US3630516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet-feeding apparatus
Assignee: ANACOMP Inc 11550 NORTH MERIDAN STREET CARMEL INDIANA 46032 A CORP OF INDIANA
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Filing: 1970-03-23
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for feeding individual sheets of paper or the like from the top of a stack upon demand is disclosed. The device includes a ''''paddle wheel'''' feeding device which comprises a plurality of flexible blades extending radially outwardly from an axle or hub. The blades are placed in contact with the surface of the upper sheet of a stack and, upon rotation of the hub, sweep the top sheet toward a receiving means. The paddle wheel is caused to rotate by a drive motor whenever a sheet is to be fed. Once the sheet reaches the receiving means, the motor is disengaged. A one-way clutch permits the paddle wheel to be rotated by the sheet as it is withdrawn by the receiving means. The paddle wheel is preferably mounted on a pivoting mechanism to accommodate varying stack heights. Preferably, means are included to remove the paddle wheel from the upper surface of the stack during stack replenishment.
Inventors
- 👤 Byung S Hong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/02; B65H3/06; B65H3/0607; B65H3/0638; G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/58; G03B27/585; G03B27/586; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/10; B65H2404/11; B65H2404/111; B65H2404/1114
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A sheet feed member comprising a rotatable generally cylindrical hub having a plurality of spaced grooves in the surface thereof, said grooves extending substantially parallel to the centerline of said hub; and a plurality of generally rectangular elastomeric blades each secured in one of said grooves and extending radially outwardly therefrom, each blade lying in a plane which includes said hub centerline, said blades having a high surface friction characteristics and being capable of bending under the force of gravity when said feed member is supported on a planar surface, whereby substantially uniform contact is maintained between a substantial portion of the faces of said blades and said surface upon rotation of said hub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A sheet feed member comprising a rotatable generally cylindrical hub having a plurality of spaced grooves in the surface thereof, said grooves extending substantially parallel to the centerline of said hub; and a plurality of generally rectangular elastomeric blades each secured in one of said grooves and extending radially outwardly therefrom, each blade lying in a plane which includes said hub centerline, said blades having a high surface friction characteristics and being capable of bending under the force of gravity when said feed member is supported on a planar surface, whereby substantially uniform contact is maintained between a substantial portion of the faces of said blades and said surface upon rotation of said hub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sheet feed member according to claim 1 wherein six blades are secured in six equally spaced grooves in said hub.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sheet feed member according to claim 2 wherein said blades comprise gum rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The sheet feed member according to claim 3 wherein said grooves have a generally cross section connected to the surface of the hub by an intervening slot and said blades each have an enlarged bead along one edge having a cross section substantially equal to that of said grooves, whereby said blades are held in said grooves by the interlocking relationship between blades and grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A sheet feed apparatus comprising: a. support means for holding a stack of sheets; b. sheet guide means at a first end of said stack; c. a rotatable first shaft supported in a fixed position above said support means; d. a bracket pivotable mounted on said first shaft, adapted to extend approximately parallel to said sheets away from said first end thereof; e. a paddle wheel mounted on a second shaft rotatably supported by said bracket, said paddle wheel comprising a rotatable hub secured to said second shaft and having a plurality of spaced generally rectangular blades extending radially outwardly from said hub, each blade lying generally in a plane which includes said second shaft and adapted to bend and conform to a sheet surface when brought into contact therewith; f. drive means operatively connected to rotate said first shaft; g. drive linkage means operatively connected between said first and second shafts to rotate said paddle wheel; whereby rotation of said first shaft causes said paddle wheel to sweep the top sheet from said shaft toward said first shaft and said guide means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
A sheet feed apparatus comprising: a. support means for holding a stack of sheets; b. sheet guide means at a first end of said stack; c. a rotatable first shaft supported in a fixed position above said support means; d. a bracket pivotable mounted on said first shaft, adapted to extend approximately parallel to said sheets away from said first end thereof; e. a paddle wheel mounted on a second shaft rotatably supported by said bracket, said paddle wheel comprising a rotatable hub secured to said second shaft and having a plurality of spaced generally rectangular blades extending radially outwardly from said hub, each blade lying generally in a plane which includes said second shaft and adapted to bend and conform to a sheet surface when brought into contact therewith; f. drive means operatively connected to rotate said first shaft; g. drive linkage means operatively connected between said first and second shafts to rotate said paddle wheel; whereby rotation of said first shaft causes said paddle wheel to sweep the top sheet from said shaft toward said first shaft and said guide means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further including separation means permitting replenishment of said stack without interference from said paddle wheel which comprises: a. means permitting movement of said stack support means in a direction generally toward said first end of said stack; b. said bracket means adapted to be rotated by gravitational forces so that said paddle wheel hangs generally vertically downwardly from said first shaft with said stack support removed; and c. cam follower means connected to said first shaft adapted to ride on a cam surface during replacement of said stack support means, to lift said paddle wheel above said sheet stack during said replacement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |