Removable media tray having a high latching force and a low opening force

US9988224B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael William Lawrence · Lexington, US
• Dustin Daniel Fichter · Versailles, US
• Neal Douglas McFarland · Versailles, US
• Stacey Vaughan Mitchell · Lexington, US
• Angel Macuha Alagos · Liloan, PH
• Douglas Andagan Baena, Jr. · Dumaguete, PH
• Pat Marlon Cartagena Limosnero · Balamban, PH

Key dates

• Filing date: May 30, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2018
• Expiry date: May 30, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2555/41
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A removable media tray assembly for an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a media tray having a bottom surface and a front wall extending upward from the bottom surface. A bottom surface defines a media storage location for storing a stack of media sheets. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therein to receive the media tray. A magnet and a plate provide a latching force FL greater than a pick motor stall force keeping the media tray in a closed position during media picking. A handle assembly including a finger bar and a pivoting link is mounted to the front wall. With the media tray being held closed by the latching force, a user-supplied actuation force FA that is less than 22.2 N applied to the finger bar, pivots the link which acts as a force multiplier providing a release force exceeding the latching force.