Patent ID: 7686293

Claim:
A print media feeder apparatus suitable for use in an image forming device, the print media feeder apparatus comprising: an elevator tray assembly holding a stack of print media, the elevator tray assembly being movable in a vertical direction in response to a change in the load of the stack of print media ensuring proper alignment of the stack of print media; a housing connected to the elevator tray assembly, the housing comprising: a. a spring storing the load of the elevator tray assembly as potential energy, the spring vertically moving the elevator tray assembly while storing and releasing the potential energy; b. a hoist drum fixed to one portion of a shaft; and c. a spring enclosure fixed to the another portion of the shaft, the spring enclosure encasing the spring for preventing deformation of the spring; and a transmission system connecting the elevator tray assembly to the housing, wherein the transmission system transmits the load of the elevator tray assembly to the housing.