Precision deep input guide clip for document scanners and document scanner incorporating same

A document scanner, comprising:

• image sensing means, the image sensing means including a transparent surface over an optical focus line;
• feed roller motor means;
• a rotatable roller means coupled to the feed roller motor means, the feed roller means being adapted to contact said transparent surface along a contact line that is offset from said optical focus line;
• and
• deep input guide clip means, the deep input guide clip means being generally U-shaped and including a pair of facing arm means extending from a closed portion of the U-shape, the pair of facing arm means being resiliently biased toward one another, the deep input guide clip means including means for precisely locating the optical focus line relative to the contact line such that a pressure on a document during a scanning operation is greater at the contact line than at the optical focus line.

A document scanner, comprising:

• image sensing means, the image sensing means including a transparent surface over an optical focus line;
• feed roller motor means;
• a rotatable roller means coupled to the feed roller motor means, the feed roller means being adapted to contact said transparent surface along a contact line that is offset from said optical focus line;
• and
• deep input guide clip means including a plurality of integral retaining bend means to clip onto the image sensor means for precisely locating the optical focus line relative to the contact line such that a pressure on a document during a scanning operation is greater at the contact line than at the optical focus line, the deep input guide clip means including a document facing surface defining an opening aligned with the transparent surface.

A document scanner, comprising:

• image sensing means, the image sensing means including a transparent surface over an optical focus line;
• feed roller motor means;
• a rotatable roller means coupled to the feed roller motor means, the feed roller means being adapted to contact said transparent surface along a contact line that is offset from said optical focus line;
• and
• deep input guide clip means, the deep input guide clip means including:
• means for precisely locating the optical focus line relative to the contact line such that a pressure on a document during a scanning operation is greater at the contact line than at the optical focus line;
• a plurality of dust trap means to trap dust as a document is introduced into the scanner;
• a plurality of document proximity sensor means to detect a leading edge, width and trailing edge of a document introduced into the scanner, the proximity sensor means being secured within the deep input guide clip means by selected ones of a plurality of retaining bend means integral to the guide clip means and by at least one proximity sensor fold means integral to the deep input guide clip means, an active portion of each of the plurality of document proximity sensor means being aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of dust trap means.

A document scanner, comprising:

• image sensing means, the image sensing means including a transparent surface over an optical focus line;
• feed roller motor means;
• a rotatable roller means coupled to the feed roller motor means, the feed roller means being adapted to contact said transparent surface along a contact line that is offset from said optical focus line;
• deep input guide clip means, the deep input guide clip means including means for precisely locating the optical focus line relative to the contact line such that a pressure on a document during a scanning operation is greater at the contact line than at the optical focus line, and
• a primary input guide means including:
• generally planar first surface angled relative to a surface of the deep input guide clip means adapted to face the document, and
• a generally arcuate second surface facing the feed roller means in close proximity therewith and having a curvature generally matching that of the feed roller means, whereby the primary input guide means constrains a path of the document between the first surface and the document facing surface and prevents the feed roller means from catching the document until the document is deeply engaged within the scanner.