; the clutch mechanism being operable between a first orientation in which the second race rotates with the first race, and a second orientation in which the second race rotates at a different rate than the first race, the races being sized for angular backlash when the clutch mechanism is originally operated in the first orientation; the controller controls the drive assembly such that the drive assembly rotates the first race when the clutch mechanism is in the second orientation and as the second race rotates at the different rate.