Sheet feeder having automatic cut-sheet feed, continuous-form feed, and manual sheet insertion modes
First Claim
1. An automatic sheet feeder for use in a printer which includes a drive source, a sheet insertion section, a printing section, a sheet feed means for feeding a continuous-form sheet and a sheet discharge section, the sheet feeder including a hopper in which a stack of cut sheets are stored, and a stacker for storing printed cut sheets thereon, the automatic sheet feeder having a first sheet feed mode for supplying the cut sheet formed in the hopper to the sheet insertion section and a second sheet feed mode for supplying a sheet other than the sheet in the hopper, the automatic sheet feeder comprising:
- the stacker provided pivotably movable between an operative position where the stacker is positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge section of the printer for receiving in the stacker the printed cut sheet printed at the printing section and a spaced position away from the sheet discharge section;
detecting means for detecting the operative position of the stacker, the detecting means providing a first signal indicative of the operative position of the stacker and a second signal indicative of the position of the stacker other than the operative position; and
means for providing the second sheet feed mode when the stacker is out of the operative position in response to the second detection signal from the detecting means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic sheet feeder assembled to a printer which is provided with a sheet feed means for feeding a continuous-form sheet. The sheet feeder includes a hopper for storing therein a stack of cut sheets and a pivotable stacker for storing therein a stack of printed cut sheets. The stacker has operative position for receiving the cut sheets therein and has a spaced position for allowing the continuous form sheet to be printed. Detecting means is provided for detecting pivotal position of the stacker, and control means is provided for feeding the continuous form sheet when the stacker is out of the operative position responsive to the position of the stacker. A sheet feed mechanism is provided for feeding the cut sheets on the hopper to the printer. The sheet feed mechanism becomes inoperative when the continuous-form sheet is to be printed.
33 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic sheet feeder for use in a printer which includes a drive source, a sheet insertion section, a printing section, a sheet feed means for feeding a continuous-form sheet and a sheet discharge section, the sheet feeder including a hopper in which a stack of cut sheets are stored, and a stacker for storing printed cut sheets thereon, the automatic sheet feeder having a first sheet feed mode for supplying the cut sheet formed in the hopper to the sheet insertion section and a second sheet feed mode for supplying a sheet other than the sheet in the hopper, the automatic sheet feeder comprising:
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the stacker provided pivotably movable between an operative position where the stacker is positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge section of the printer for receiving in the stacker the printed cut sheet printed at the printing section and a spaced position away from the sheet discharge section; detecting means for detecting the operative position of the stacker, the detecting means providing a first signal indicative of the operative position of the stacker and a second signal indicative of the position of the stacker other than the operative position; and means for providing the second sheet feed mode when the stacker is out of the operative position in response to the second detection signal from the detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automatic sheet feeder for use in a printer having a print assembly, a drive source and sheet feed means which supplies a continuous-form sheet to the print assembly comprising:
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a side frame; a hopper supported on the side frame for accommodating cut sheets in a stack and having a sheet feed mechanism for supplying the cut sheet one by one to the print assembly; a stacker for accommodating printed cut sheets, said stacker having upward and downward pivotal positions, the hopper and the stacker being assembled to the printer; a gear transmission mechanism for rotatably driving the sheet feed mechanism by the drive source of the printer; position control means provided on the side frame for regulating upward and downward pivotal positions of the stacker and an interlink mechanism for achieving ON/OFF control with respect to a power transmission to the sheet feed mechanism through the gear transmission mechanism in accordance with a movement of the position control means.
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20. An automatic sheet feeder for use in a printer which includes a drive source, a sheet insertion section, a printing section, a sheet feed means for feeding a continuous-form sheet and a sheet discharge section, the sheet feeder including a hopper in which a stack of cut sheets are stored, and a stacker for storing printed cut sheets thereon, the automatic sheet feeder having a first sheet feed mode for supplying the cut sheet stored in the hopper to the sheet insertion section and a second sheet feed mode for supplying a sheet other than the sheet in the hopper, the automatic sheet feeder comprising:
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the stacker provided pivotably movable between an operative position where the stacker is positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge section of the printer for receiving in the stacker the printed cut sheet printed at the printing section and a spaced position away from the sheet discharge section; and
,select means for selecting the sheet feed mode of the automatic sheet feeder in response to the position of the stacker.
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Specification