Adjustable dampening device in an apparatus for detecting double fed sheets

Abstract

In a mechanism for detecting double sheets fed from a feeder, including an actuator arm operatively coupled at one end to a magnet and at the other end to a paper follower, wherein the paper follower follows the profile of each sheet or group of sheets being conveyed between the paper follower and a fixed transport deck below thereto, the paper follower causing the actuator arm to pivot about a first axis to raise and lower the magnet with respect to a stationary electromagnetic sensor, an improvement comprises a flat spring mounted at one end to a shaft extending along the first axis, and a lever, having a pin for supporting an other end of the flat spring. The lever is pivotally mounted along a second axis for pivoting the pin between at least a first and second position wherein the flat spring provides a first dampening load to the paper follower and the actuator arm when the lever is in the fist position and provides a second dampening load to the actuator arm when the lever is in the second position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.