Patent · US Expired

Sensor and diverter mechanism for an image forming apparatus

US6926272B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
26References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 12, 2003
Grant dateAug 9, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2553/61
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An arm that directs media sheets along multiple paper paths of an image forming device. The arm is mounted to pivot when contacted by the media sheet to direct the sheets along the proper media paths, and divert the sheets from entering the improper media paths. A sensor positioned adjacent to the arm senses movement of the arm to determine the location and timing of the media sheets as they move along the paper paths. Sensor is operatively connected to a controller which tracks the movement of the media sheets through the image forming apparatus. The arm may further be positioned to determine the orientation of an internal part. The arm moves between first and second orientations depending upon the position of the internal part. The position of the arm is again determined by the sensor. The invention further includes methods of moving the position of the arm to determine the location of the media sheets and/or the orientation of the internal part.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.