Patent ID: 7448623

Claim:
A paper feeding mechanism including a drive roller rotated by a first shaft driven by a motor, and a press roller supported by a second shaft that is spaced parallel to and apart from the first shaft, the press roller pressing against the drive roller and being driven by the drive roller, the paper feeding mechanism comprising: a cam for pushing the second shaft and moving the press roller away from the drive roller; and clutching means for transferring rotating forces from the first shaft to the cam to rotate the cam and move the press roller away from the drive roller; wherein the clutching means includes: a bushing firmly fixed to the first shaft; a clutch spring mounted over the bushing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the clutch spring being inserted into a first groove formed on the cam; a clutch sleeve enclosing the clutch spring and having a second groove for receiving the second end of the clutch spring; and locking means for selectively locking and unlocking the clutch sleeve to allow rotation of the clutch sleeve; wherein if the clutch sleeve is unlocked and rotated, the clutch spring presses against the cam and rotates together with the clutch sleeve to rotate the cam.