EP0642999B1 - Apparatus for introducing sheets of paper - Google Patents

Apparatus for introducing sheets of paper Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0642999B1
EP0642999B1 EP94108604A EP94108604A EP0642999B1 EP 0642999 B1 EP0642999 B1 EP 0642999B1 EP 94108604 A EP94108604 A EP 94108604A EP 94108604 A EP94108604 A EP 94108604A EP 0642999 B1 EP0642999 B1 EP 0642999B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheet
sheets
manner
members
upper sheet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94108604A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0642999A1 (en
Inventor
Marcelino Requena
Bernard Gamper
Guiseppe Bortolotti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Olivetti Engineering SA
Original Assignee
OCD SA
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP0642999A1 publication Critical patent/EP0642999A1/en
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Publication of EP0642999B1 publication Critical patent/EP0642999B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/0661—Rollers or like rotary separators for separating inclined-stacked articles with separator rollers above the stack
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/0669—Driving devices therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sheet feeder for printers or typewriters comprising a sheet feeder channel having a support for retaining a stack of sheets, drive rollers arranged on a drive shaft so moving the upper sheet of the stack to bring it opposite a writing head, and an alignment stop arranged downstream of the introduction channel (FR-A-2 401 778).
  • Such devices are known for introducing sheets of paper used in printers, typewriters or in other devices such as photocopying devices. These known devices use a series of introduction rollers of appreciable diameter associated with the printing cylinder to obtain good alignment of the sheet of paper during its introduction.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide an introduction device small size ensuring precise alignment of the sheet fed into the printer.
  • the insertion device is characterized, for this purpose, in that the alignment stop is fixed and arranged so that the upper sheet is stressed in a first phase by the drive rollers with its front edge against said alignment stop, and at least one movable deflector element is intended to cooperate with this upper sheet to remove in a second phase its front edge from the alignment stop and to bring this edge towards the drive rollers so the top sheet comes into contact with the periphery of the drive rollers.
  • This arrangement ensures very good alignment of the paper while allowing a small footprint, in particular a small diameter of the drive rollers constituting the cylinder. This advantage is particularly important for so-called portable printers.
  • the device comprises retractable movable guide elements arranged in said introduction channel opposite the support so as to direct the sheets inside the retaining corners of this support during the insertion of a stack of sheets. in the introduction channel.
  • This construction allows even in the presence of an insertion channel and a fixed paper support easy and safe insertion of the stack of sheets of paper into the channel.
  • the support is provided with movable support members intended to urge the sheets against the drive rollers when the upper sheet of the stack must be selected to be brought opposite the writing head.
  • This arrangement allows precise control of the paper selection.
  • the device comprises retractable mobile loading stops arranged near said support and driven so as to project into the insertion channel to retain a stack of sheets during its insertion into the channel and so as to be retracted when moving the top sheet to the writing head.
  • the device comprises a control shaft arranged parallel to the roller drive shaft and comprising first cams intended to control the movement of the movable deflector element.
  • This arrangement ensures a very small footprint and a low manufacturing price.
  • control shaft further comprises second, respectively third, cams arranged so as to control the advance of the movable guide elements, respectively movable loading stops in the introduction channel to facilitate the insertion of sheets in the insertion channel and removal of these guide elements, respectively of these loading stops, during the movement of the upper sheet towards the writing head, of the fourth cams arranged so as to control the advancement of the movable support members under the effect of elastic members for the displacement of the selected upper sheet and the withdrawal of these members against the effect of said elastic members when the movement of the selected upper sheet is completed.
  • Figure 1 is a top view of this embodiment integrated in a printer, the part shown in Figure 2 being removed for clarity.
  • Figure 2 is a front view from above of part of the embodiment.
  • Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional view in active positions of the device.
  • FIG. 5 is a detailed view of FIG. 1.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a unidirectional sectional coupling
  • the insertion device 1 partially illustrated in FIG. 1 is associated with a printer 2 comprising a frame 3, a carriage 4 sliding on a bar 5 and comprising a writing head 6.
  • the frame may of course also contain other organs, such as a keyboard and a microcomputer.
  • the introducer has a bidirectional electric drive motor 10 which can be of the stepping type. This motor drives, on the one hand, drive rollers 11 secured to a drive shaft 12 and, on the other hand, a control shaft 13 which controls the movement of the various mobile elements of the introduction device.
  • the clutch device 21 is constituted by a disc 30 integral in rotation with the control shaft 13. This disc comprises a toothing 31 intended to cooperate in the engaged position with a corresponding toothing 32 secured to the wheel 22 of the second unidirectional coupling 20.
  • lug 33 which, in the disengaged position as shown in solid lines in Figure 5, is biased by a leaf spring 34 in an opening 35 formed in the fixed wall 36 integral with the frame 3.
  • a lever 40 mounted to rotate on the frame by means of a pivot 41 cooperates through one 42 of its ends with the disc 30 to release the lug 33 from the opening 35 and to engage the two teeth 31 and 32 against the effect of the spring 34, as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 5.
  • the wheel 22 drives the disc 30 which in turn drives the control shaft 13 controlling during the rotation of a revolution the movement of the different mobile elements of the introducer.
  • the lug 33 sliding on the wall 36 falls back into the opening 35, under the effect of the spring 34 and the shaft 13 is thus disengaged from the wheel 22 and the motor 10.
  • the lever 40 cooperates at its end 43 with the movable carriage 4, when the latter is in a predetermined position at the left end of the printer. It is understood that the clutch can also be controlled by any other manual or automatic device.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show in cross section the various movable elements in the rest position and in the active positions.
  • the assembly unit 50 shown separately in FIG. 2 is mounted on the introduction device to form an introduction channel 51 for the sheets with a support 52 intended to hold a stack of sheets 53.
  • This support 52 includes lateral guides 54,55 (fig. 2) with lower retaining corners 56 intended to cooperate with the lower corners of the sheets.
  • the lateral guide 54 on the right in FIG. 2 is integral with a movable slide 58 which can be moved laterally by the adjustment button 59 to adjust the lateral guides to the paper size.
  • the introduction channel 51 further comprises retractable movable guide elements 60 in the form of controlled fins, capable of being engaged in the introduction channel 51 to direct the sheets inside the retaining corners 56 when inserting a stack of sheets into the feed channel (see Figure 3). These guide elements 60 are pivoted outside the channel 51 during the selection of a sheet (see FIG. 4).
  • the support 52 for the sheets is provided at its lower edge with retractable mobile loading stops 64 which can project into the insertion channel 51 to retain a stack of sheets during its insertion (see FIG. 3). This is particularly useful, when the sheets are too small to be retained by the corners 56. These loading stops are retracted (see FIG. 4) when the highest sheet 53a is moved towards the printer head .
  • the support 52 is further provided with movable support members 66 in the form of pads whose function is to urge the sheets against the drive rollers 11, when the upper sheet 53a (FIG. 4) must be selected to be brought into look of the writing head 6. These movable support members 66 are removed from the channel 51 to avoid the selection of the next sheet and to allow easy positioning of the stack of paper sheets when it is inserted into the channel.
  • the introduction channel comprises a fixed alignment stop 67 constituted by a part integral with the frame of the introduction device.
  • This stop 67 is arranged so that, during a first phase of driving the upper sheet 53a by the drive rollers 11, this sheet is urged with its front edge against this stop 67 to obtain a precise alignment.
  • deflector elements 68 which are retracted in the rest position and the first phase of the selection of the upper sheet 53a (see FIGS. 3 and 4 in solid lines).
  • these deflector elements 68 are pivoted so as to cooperate with the upper sheet 53a to remove its front edge from the alignment stop 67 and to bring this edge towards the drive rollers 11 so that this upper sheet 53a comes into contact with the periphery of these rollers, as shown in dashed lines 68a in FIG. 4.
  • the sheet 53a is then pressed against the drive rollers 11 and when the latter are rotated clockwise in FIG. 4, the sheet passes between the backpressure rollers 70,71 and the drive rollers 11 to pass in front of the writing head 6 and be brought in front of an opto-electronic detector 72, which controls the stopping of the feeding of the sheet to the position which corresponds to the first printing line.
  • control shaft 13 has first cams 78 intended to cooperate with the deflector elements 68 to move the latter from a retracted position to an active position and vice versa by rotation around the axis 79.
  • the support members 66 are articulated on the frame 87 by means of pivots 92.
  • Two springs 93 with elastic metal rods urge the support members 66 towards their active position indicated in broken lines on the Figure 8, in which they press the sheets against the drive rollers 11.
  • Third cams 94 cooperate with the springs 93 to move the support members 66 to their retracted position shown in solid lines in Figure 8 to allow the setting in place of a packet of sheets on the support 52.
  • FIG. 8 there is also shown one of the fixed retaining corners 56 integral with the lateral guide 55 and which has a rounded internal shape to facilitate the release of the upper sheet 53a during its selection.
  • the mechanism for controlling the loading stops 64 is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.
  • These mobile stops 64 are pivotally mounted on a stirrup-shaped part 96 by means of a pivot 97.
  • the stirrup-shaped part 96 is itself articulated on the frame 87 by means of a pivot 98 and comprises in its lower part a toothing 99 intended to cooperate with a cam 100 integral with the control shaft 13 and which also has a toothing 101.
  • a coil spring 102 connects the rear part of the loading stops 64 to the frame 87 and biases the latter towards their position where they are retracted from the channel d introduction 51.
  • the cam 100, the part 96 and the loading stops 64 are brought into the position indicated in broken lines in FIG. 9, or they retain sheets on the support 52 An additional rotation of the control shaft 13 releases the mechanism which returns to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 9.
  • this introduction device is as follows. In the rest position, in which a stack of sheets can be placed on the support 52, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide elements 60 and the loading stops 64 are in their active position. The support members 66 and the deflector elements 68 are in their retracted position. Following a paper feed command, the lever 40 causes the clutch device 21 to be clutched. The motor 10 then firstly rotates in the second direction to drive the control shaft 13d in rotation. 'A predetermined angle such that the support members 66 urge the sheets 53 against the drive rollers 11 and such that the guide elements 60 and the loading stops 64 are retracted.
  • a second step the direction of the motor 10 is then reversed to rotate the drive rollers 11 which release the upper sheet 53a under the corners of retainer 56 and move it downwards to urge it by its front edge against the alignment stop 67. A small additional stroke is made at this time so as to ensure by pressure a precise alignment of the sheet 53a.
  • the motor 10 rotates in the second direction and the control shaft 13 causes, via the cams 78, the advancement of the deflector elements 68 which urge the upper sheet 53a against the drive rollers 11 (FIG. 4).
  • the motor 10 rotating in the first direction drives the sheet to the writing head 6 and to the opto-electronic detector 72 which records its exact passage.
  • the rotation of the motor rotating in the second direction causes the withdrawal of the support members 66 and the deflector elements 68 by means of the cams 94 and 78 and the advancement of the guide elements 60 and the loading stops 64 by action of the cams 91 and 100.
  • the motor 10 rotates in the first direction to carry out the driving of the sheet 53a opposite the writing head.
  • the sheet is transported by the wheels 73, 74 engaged with the motor 10 turning in the first direction to be deposited in the receptacle 75.
  • This construction ensures reliable paper transport with precise alignment of the sheet to be printed while making it possible to considerably reduce the size of the device.
  • Another advantage results from the fact that the manufacture and assembly of the device are simplified considering that the movable elements associated with the support 52 of paper and its introduction channel 51 are arranged on a separate assembly unit 50 (fig. 2). The assembly of this unit 50 is carried out separately and the whole of the unit 50 can then be placed on the frame 3 comprising the motor 10 and the drive and control shafts 12, 13 with their related elements as illustrated. in FIG. 1. This construction also facilitates repairs or allows rapid replacement of the assembly unit 50.
  • the embodiment described above is in no way limiting and that it can receive any desirable modifications within the framework as defined by claim 1.
  • certain elements, such as the loading stops 64 or the guide elements 60 can be omitted in simplified variants.
  • the movable support members 66 may be replaced by a movable sheet support capable of being moved or pivoted to apply the sheets during selection elastically against the drive rollers 11.
  • the latter can be replaced by a striking cylinder or printing.
  • the drive of the drive shaft 12 and the control shaft 13 can also be carried out by two separate motors.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Handling Of Cut Paper (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'introduction de feuilles pour imprimantes ou machines à écrire comprenant un canal d'introduction des feuilles présentant un support destiné à retenir une pile de feuilles, des galets d'entraînement agencés sur un arbre d'entraînement de façon à déplacer la feuille supérieure de la pile pour l'amener en regard d'une tête d'écriture, et und butée d'alignment agencée en aval du canal d'introduction (FR-A-2 401 778).The present invention relates to a sheet feeder for printers or typewriters comprising a sheet feeder channel having a support for retaining a stack of sheets, drive rollers arranged on a drive shaft so moving the upper sheet of the stack to bring it opposite a writing head, and an alignment stop arranged downstream of the introduction channel (FR-A-2 401 778).

On connaît de tels dispositifs d'introduction de feuilles de papier utilisés dans des imprimantes, des machines à écrire ou dans d'autres appareils tels que des appareils de photocopie. Ces dispositifs connus utilisent une série de galets d'introduction d'un diamètre appréciable associe au cylindre d'impression pour obtenir un bon alignement de la feuille de papier lors de son introduction.Such devices are known for introducing sheets of paper used in printers, typewriters or in other devices such as photocopying devices. These known devices use a series of introduction rollers of appreciable diameter associated with the printing cylinder to obtain good alignment of the sheet of paper during its introduction.

Récemment, il est devenu important de développer des imprimantes ou des machines à écrire de très petite taille, dites portables. Les dispositifs d'introduction de papier pour ces imprimantes devaient donc impérativement présenter des dimensions réduites. Au lieu d'une série de galets d'introduction associés au cylindre d'impression, on a essayé d'utiliser uniquement un cylindre à faible diamètre, ce qui a cependant donné naissance à un mauvais alignement de la feuille dans l'imprimante.Recently, it has become important to develop very small, so-called portable printers or typewriters. The paper feeders for these printers therefore had to have reduced dimensions. Instead of a series of feed rollers associated with the printing cylinder, attempts have been made to use only a small diameter cylinder, which has however given rise to misalignment of the sheet in the printer.

La présente invention a pour but de rémédier aux inconvénients précités et de fournir un dispositif d'introduction de faible dimension assurant un alignement précis de la feuille introduite dans l'imprimante.The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide an introduction device small size ensuring precise alignment of the sheet fed into the printer.

Le dispositif d'introduction selon l'invention est caractérisé, à cet effet, en ce que la butée d'alignment est fixe et agencée de façon que la feuille supérieure soit sollicitée dans une première phase par les galets d'entraînement avec son bord antérieur contre ladite butée d'alignement, et au moins un élément déflecteur mobile est destine a coopérer avec cette feuille supérieure pour enlever dans une seconde phase son bord antérieur de la butée d'alignement et pour amener ce bord vers les galets d'entraînement de façon que la feuille supérieure entre en contact avec le pourtour des galets d'entraînement.The insertion device according to the invention is characterized, for this purpose, in that the alignment stop is fixed and arranged so that the upper sheet is stressed in a first phase by the drive rollers with its front edge against said alignment stop, and at least one movable deflector element is intended to cooperate with this upper sheet to remove in a second phase its front edge from the alignment stop and to bring this edge towards the drive rollers so the top sheet comes into contact with the periphery of the drive rollers.

Cette disposition assure un très bon alignement du papier tout en permettant un faible encombrement, notamment un faible diamètre des galets d'entraînement constituant le cylindre. Cet avantage est particulièrement important pour les imprimantes dites portables.This arrangement ensures very good alignment of the paper while allowing a small footprint, in particular a small diameter of the drive rollers constituting the cylinder. This advantage is particularly important for so-called portable printers.

Avantageusement, le dispositif comprend des éléments de guidage mobiles escamotables agencés dans ledit canal d'introduction en regard du support de façon à diriger les feuilles à l'intérieur des coins de retenue de ce support lors de l'insertion d'une pile de feuilles dans le canal d'introduction.Advantageously, the device comprises retractable movable guide elements arranged in said introduction channel opposite the support so as to direct the sheets inside the retaining corners of this support during the insertion of a stack of sheets. in the introduction channel.

Cette construction permet même en présence d'un canal d'introduction et d un support de papier fixe une insertion aisée et sûre de la pile de feuilles de papier dans le canal.This construction allows even in the presence of an insertion channel and a fixed paper support easy and safe insertion of the stack of sheets of paper into the channel.

De préférence, le support est muni d'organes d'appui mobiles destinés à solliciter les feuilles contre les galets d'entraînement lorsque la feuille supérieure de la pile doit être sélectionnée pour être amenée en regard de la tête d'écriture.Preferably, the support is provided with movable support members intended to urge the sheets against the drive rollers when the upper sheet of the stack must be selected to be brought opposite the writing head.

Cette disposition permet un contrôle précis de la sélection de papier.This arrangement allows precise control of the paper selection.

Selon une variante avantageuse, le dispositif comprend des butées de chargement mobiles escamotables disposées a proximité dudit support et entraînés de façon à faire saillie dans le canal d'introduction pour retenir une pile de feuilles lors de son insertion dans le canal et de façon à être escamotées lors du déplacement de la feuille supérieure vers la tête d'écriture.According to an advantageous variant, the device comprises retractable mobile loading stops arranged near said support and driven so as to project into the insertion channel to retain a stack of sheets during its insertion into the channel and so as to be retracted when moving the top sheet to the writing head.

Ces butées présentent l'avantage d'une bonne retenue de la pile de feuilles lors de son introduction, même si les guides latéraux habituels du support de feuilles sont réglés trop écartés ou les feuilles trop étroites.These stops have the advantage of good retention of the stack of sheets during its introduction, even if the usual lateral guides of the sheet support are set too far apart or the sheets too narrow.

Selon un mode préféré, le dispositif comprend un arbre de commande disposé parallèlement à l'arbre d'entraînement de galets et comportant des premières cames destinées a commander le mouvement de l'élément déflecteur mobile.According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a control shaft arranged parallel to the roller drive shaft and comprising first cams intended to control the movement of the movable deflector element.

On obtient ainsi un contrôle précis du mouvement de l'élément déflecteur.This gives precise control of the movement of the deflector element.

Avantageusement, l'arbre d'entraînement des galets et l'arbre de commande sont reliés à un seul moteur a rotation bidirectionnel, l'arbre d'entraînement étant muni d'un accouplement unidirectionnel agencé de façon à être en prise avec le moteur dans un premier sens de rotation de ce moteur et l'arbre de commande étant muni d'un second accouplement unidirectionnel agencé de façon à être en prise avec le moteur dans le second sens de rotation de ce moteur.Advantageously, the drive shaft of the rollers and the control shaft are connected to a single motor with bidirectional rotation, the drive shaft being provided with a unidirectional coupling arranged so as to be engaged with the motor in a first direction of rotation of this motor and the control shaft being provided with a second unidirectional coupling arranged so as to be engaged with the motor in the second direction of rotation of this motor.

Cette disposition assure un très faible encombrement et un prix de fabrication peu élevé.This arrangement ensures a very small footprint and a low manufacturing price.

Selon un mode très avantageux, l'arbre de commande comprend en outre des secondes, respectivement troisièmes, cames agencées de façon à commander l'avance des éléments de guidage mobile, respectivement des butées de chargement mobiles dans le canal d'introduction pour faciliter l'insertion de feuilles dans le canal d'introduction et le retrait de ces éléments de guidage, respectivement de ces butées de chargement, lors du déplacement de la feuille supérieure vers la tête d'écriture, des quatrièmes cames agencées de façon à commander l'avance des organes d'appui mobiles sous l'effet d'organes élastiques pour le déplacement de la feuille supérieure sélectionnée et le retrait de ces organes contre l'effet desdits organes élastiques lorsque le déplacement de la feuille supérieure sélectionnée est achevé.According to a very advantageous mode, the control shaft further comprises second, respectively third, cams arranged so as to control the advance of the movable guide elements, respectively movable loading stops in the introduction channel to facilitate the insertion of sheets in the insertion channel and removal of these guide elements, respectively of these loading stops, during the movement of the upper sheet towards the writing head, of the fourth cams arranged so as to control the advancement of the movable support members under the effect of elastic members for the displacement of the selected upper sheet and the withdrawal of these members against the effect of said elastic members when the movement of the selected upper sheet is completed.

Par cette disposition, la commande de tous les organes mobiles est obtenue de façon simple et précise, tout en ne nécessitant qu'un encombrement très réduit.By this arrangement, the control of all the movable members is obtained in a simple and precise manner, while requiring only a very small footprint.

D'autres avantages ressortent des caractéristiques exprimées dans les revendications dépendantes et de la description exposant ci-après l'invention plus en détail à l'aide des dessins qui représentent schématiquement et à titre d'exemple un mode d'exécution.Other advantages emerge from the characteristics expressed in the dependent claims and from the description setting out the invention below in more detail with the aid of the drawings which schematically and by way of example show an embodiment.

La figure 1 est une vue de dessus de ce mode d'exécution intégré dans une imprimante, la partie représentée à la figure 2 étant ôtée pour plus de clarté.Figure 1 is a top view of this embodiment integrated in a printer, the part shown in Figure 2 being removed for clarity.

La figure 2 est une vue de face de dessus d'une partie du mode d'exécution.Figure 2 is a front view from above of part of the embodiment.

La figure 3 représente une vue en coupe transversale du dispositif dans la position de repos du dispositif.Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device in the rest position of the device.

La figure 4 représente la vue en coupe transversale dans des positions actives du dispositif.Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional view in active positions of the device.

La figure 5 est une vue de détail de la figure 1.FIG. 5 is a detailed view of FIG. 1.

La figure 6 illustre un accouplement unidirectionnel en coupe.Figure 6 illustrates a unidirectional sectional coupling.

Les figures 7,8 et 9 sont des coupes transversales selon VII-VII, VIII-VIII et IX-IX de la figure 2.Figures 7,8 and 9 are cross sections along VII-VII, VIII-VIII and IX-IX of Figure 2.

Le dispositif d'introduction 1 illustré partiellement à la figure 1 est associé à une imprimante 2 comportant un bâti 3, un chariot 4 coulissant sur une barre 5 et comportant une tête d'écriture 6. Le bâti pourra bien entendu encore contenir d'autres organes, tels qu'un clavier et un micro-ordinateur.The insertion device 1 partially illustrated in FIG. 1 is associated with a printer 2 comprising a frame 3, a carriage 4 sliding on a bar 5 and comprising a writing head 6. The frame may of course also contain other organs, such as a keyboard and a microcomputer.

Le dispositif d'introduction présente un moteur électrique d'entraînement bidirectionnel 10 qui peut être du type pas-à-pas. Ce moteur entraîne, d'une part, des galets d'entraînement 11 solidaires d'un arbre d'entraînement 12 et, d'autre part, un arbre de commande 13 qui commande le mouvement des différents éléments mobiles du dispositif d'introduction.The introducer has a bidirectional electric drive motor 10 which can be of the stepping type. This motor drives, on the one hand, drive rollers 11 secured to a drive shaft 12 and, on the other hand, a control shaft 13 which controls the movement of the various mobile elements of the introduction device.

En référence aux figures 1 et 5, le moteur 10 est relié par un train d engrenages 15 à un premier accouplement unidirectionnel 16 qui est agencé de façon a mettre en prise l'arbre d'entraînement 12, lorsque le moteur 10 tourne dans un premier sens. Ce premier accouplement unidirectionnel 16 est du type dit "Torpedo" et comporte un ressort hélicoïdal 17 rattaché à l'engrenage 18 et se serrant par enroulement sur l'arbre 12, lorsque le moteur 10 tourne dans le premier sens, tandis que le ressort ne se serre pas sur l'arbre 12 dans le sens contraire de rotation. La mise en marche et le sens de rotation du moteur sont commandés par une unité de commande 14.Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the motor 10 is connected by a gear train 15 to a first one-way coupling 16 which is arranged to engage the drive shaft 12, when the motor 10 rotates in a first meaning. This first one-way coupling 16 is of the so-called "Torpedo" type and comprises a helical spring 17 attached to the gear 18 and tightening by winding on the shaft 12, when the motor 10 rotates in the first direction, while the spring does not tighten on the shaft 12 in the opposite direction of rotation. The starting and the direction of rotation of the motor are controlled by a control unit 14.

Le train d'engrenage 15 est également agencé pour coopérer avec l'arbre de commande 13 par l'intermédiaire d'un second accouplement unidirectionnel 20 et d'un dispositif d'embrayage 21. Cet accouplement et le dispositif d'embrayage sont représentés à la figure 5 pour plus de clarté de façon décalée vers le haut. L'accouplement unidirectionnel 20 comprend une roue 22 munie d'une série de palettes incurvées 23 coopérant par leurs extémités avec la denture 24 d'une roue coaxiale 25 en prise avec le train d'engrenage 15. La roue 22 est entraînée lorsque le moteur 10 tourne dans le second sens, c.a.d. lorsque la roue 25 tourne dans le sens contraire aux aiguilles d une montre à la figure 6.The gear train 15 is also arranged to cooperate with the control shaft 13 by means of a second one-way coupling 20 and a clutch device 21. This coupling and the clutch device are shown in Figure 5 for clarity offset upward. The unidirectional coupling 20 comprises a wheel 22 provided with a series of curved pallets 23 cooperating at their ends with the teeth 24 of a coaxial wheel 25 in engagement with the gear train 15. The wheel 22 is driven when the motor 10 rotates in the second direction, ie when the wheel 25 rotates anti-clockwise in FIG. 6.

Le dispositif d'embrayage 21 est constitué par un disque 30 solidaire en rotation avec l'arbre de commande 13. Ce disque comprend une denture 31 destinée à coopérer dans la position embrayée avec une denture correspondante 32 solidaire de la roue 22 du second accouplement unidirectionnel 20.The clutch device 21 is constituted by a disc 30 integral in rotation with the control shaft 13. This disc comprises a toothing 31 intended to cooperate in the engaged position with a corresponding toothing 32 secured to the wheel 22 of the second unidirectional coupling 20.

Il porte en outre un ergot 33 qui, dans la position débrayée telle que représentée en traits pleins à la figure 5, est sollicité par un ressort à lame 34 dans une ouverture 35 pratiquée dans la paroi fixe 36 solidaire du bâti 3. Un levier 40 monté tournant sur le bâti grâce à un pivot 41 coopère par l'une 42 de ses extrémités avec le disque 30 pour dégager l'ergot 33 de l'ouverture 35 et pour mettre en prise les deux dentures 31 et 32 contre l'effet du ressort 34, telle qu'illustrée en traits interrompus à la figure 5. Lorsque le moteur 10 tourne dans ledit second sens, la roue 22 entraîne le disque 30 qui à son tour entraîne l'arbre de commande 13 contrôlant pendant la rotation d'un tour le mouvement des différents éléments mobiles du dispositif d'introduction. Après avoir effectué un tour, l'ergot 33 glissant sur la paroi 36 retombe dans l'ouverture 35, sous l'effet du ressort 34 et l'arbre 13 est ainsi débrayé de la roue 22 et du moteur 10.It further carries a lug 33 which, in the disengaged position as shown in solid lines in Figure 5, is biased by a leaf spring 34 in an opening 35 formed in the fixed wall 36 integral with the frame 3. A lever 40 mounted to rotate on the frame by means of a pivot 41 cooperates through one 42 of its ends with the disc 30 to release the lug 33 from the opening 35 and to engage the two teeth 31 and 32 against the effect of the spring 34, as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 5. When the motor 10 rotates in said second direction, the wheel 22 drives the disc 30 which in turn drives the control shaft 13 controlling during the rotation of a revolution the movement of the different mobile elements of the introducer. After having completed one revolution, the lug 33 sliding on the wall 36 falls back into the opening 35, under the effect of the spring 34 and the shaft 13 is thus disengaged from the wheel 22 and the motor 10.

Pour commander une introduction de feuille, le levier 40 coopère par son extrémité 43 avec le chariot mobile 4, lorsque ce dernier se trouve dans une position prédéterminée à l'extrémité gauche de l'imprimante. Il est bien entendu que l'embrayage pourra également être commandé par tout autre dispositif manuel ou automatique.To control the introduction of a sheet, the lever 40 cooperates at its end 43 with the movable carriage 4, when the latter is in a predetermined position at the left end of the printer. It is understood that the clutch can also be controlled by any other manual or automatic device.

Les figures 3 et 4 montrent en coupe transversale les différents éléments mobiles en position de repos et dans les positions actives. L'unité d'assemblage 50 représentée isolément à la figure 2 est montée sur le dispositif d'introduction pour former un canal d'introduction 51 pour les feuilles avec un support 52 destine a retenir une pile de feuilles 53. Ce support 52 comporte des guides latéraux 54,55 (fig. 2) avec des coins inférieurs de retenue 56 destinés a coopérer avec les coins inférieurs des feuilles. Le guide latéral 54 de droite à la figure 2 est solidaire d'une coulisse mobile 58 qui peut être déplacée latéralement par le bouton de réglage 59 pour ajuster les guides latéraux au format du papier.Figures 3 and 4 show in cross section the various movable elements in the rest position and in the active positions. The assembly unit 50 shown separately in FIG. 2 is mounted on the introduction device to form an introduction channel 51 for the sheets with a support 52 intended to hold a stack of sheets 53. This support 52 includes lateral guides 54,55 (fig. 2) with lower retaining corners 56 intended to cooperate with the lower corners of the sheets. The lateral guide 54 on the right in FIG. 2 is integral with a movable slide 58 which can be moved laterally by the adjustment button 59 to adjust the lateral guides to the paper size.

Le canal d'introduction 51 comporte, en outre, des éléments de guidage mobiles escamotables 60 sous forme d'ailettes commandées, susceptibles d'être engagées dans le canal d'introduction 51 pour diriger les feuilles à l'intérieur des coins de retenue 56 lors de l'insertion d'une pile de feuilles dans le canal d'introduction (voir figure 3). Ces éléments de guidage 60 sont pivotés en dehors du canal 51 lors de la sélection d'une feuille (voir figure 4).The introduction channel 51 further comprises retractable movable guide elements 60 in the form of controlled fins, capable of being engaged in the introduction channel 51 to direct the sheets inside the retaining corners 56 when inserting a stack of sheets into the feed channel (see Figure 3). These guide elements 60 are pivoted outside the channel 51 during the selection of a sheet (see FIG. 4).

Dans sa partie médiane le support 52 pour les feuilles est muni à son bord inférieur de butées de chargement 64 mobiles escamotables qui peuvent faire saillie dans le canal d'introduction 51 pour retenir une pile de feuilles lors de son insertion (voir figure 3). Ceci est particulièrement utile, lorsque les feuilles sont d'un format trop petit pour être retenues par les coins 56. Ces butées de chargement sont escamotées (voir figure 4) lors du déplacement de la feuille la plus élevée 53a vers la tête d'imprimante.In its middle part the support 52 for the sheets is provided at its lower edge with retractable mobile loading stops 64 which can project into the insertion channel 51 to retain a stack of sheets during its insertion (see FIG. 3). This is particularly useful, when the sheets are too small to be retained by the corners 56. These loading stops are retracted (see FIG. 4) when the highest sheet 53a is moved towards the printer head .

Le support 52 est en outre muni d organes d'appui mobiles 66 sous forme de patins dont la fonction est de solliciter les feuilles contre les galets d'entraînement 11, lorsque la feuille supérieure 53a (figure 4) doit être sélectionnée pour être amenée en regard de la tête d'écriture 6. Ces organes d'appui mobiles 66 sont retirés du canal 51 pour éviter la sélection de la feuille suivante et pour permettre un positionnement aisé de la pile de feuilles de papier lors de son insertion dans le canal.The support 52 is further provided with movable support members 66 in the form of pads whose function is to urge the sheets against the drive rollers 11, when the upper sheet 53a (FIG. 4) must be selected to be brought into look of the writing head 6. These movable support members 66 are removed from the channel 51 to avoid the selection of the next sheet and to allow easy positioning of the stack of paper sheets when it is inserted into the channel.

Dans sa partie aval le canal d'introduction comprend une butée d'alignement fixe 67 constituée par une partie solidaire du bâti du dispositif d'introduction. Cette butée 67 est agencée de façon que, lors d'une première phase d'entraînement de la feuille supérieure 53a par les galets d'entraînement 11, cette feuille soit sollicitée avec son bord antérieur contre cette butée 67 pour obtenir un alignement précis.In its downstream part the introduction channel comprises a fixed alignment stop 67 constituted by a part integral with the frame of the introduction device. This stop 67 is arranged so that, during a first phase of driving the upper sheet 53a by the drive rollers 11, this sheet is urged with its front edge against this stop 67 to obtain a precise alignment.

Dans cette partie aval du canal d'introduction 51 sont encore disposés des éléments déflecteurs 68 qui sont escamotés dans la position de repos et la première phase de la sélection de la feuille supérieure 53a (voir figure 3 et 4 en traits pleins). Dans une seconde phase ces éléments déflecteurs 68 sont pivotés de façon à coopérer avec la feuille supérieure 53a pour enlever son bord antérieur de la butée d'alignement 67 et pour amener ce bord vers les galets d'entraînement 11 de façon que cette feuille supérieure 53a entre en contact avec le pourtour de ces galets, tel que cela est montré en traits interrompus 68a à la figure 4.In this downstream part of the introduction channel 51 are still disposed deflector elements 68 which are retracted in the rest position and the first phase of the selection of the upper sheet 53a (see FIGS. 3 and 4 in solid lines). In a second phase these deflector elements 68 are pivoted so as to cooperate with the upper sheet 53a to remove its front edge from the alignment stop 67 and to bring this edge towards the drive rollers 11 so that this upper sheet 53a comes into contact with the periphery of these rollers, as shown in dashed lines 68a in FIG. 4.

La feuille 53a est alors pressée contre les galets d'entraînement 11 et lorsque ces derniers sont mis en rotation dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre à la figure 4, la feuille passe entre les galets de contre-pression 70,71 et les galets d'entraînement 11 pour passer devant la tête d'écriture 6 et être amenée en face d'un détecteur opto-électronique 72, qui commande l'arrêt de l'entraînement de la feuille à la position qui correspond à la première ligne d'impression.The sheet 53a is then pressed against the drive rollers 11 and when the latter are rotated clockwise in FIG. 4, the sheet passes between the backpressure rollers 70,71 and the drive rollers 11 to pass in front of the writing head 6 and be brought in front of an opto-electronic detector 72, which controls the stopping of the feeding of the sheet to the position which corresponds to the first printing line.

La feuille imprimée est ensuite transportée par les deux roues 73,74 en prise avec le moteur 10 et dont l'une 73 présente une denture et l'autre 74 des crénelures. Ces dernières sont agencées de façon à agir sur le bord arrière de la feuille imprimée pour la soulever et l'amener à se poser sur le réceptacle 75 des feuilles imprimées.The printed sheet is then transported by the two wheels 73, 74 engaged with the motor 10 and one of which 73 has teeth and the other 74 with crenellations. The latter are arranged so as to act on the rear edge of the printed sheet to lift it and cause it to land on the receptacle 75 of the printed sheets.

Les mouvements de tous les éléments mobiles agencés dans le canal d'introduction 51, c'est à dire les éléments déflecteurs 68, les éléments de guidage mobiles escamotables 60, les butées de chargement mobiles 64 et les organes d'appui mobiles 66, sont contrôlés par des cames associées à l'arbre de commande 13.The movements of all the mobile elements arranged in the introduction channel 51, that is to say the deflector elements 68, the retractable mobile guide elements 60, the mobile loading stops 64 and the mobile support members 66, are controlled by cams associated with the control shaft 13.

Tel que visible aux figures 3 et 4, l'arbre de commande 13 présente des premières cames 78 destinées à coopérer avec les éléments déflecteurs 68 pour déplacer ces derniers d'une position escamotée vers une position active et vice versa par rotation autour de l'axe 79.As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the control shaft 13 has first cams 78 intended to cooperate with the deflector elements 68 to move the latter from a retracted position to an active position and vice versa by rotation around the axis 79.

Le mécanisme de commande des éléments de guidage mobiles escamotables 60 est expliqué plus en détail en référence aux figures 7 et 2. Ces éléments de guidage 60 sont articulés tournant grâce a un arbre 80 qui est solidaire d'un secteur denté 81 dont la denture 82 coopère avec la denture 83 prévue à l'extrémité d'un premier bras 84 d'un levier 85. Ce dernier est articulé grâce à un pivot 86 sur le bâti 87 de l'unité d'assemblage 50 et comporte un deuxième bras 88 présentant une fente profilée 89 agencée de façon à coopérer avec un doigt 90 porté par un plateau 95 solidaire de l'arbre de commande 13 (voir figure 1). L'ensemble constitué par la fente 89, le doigt 90 et le plateau 95 forme ainsi un mécanisme a came 91. Ainsi lors d'une rotation de l'arbre 13, le levier 85, le secteur 81 et les éléments de guidage 60 sont pivotés de la position de repos indiquée en traits pleins à la figure 7 vers la position escamotée représentée en traits interrompus. Ils retournent ensuite à leur position de repos dans laquelle les éléments de guidage 60 sont engagés dans le canal d'introduction 51.The control mechanism for the retractable movable guide elements 60 is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 2. These guide elements 60 are articulated rotating thanks to a shaft 80 which is integral with a toothed sector 81 whose toothing 82 cooperates with the toothing 83 provided at the end of a first arm 84 of a lever 85. The latter is articulated by means of a pivot 86 on the frame 87 of the assembly unit 50 and comprises a second arm 88 having a profiled slot 89 arranged so as to cooperate with a finger 90 carried by a plate 95 secured to the control shaft 13 (see FIG. 1). The assembly constituted by the slot 89, the finger 90 and the plate 95 thus form a cam mechanism 91. Thus during a rotation of the shaft 13, the lever 85, the sector 81 and the guide elements 60 are pivoted from the rest position indicated in solid lines to Figure 7 to the retracted position shown in broken lines. They then return to their rest position in which the guide elements 60 are engaged in the introduction channel 51.

En référence aux figures 8 et 2, les organes d'appui 66 sont articulés sur le bâti 87 grâce à des pivots 92. Deux ressorts 93 à tiges métalliques élastiques sollicitent les organes d'appui 66 vers leur position active indiquée en traits interrompus à la figure 8, dans laquelle ils pressent les feuilles contre les galets d'entraînement 11. Des troisièmes cames 94 coopèrent avec les ressorts 93 pour déplacer les organes d'appui 66 vers leur position escamotée représentée en traits pleins à la figure 8 pour permettre la mise en place d'un paquet de feuilles sur le support 52. A la figure 8, on a également représenté un des coins de retenue fixes 56 solidaires du guide latéral 55 et qui présente une forme interne arrondie pour faciliter le dégagement de la feuille supérieure 53a lors de sa sélection.With reference to FIGS. 8 and 2, the support members 66 are articulated on the frame 87 by means of pivots 92. Two springs 93 with elastic metal rods urge the support members 66 towards their active position indicated in broken lines on the Figure 8, in which they press the sheets against the drive rollers 11. Third cams 94 cooperate with the springs 93 to move the support members 66 to their retracted position shown in solid lines in Figure 8 to allow the setting in place of a packet of sheets on the support 52. In FIG. 8, there is also shown one of the fixed retaining corners 56 integral with the lateral guide 55 and which has a rounded internal shape to facilitate the release of the upper sheet 53a during its selection.

Le mécanisme de commande des butées de chargement 64 est expliqué plus en détail en référence à la figure 9. Ces butées mobiles 64 sont montées pivotantes sur une pièce en forme d'étrier 96 grâce à un pivot 97. La pièce en forme d'étrier 96 est elle-même articulée sur le bâti 87 par l'intermédiaire d'un pivot 98 et comprend dans sa partie inférieure une denture 99 destinée à coopérer avec une came 100 solidaire de l'arbre de commande 13 et qui présente également une denture 101. Un ressort à boudin 102 relie la partie arrière des butées de chargement 64 au bâti 87 et sollicite ces dernières vers leur position ou elles sont escamotées du canal d'introduction 51. Par rotation de l'arbre de commande 13, la came 100, la pièce 96 et les butées de chargement 64 sont amenées dans la position indiquée en traits interrompus à la figure 9, ou elles retiennent des feuilles sur le support 52. Une rotation supplémentaire de l'arbre de commande 13 libère le mécanisme qui retourne à la position représentée en traits pleins à la figure 9.The mechanism for controlling the loading stops 64 is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 9. These mobile stops 64 are pivotally mounted on a stirrup-shaped part 96 by means of a pivot 97. The stirrup-shaped part 96 is itself articulated on the frame 87 by means of a pivot 98 and comprises in its lower part a toothing 99 intended to cooperate with a cam 100 integral with the control shaft 13 and which also has a toothing 101. A coil spring 102 connects the rear part of the loading stops 64 to the frame 87 and biases the latter towards their position where they are retracted from the channel d introduction 51. By rotation of the control shaft 13, the cam 100, the part 96 and the loading stops 64 are brought into the position indicated in broken lines in FIG. 9, or they retain sheets on the support 52 An additional rotation of the control shaft 13 releases the mechanism which returns to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 9.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif d'introduction est le suivant. Dans la position de repos, dans laquelle une pile de feuilles peut être mise en place sur le support 52, tel que représenté à la figure 3, les éléments de guidage 60 et les butées de chargement 64 sont dans leur position active. Les organes d'appui 66 et les éléments déflecteurs 68 se trouvent dans leur position escamotée. Suite à une commande d'introduction de papier, le levier 40 provoque l'embrayage du dispositif d'embrayage 21. Le moteur 10 effectue alors dans un premier temps une rotation dans le second sens pour entraîner en rotation l'arbre de commande 13 d'un angle prédéterminé tel que les organes d'appui 66 sollicitent les feuilles 53 contre les galets d'entraînement 11 et tel que les éléments de guidage 60 et les butées de chargement 64 soient escamotés. Dans un deuxième temps, le sens du moteur 10 est alors inversé pour mettre en rotation les galets d'entraînement 11 qui dégagent la feuille supérieure 53a sous les coins de retenue 56 et la déplacent vers le bas pour la solliciter par son bord antérieur contre la butée d'alignement 67. Une faible course supplémentaire est effectuée à ce moment de façon a assurer par pression un alignement précis de la feuille 53a. Lors du troisième temps, le moteur 10 tourne dans le second sens et l'arbre de commande 13 provoque par l'intermédiaire des cames 78 l'avancement des éléments déflecteurs 68 qui sollicitent la feuille supérieure 53a contre les galets d'entraînement 11 (figure 4). Dans un quatrième temps, le moteur 10 tournant dans le premier sens entraîne la feuille jusqu'à la tête d'écriture 6 et au détecteur opto-électronique 72 qui relève son passage exact. Lors du cinquième temps, la rotation du moteur tournant dans le second sens, provoque le retrait des organes d'appui 66 et des éléments déflecteurs 68 au moyen des cames 94 et 78 et l'avancement des éléments de guidage 60 et des butées de chargement 64 par action des cames 91 et 100. Finalement, lors d'un sixième temps, le moteur 10 tourne dans le premier sens pour effectuer l'entraînement de la feuille 53a en regard de la tête d'écriture.The operation of this introduction device is as follows. In the rest position, in which a stack of sheets can be placed on the support 52, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide elements 60 and the loading stops 64 are in their active position. The support members 66 and the deflector elements 68 are in their retracted position. Following a paper feed command, the lever 40 causes the clutch device 21 to be clutched. The motor 10 then firstly rotates in the second direction to drive the control shaft 13d in rotation. 'A predetermined angle such that the support members 66 urge the sheets 53 against the drive rollers 11 and such that the guide elements 60 and the loading stops 64 are retracted. In a second step, the direction of the motor 10 is then reversed to rotate the drive rollers 11 which release the upper sheet 53a under the corners of retainer 56 and move it downwards to urge it by its front edge against the alignment stop 67. A small additional stroke is made at this time so as to ensure by pressure a precise alignment of the sheet 53a. During the third stage, the motor 10 rotates in the second direction and the control shaft 13 causes, via the cams 78, the advancement of the deflector elements 68 which urge the upper sheet 53a against the drive rollers 11 (FIG. 4). In a fourth step, the motor 10 rotating in the first direction drives the sheet to the writing head 6 and to the opto-electronic detector 72 which records its exact passage. During the fifth time, the rotation of the motor rotating in the second direction, causes the withdrawal of the support members 66 and the deflector elements 68 by means of the cams 94 and 78 and the advancement of the guide elements 60 and the loading stops 64 by action of the cams 91 and 100. Finally, during a sixth step, the motor 10 rotates in the first direction to carry out the driving of the sheet 53a opposite the writing head.

En fin d'écriture la feuille est transportée par les roues 73,74 en prise avec le moteur 10 tournant dans le premier sens pour être déposée dans le réceptacle 75.At the end of the writing, the sheet is transported by the wheels 73, 74 engaged with the motor 10 turning in the first direction to be deposited in the receptacle 75.

Cette construction assure un transport de papier fiable avec un alignement précis de la feuille à imprimer tout en permettant de réduire considérablement l'encombrement du dispositif. Un autre avantage résulte du fait que la fabrication et le montage du dispositif sont simplifiés considérant que les éléments mobiles associés au support 52 de papier et à son canal d'introduction 51 sont disposés sur une unité d'assemblage 50 séparée (fig. 2). Le montage de cette unité 50 est effectué séparément et l'ensemble de l'unité 50 peut ensuite être placé sur le bâti 3 comportant le moteur 10 et les arbres d'entraînement et de commande 12,13 avec leurs éléments connexes tels qu'illustrés à la figure 1. Cette construction facilite également les réparations ou permet un échange rapide de l'unité d'assemblage 50.This construction ensures reliable paper transport with precise alignment of the sheet to be printed while making it possible to considerably reduce the size of the device. Another advantage results from the fact that the manufacture and assembly of the device are simplified considering that the movable elements associated with the support 52 of paper and its introduction channel 51 are arranged on a separate assembly unit 50 (fig. 2). The assembly of this unit 50 is carried out separately and the whole of the unit 50 can then be placed on the frame 3 comprising the motor 10 and the drive and control shafts 12, 13 with their related elements as illustrated. in FIG. 1. This construction also facilitates repairs or allows rapid replacement of the assembly unit 50.

Il est bien entendu que le mode de réalisation décrit ci-dessus ne présente aucun caractère limitatif et qu'il peut recevoir toutes modifications désirables à l'intérieur du cadre tel que défini par la revendication 1. En particulier, certains éléments, tels que les butées de chargement 64 ou les éléments de guidage 60, pourront être supprimés dans des variantes simplifiées. Les organes d'appui mobiles 66 pourront être remplacés par un support de feuilles mobile susceptible d'être déplacé ou pivoté pour appliquer les feuilles lors de la sélection élastiquement contre les galets d'entraînement 11. Ces derniers pourront être remplacés par un cylindre de frappe ou d'impression. L'entraînement de l'arbre d'entraînement 12 et de l'arbre de commande 13 pourra également être effectué par deux moteurs sépares.It is understood that the embodiment described above is in no way limiting and that it can receive any desirable modifications within the framework as defined by claim 1. In particular, certain elements, such as the loading stops 64 or the guide elements 60 can be omitted in simplified variants. The movable support members 66 may be replaced by a movable sheet support capable of being moved or pivoted to apply the sheets during selection elastically against the drive rollers 11. The latter can be replaced by a striking cylinder or printing. The drive of the drive shaft 12 and the control shaft 13 can also be carried out by two separate motors.

Claims (13)

  1. A device for introducing sheets into printers or typewriters including a channel (51) for introducing sheets, exhibiting a support (52) designed for retaining a pile of sheets (53), drive rollers (11) arranged on a drive shaft (12) so as to move the upper sheet (53a) of the pile to bring it to face a writing head (6) and an alignment stop (67) arranged upstream of the introduction channel (51), characterized in that the alignment stop (67) is fastened and arranged in such a manner that the upper sheet (53a) be biased in a first phase by the drive rollers (11) with its front edge against said alignment stop (67) and at least one movable deflector member (68) is designed for cooperating with this upper sheet (53a) to remove, in a second phase, its front edge from the alignment stopper (67) and to bring this edge to the drive rollers (11) in such a manner that the upper sheet (53a) comes in contact with the periphery of the drive rollers (11).
  2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes movable retractable guide members (60) arranged in said introduction channel (51) opposite the support (52) in such a manner as to direct the sheets (53) inside retaining corners (56) of this support (52) upon insertion of a pile of sheets (53) into the introduction channel (51).
  3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support is provided with movable biasing members (66) designed for biasing the sheets (53) against the driving rollers (11) by means of resilient rods (93) when the upper sheet (53a) of the pile must be selected to be brought opposite the writing head (6).
  4. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes movable retractable loading stops (64) arranged close to said support (52) and driven in such a manner as to protrude in the introduction channel (51) to retain a pile of sheets (53) upon its insertion into the channel and in such a manner as to be retracted upon the displacement of the upper sheet (53a) towards the writing head (6).
  5. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a control shaft (13) running parallel to the drive shaft (12) of the rollers (11) and having first cams (78) designed for controlling the motion of the movable deflector member (68).
  6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive shaft (12) of the rollers (11) and the control shaft (13) are connected to a single motor (10) capable of rotating in both directions, the drive shaft (12) being provided with a unidirectional coupling arranged in such a manner as to be engaged with the motor (10) in a first direction of rotation of this motor and the control shaft (13) being provided with a second unidirectional coupling arranged in such a manner as to be engaged with the motor (10) in the second direction of rotation of this motor.
  7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control shaft further includes respectively second and third cams (91, 100) arranged in such a manner as to control the forward motion of the movable guide members (60), respectively of the movable loading stops (64), in the introduction channel (51), to facilitate the insertion of the sheets into the introduction channel (51) and the retraction of these guide members (60), respectively of these loading stops (64), upon the displacement of the upper sheet towards the writing head (6), fourth cams (94) arranged in such a manner as to control the forward motion of the movable basing members (66) under the action of resilient members (93) for the displacement of the upper sheet selected and the retraction of these members (66) against the action of said resilient members (93) when the displacement of the upper selected sheet is finished.
  8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes control members (14) arranged in such a manner as to control, during a displacement cycle of the upper sheet (53a) towards the writing head (6)
    - in a first phase of the cycle, a rotation of the motor (10) in said second direction to produce the forward motion of the biasing members (66) by means of the fourth cams (94), to bias the upper sheet against the drive rollers (11) and the retraction of the guide members (60) and of the loading stops (64), by means of the second and fourth cams (91, 100),
    - in a second phase of the cycle, a rotation in the first direction to produce the driving motion of the rollers (11) and the displacement of the upper sheet (53a) in such a manner as to bias the same by its upper edge against the alignment stop (67),
    - in a third phase of the cycle, a rotation in the second direction to produce by means of the first cams (78), a forward motion of the deflector member (68) which biases the upper sheet (53a) against the arrested drive rollers (11),
    - in a fourth phase of the cycle, a rotation in the first direction to drive the sheet up to the writing head (6),
    - in a fifth phase of the cycle, a rotation in the second direction to produce the retraction of the biasing members (66) and of the deflector member (68) by means of the fourth and first cams (94, 78) and the forward motion of the guide members (60) and of the loading stops (64), towards the second and third cams (91, 100),
    - in a sixth phase of the cycle, a rotation in the first direction to drive the sheet under the writing head (6).
  9. A device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes transport members (73, 74) placed downstream of the writing head (6) and comprised of profiled wheels (73, 74) designed for acting upon the back edge of the sheet to lift, transport and place the same on a receiver (75) for printed sheets.
  10. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes detection means (72) capable of detecting the passage of the sheet to allow an accurate positioning of the impression on the sheet.
  11. A device according to one of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it includes a clutch device (21) positioned between the second unidirectional coupling (20) and the control shaft (13) and arranged in such a manner as to establish a driving contact between the second unidirectional coupling (20) and the control shaft (13), following an actuation instruction.
  12. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second unidirectional coupling device (21) is comprised of a wheel (22) with curved blades (23), the outer parts of the blades (23) cooperating with the teeth (24) of a gear wheel (25) positioned around the wheel (22) with blades.
  13. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a separate assembling unit (50), on which are mounted movable members associated with the introduction channel (51) and the support (52), this unit being capable of assembly as a single unit on the remainder of the device.
EP94108604A 1993-09-10 1994-06-06 Apparatus for introducing sheets of paper Expired - Lifetime EP0642999B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH02735/93A CH689277A5 (en) 1993-09-10 1993-09-10 Sheet feeding device.
CH2735/93 1993-09-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0642999A1 EP0642999A1 (en) 1995-03-15
EP0642999B1 true EP0642999B1 (en) 1997-05-14

Family

ID=4240434

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94108604A Expired - Lifetime EP0642999B1 (en) 1993-09-10 1994-06-06 Apparatus for introducing sheets of paper

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5478067A (en)
EP (1) EP0642999B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3600273B2 (en)
CH (1) CH689277A5 (en)
DE (1) DE69403163T2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR970063629U (en) * 1996-05-18 1997-12-11 Paper feeder for electrophotographic processor
TWI229653B (en) * 2003-11-13 2005-03-21 Primax Electronics Ltd Paper-pickup force adjusting mechanism

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2738855A1 (en) * 1977-08-29 1979-03-15 Siemens Ag DEVICE FOR PAPER GUIDING IN PRINTING DEVICES, IN PARTICULAR IN DATA AND TELEPHONE MACHINES
US4211499A (en) * 1978-12-26 1980-07-08 International Business Machines Corporation Paper feeding control apparatus
CA1140601A (en) * 1979-03-30 1983-02-01 Emile F. Stievenart Method and device for separating a sheet from a stack of sheets
US4556209A (en) * 1982-12-01 1985-12-03 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Sheet feeding apparatus
JPS59102739A (en) * 1983-10-31 1984-06-13 Toshiba Corp Sheets transport device
US4795145A (en) * 1986-09-22 1989-01-03 Centronics Data Computer Corporation Cut sheet paper mechanism
US4986525A (en) * 1989-01-25 1991-01-22 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Sheet feed device for use in a printer or the like
US5240242A (en) * 1990-07-05 1993-08-31 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Sheet feeding device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69403163D1 (en) 1997-06-19
EP0642999A1 (en) 1995-03-15
JPH0781793A (en) 1995-03-28
DE69403163T2 (en) 1997-10-09
JP3600273B2 (en) 2004-12-15
CH689277A5 (en) 1999-01-29
US5478067A (en) 1995-12-26

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