Sheet aligning apparatus

A sheet aligning apparatus for aligning an uppermost sheet of a stack of sheets of a media when the uppermost sheet is advanced from the stack so that its leading edge is substantially parallel to a predetermined position including:

• support means for supporting a stack of sheets;
• side sheet engaging means for engaging one side of at least the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets to align the one side of the uppermost sheet of the stack substantially perpendicular to the predetermined position;
• an inclined base surface disposed in the path of movement of the uppermost sheet as it is advanced from the stack of sheets, said inclined base surface being inclined away from said support means at an obtuse angle to said support means;
• said inclined base surface having sheet engaging means for engaging the leading edge of at least the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets during its advancement from the stack of sheets;
• a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending from said inclined base surface having outer surfaces for initially engaging the leading edge of the advancing sheet;
• only one of said substantially parallel ribs having a first surface of relatively high coefficient of friction and a second surface of relatively low coefficient of friction along which each sheet is advanced, each of said first and second surfaces being substantially parallel to said base surface and to each other, said second surface being proximate said first surface, and said first surface extending beyond said second surface for initial engagement by the leading edge of the advancing sheet;
• at least one additional of said substantially parallel ribs having only said second surface, said one additional rib being disposed between said only one rib and said side sheet engaging means;
• and
• force applying means for applying a force to the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets in a direction substantially parallel to said side sheet engaging means, said force applying means applying the force between said side sheet engaging means and said rib;
• and
• said force applying means applying the force to the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets to produce a torque on the uppermost sheet through the leading edge of the uppermost sheet engaging said first surface of said sheet engaging means of said inclined element to cause the one side of at least the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets to be aligned with said side sheet engaging means.