Pick-up mechanism and a method for performing a pick-up cycle in a reproduction machine

A pick-up mechanism of a reproduction machine for controlling a sheet media pick-up cycle in which a pick-up control cam is in a driven condition during a pick-up operation, the pick-up mechanism comprising:

• a pick-up control pinion which is firmly coupled to the control cam and which includes a toothed section, the control cam being in contact with a spring-biased pressure plate, and
• a drive gearing drivingly engaged with the pick-up control pinion for controlling rotation of the pick-up control pinion for a rotation substantially without interruption during the whole pick-up cycle,
• wherein the drive gearing includes a first rocker driving gear and a second rocker driving gear which are continuously driven during the pick-up operation and which are mounted to a rocker device to be alternately engaged into the pick-up control pinion,
• wherein the rocker device is controlled such that upon starting the pick-up operation, the second rocker driving gear is drivingly engaged into the toothed section of the pick-up control pinion, and, in the course of the pick-up operation, the second rocker driving gear is disengaged from the toothed section of the pick-up control pinion and the first rocker driving gear is drivingly engaged into the toothed section of the pick-up control pinion.