Pinch-proof edge guide
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsKevin James McLeod, Edward Alan Rush, Scott Stephen Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A paper tray or fixed platform for loading paper includes an adjustable edge guide including a primary paper guide surface and a cantilever portion including an end surface, the end surface movable between retracted and extended positions, so that when the end surface is disposed in its extended position and the edge guide is moved to bring the end surface in contact with a supply of paper, the primary paper guide surface is sufficiently spaced away from the supply of paper to avoid paper pinching and excessive clearance conditions. The edge guide is molded as one piece with a living hinge, removed from the mold while warm, and a pin is inserted to prevent the cantilever portion from warping toward the guide surface during cooling.
Claims14
A paper source device, comprising:
- a platform adapted to receive a supply of paper;
- and
- an adjustable side edge guide coupled to said platform, said adjustable side edge guide including a flexible cantilever portion for forming a temporary edge guide surface for use in adjusting the side edge guide relative to the supply of paper, said cantilever portion having an unbiased first position during operation of said paper source device, said cantilever portion also being selectively movable to a biased second position before operation of said paper source device, said second position defining a nonzero distance between said adjustable side edge guide and the supply of paper during operation of said paper source device.
A paper source device, comprising:
- a tray adapted to receive a supply of paper;
- and
- a side edge guide slidably coupled to said tray, said side edge guide including a primary guide surface and a cantilever portion including an end surface movable between an unbiased first position and a biased second position, said second position being further than said first position from said primary guide surface, said end surface second position spaced away from said primary guide surface, so that when said end surface is disposed in said second position and is brought to bear against said supply of paper, said primary surface is disposed away from said supply of paper.
A paper source device, comprising:
- a platform adapted to receive a supply of paper;
- an edge guide coupled to said platform, said edge guide including an edge guide surface;
- and
- a flexible member for establishing clearance between said edge guide surface and said supply of paper, said flexible member being configured for pushing said supply of paper a predetermined distance away from said edge guide surface.
A method of positioning a supply of paper within a paper source device having a platform, comprising the steps of:
- receiving the supply of paper on the platform of the paper source device;
- coupling a side edge guide to the platform, said side edge guide having an edge guide surface and a cantilever portion;
- biasing said cantilever portion of said side edge guide against the supply of paper to thereby push the supply of paper a predetermined distance away from said edge guide surface;
- and
- releasing said cantilever portion to thereby allow said cantilever portion to move away from the supply of paper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.