Patent · US Expired

Compliant media stack height limiter

US7159863B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
18References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 2004
Grant dateJan 9, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 22, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H2511/22
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for limiting the height of media inserted into a media tray of an image forming apparatus 10 while also allowing for the inserted media to expand due to changing environmental conditions is described herein. An exemplary stack height limiting system comprises an elongated arm with a striking end spaced from a control end, where the arm is movable between first and second positions. A limiter positioned relative to the arm defines the first position, where the striking end is spaced from the bottom surface of the tray by a first gap. As media disposed in the tray expands beyond the first gap, the expanding media moves the arm to form a second, greater distance between the striking end and the bottom surface of the tray. As a result, pinch points between the first end and the media are avoided.

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