U.S. patent number 3,770,348 [Application Number 05/124,329] was granted by the patent office on 1973-11-06 for multiple copy arrangement for photocopy machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pitney-Bowes, Inc.. Invention is credited to Samuel W. Martin.
United States Patent |
3,770,348 |
Martin |
November 6, 1973 |
MULTIPLE COPY ARRANGEMENT FOR PHOTOCOPY MACHINE
Abstract
Original documents are recycled through a photocopy machine a
preselected number of times along a selected one of a plurality of
paths of different lengths as determined by the length of the
original document being recycled. The plurality of paths include a
single copy document path and a first and second recycling document
path. Each of the feed paths are so arranged that there is a
portion which is common to the single copy feed path, the
relatively long first recycling document path and the relatively
short second recycling document path. The common portion is
traversed along all of these paths by an original document
regardless of which of the feed paths the original document
initially or ultimately traverses, thereby necessitating only a
single set or bank of control switches for controlling the several
operating functions of the photocopy machine. Control apparatus
which is located in the common portion is situated in advance of
the illuminating station and guides are positioned for directing a
document to be copied into the common portion prior to the document
passing the control apparatus.
Inventors: |
Martin; Samuel W. (Farmington,
CT) |
Assignee: |
Pitney-Bowes, Inc. (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
22414229 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/124,329 |
Filed: |
March 15, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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750912 |
Aug 7, 1968 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
355/102; 271/303;
271/301; 355/51; 399/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B
27/6257 (20130101); G03G 15/602 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03B
27/62 (20060101); G03G 15/00 (20060101); G03b
027/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;355/102,109,50,51,11,12,14 ;271/64,51 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moses; Richard L.
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Pat.
application Ser. No. 750,912, now abondoned filed Aug. 7, 1968, and
assigned to the assignee of this application.
Claims
I claim:
1. A photocopy machine having:
A. guide and transport means defining an illuminating station for
an original document to be copied and an exposing station for copy
paper to be imaged and for transporting an original document and
copy paper through their respective stations,
B. means for simultaneously illuminating an original document and
for projecting an image of indicia thereon onto copy paper as the
original document and copy paper are fed through their respective
stations by said transport means,
C. means for feeding copy paper from a supply thereof,
D. switch means responsive to the movement of a document therepast
for actuating said illuminating means and said copy paper feeding
means, and
E. means for directing an original document past said illuminating
station for making a single copy of the document and for recycling
original documents of varying length past said illuminating station
along a selected one of a plurality of paths of different length as
determined by the length of an original document for making a
plurality of copies of the original document, said document
directing and recycling means comprising
a. means defining a single copy document path, a first recycling
document path and a second recycling document path having a shorter
effective length than said first recycling document path, each of
said recycling document paths having a portion in common with said
switch means and said illuminating station being located in said
common portion of said recycling document paths, and said switch
means being located therein in advance of said illuminating
station,
b. guide means for directing a document to be copied into said
common portion of said recirculating document paths at a location
in advance of said switch means, and
c. control means operable to cause a document to be directed along
a selected one of said recycling document paths in accordance with
the length of the document.
2. A photocopy machine as defined by claim 1 wherein said control
means includes gating means operable to cause an original document
to move along said first or second recycling document path, said
control means being operable to cause said gating means to direct
an original document partaking of its first recirculating cycle to
always move along the longer one of said first or second recycling
document paths.
3. A photocopy machine as defined by claim 2 wherein said control
means further includes sensing means for measuring the length of an
original document passing through said first recycling document
path and for actuating said control means to set said gating means
to cause an original document to move along said first or second
recycling document path in accordance with the measured length of
the document on recirculating cycles subsequent to said first
recirculating cycle.
4. A photocopy machine as defined by claim 3 wherein said sensing
means comrpises said first named switch means and another switch
means spaced apart from said first switch means a distance greater
than the maximum length of said second recycling document path.
5. A photocopy machine as defined by claim 2 wherein said control
means includes said first named switch means and a second switch
means both operatively disposed along said first recycling document
path, one of said switch means being spaced from a second one of
said switch means, whereby said spaced switch means are connected
to control said gating means to pass said original along said
longer one of said recycling document paths when said original
simultaneously contacts both said spaced switch means at least
momentarily and to pass said original along said shorter one of
said recycling document paths when said original contacts both said
spaced switch means one at a time.
Description
This invention relates to a novel arrangement for recirculating
originals through a photocopy machine. More particularly the
invention relates to an improved multiple copy arrangement for
photocopy machines whereby an original may be selectively
recirculated along one of a plurality of possible original sheet
feed paths.
Some known types of photocopy machines provide means for
automatically recirculating an original through an illuminating
station to thereby automatically obtain a desired number of repeat
copies of the same original. Such machines have a single
effectively closed-loop original sheet feed path which can
accommodate originals having variable lengths up to a predetermined
maximum. One difficulty associated with such conventional type
original recirculating arrangements is that it takes just about as
long to obtain a given number of automatic repeat copies of a
relatively short-length original as it does to obtain the same
number of automatic repeat copies of a relatively long-length
original. This condition is imposed by the fact that all originals,
short or long, must travel through the machine along the same
single recirculating sheet feed path. Thus when several automatic
repeat copies of a relatively short-length original are desired
there may be only a relatively short total length of time when the
machine is actually producing copy; considerable wasted time being
consumed in merely transporting the short original over long "dead"
portions of the recirculating sheet feed path. The time delay
apparent here can be bothersome to a machine operator who in this
situation must simply wait for the photocopy machine to slowly
generate the desired number of repeat copies.
One proposal for overcoming the necessity for accommodating such
time delays is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,366 and entitled
"Multiple Copy Arrangement for Photocopy Machines." This device may
be efficiently used in many photocopy machine applications; however
difficulty may be encountered in some cases where the structural
environments and/or the control logic existant in a particular
photocopy machine does not lend itself for use with the device
shown in the above-mentioned patent. The instant invention
contemplates the provision of an alternate improved long and short
feed path arrangement for multiple copy photocopy machines in which
the arrangement of the recirculating feed paths is such that the
control logic of the photocopy machine is greatly simplified in
terms of construction, complexity, cost and maintenance.
More precisely, when there is a requisite duplication of switches
such as in the above-mentioned patent which requires paper actuated
control switches at a number of locations to operate the usual
functions of a photocopy machine, such as illumination, charging,
copy paper feed and knife, there is a higher initial construction
cost, increased maintenance to tend the duplicate switches in the
photocopy machine, and a greater complexity to the circuitry of the
photocopy machine.
What is desired is a photocopy machine which provides a choice of
paths of different length but avoids the complex switching
arrangement of the above-mentioned patent. The present application
solves this problem in a novel and unobvious manner which will be
described below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance therewith, the present invention provides a photocopy
machine having guide and transport means which both define an
illumination station for an original document to be copied and an
exposing station for copy paper, and for transporting an original
document and copy paper through their respective stations. Means
are provided for simultaneously illuminating an original document
onto copy paper while the original document and copy paper are fed
through their respective stations by the transport means, and there
are means for feeding copy paper from a supply thereof. Control
means are provided which are responsive to the movement of a
document therepast for actuating the illuminating means and the
copy paper feeding means, and there are means for directing an
original document past the illuminating station for making a single
copy of the document and for recycling original documents of
varying length past the illuminating station along a selected one
of a plurality of paths of different length as determined by the
length of an original document for making a plurality of copies of
the original document.
The improvement in the present invention is provided in the
document directing means which comprise means for defining a single
copy document path, a first recycling document path and a second
recycling document path having a shorter effective length than the
first recycling document path, each of the document paths having a
portion in common, and including guide means for directing a
document to be copied into the common portion prior to the document
passing the control means, and the control means being located in
the common portion of the paths, in advance of the illuminating
station.
The present invention additionally provides that the document
directing means include gating means for causing an original
document partaking of its first recirculating cycle to always move
along the first recycling document path.
Also included in the present invention is sensing means for
operatively conditioning at least a portion of the gating means to
repeatedly direct the original document along the second recycling
document path when the original is shorter in length than a
preselected minimum short recycle length.
The present invention also includes that the sensing means retain
the portion of the gating means in the operative condition during
the second and subsequent automatic recirculating cycles of the
original document in the machine.
Having briefly described the broad aspects of the present
invention, it is a principal object thereof to provide a new and
improved document directing means with single copy and multiple
copy recycling document paths for a photocopy machine.
One object of the instant invention is to provide an improved
original sheet handling arrangement for photocopy machines wherein
the time required to automatically obtain a plurality of copies
from the same original may be significantly reduced.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a gating
means for causing an original document partaking of its first
recirculating cycle to always move along the longer recycling
document path.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
sensing means for operatively conditioning at least a portion of a
gating means to repeatedly direct the original document along a
shorter recycling document path when the original is shorter in
length than a preselected maximum short recycle length.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel
original recirculating system for photocopy machines whereby an
original from which multiple copies are to be obtained is
transported along a relatively long sheet feed path during the
first recycle of the machine, and during the second and subsequent
recycles thereof is transported along the same relatively long
sheet feed path or along a different relatively short sheet feed
path depending on whether the original is respectively longer or
shorter than a predetermined length.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved
original sheet handling control system for photocopy machines which
is arranged to more efficiently cooperate with the other control
portions of the photocopy machine.
It is another additional object of the invention to provide an
improved original sheet recirculating arrangement for photocopy
machines whereby a plurality of original recirculating sheet feed
paths and associated sheet transport means are provided and are
arranged so as to simplify the associated structural nature of the
machine by reducing to one the number of locations at which paper
actuated control switches are required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more readily apparent from an
understanding of the following detailed description of one
embodiment of the present invention when considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified side elevational view of an electrostatic
photocopy machine adapted with a multiple original document path
system constructed according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating the operational
concept of the instant original sheet feed path arrangement;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view showing the
structural nature and arrangement of the instant apparatus for
recirculating an original through one of a plurality of original
sheet feed paths;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view in partial section
taken along section line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the gate
actuating means for the instant apparatus;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary side elevational views in partial
section and illustrate the two operative positions of each of the
sheet feed path gating means; and
FIG. 8 illustrates a circuit diagram and related control apparatus
for the instant device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of the invention
which is generally indicated at 1 and is shown integrated into an
electrostatic photocopy machine of the direct imaging type. An
original document is carried by guide and transport means defining
an illuminating station 12 wherein the original document is copied
by being illuminated or scanned by an illuminating means or light
source 2 and the reflected image thereof including the indicia (not
shown) borne thereon is simultaneously projected or directed by a
mirror 3 and a lens system 4 for imaging the indicia onto copy
paper at an exposing station also defined by the guide and
transport means and is generally indicated at 5. The guide and
transport means conventionally transport the original document and
copy paper through their respective stations. The original document
is transported past a conventional switch means at A which is
responsive to the movement of an original document therepast for
actuating a gang of switches which operate the light source 2, a
corona discharge unit U, and the conventional means for feeding
copy paper.
Thus when the switch A is actuated by the original document passing
the contact arm for switch A, copy paper having a suitable
photoconductive coating, such as Electrofax paper having a zinc
oxide coating on one side, is drawn by the conventional means for
feeding copy paper from a supply shown as supply roll 6 by feed
rollers 7. The copy paper is cut into sheet length corresponding to
the sheet length of the original document by a cutter mechanism,
generally indicated at 8. The copy paper is conveyed by feed
rollers 7b to the corona discharge unit U, operating to place a
uniform electrostatic charge on the photoconductive coating of the
copy sheet. From the corona discharge unit U, the copy sheet is
conveyed by feed rollers 7c past the exposing station 5 while the
original document is being illuminated by the light source 2.
In accordance with well-known electrostatic copying techniques, the
image to be copied is projected onto the photoconductive layer in
contacting engagement with a conductive substrate of the copy paper
sheet. The conductive substrate is effective to selectively
discharge the uniform electrostatic charge on the photoconductive
coating in correspondence with the image light intensity projected
by the lens system 4. Thus an image of the indicia borne by the
original document is transformed into a corresponding latent
electrostatic image on the zinc oxide layer of the copy paper
sheet. The sheet is then fed by feed rollers 7d through a
development station, generally indicated at D, where the latent
electrostatic image is developed using a suitable toner. From the
development station D, feed rollers 7e convey the sheet to a drying
station, generally indicated at S, where the developed image is
fixed. Feed rollers 7f and 7g convey the copy sheet to a
compartment W, where successive copies are accumulated for ultimate
removal by the operator.
While the copy sheet is being developed, the document sheet is
conveyed, as will be described below, through the machine.
It should be noted that conventional means are provided which will
be described below, for directing the original document past the
illuminating station 12 for making a single copy of the document
and for recycling original documents of varying length past the
illuminating station 12 along a selected one of a plurality of
paths shown as two paths of different length as determined by the
length of the original document. The length of the original
document is sensed and accordingly directed along the shorted or
longer path for making a plurality of copies of the original
document.
The foregoing description of the disclosed photocopy machine and
its various working components is intended to set forth the
environment in which the multiple copy arrangement of the invention
is adapted, and therefore should not be interpreted in a limiting
sense.
Referring now to FIG. 2 as well as FIG. 1, the instant machine,
when conditioned to make a single copy of an original document, is
adapted by the document directing means to direct an original
document along a single copy document path from the inlet 9 of the
machine having an initial portion 10 of a main sheet feed path 11,
along the main sheet feed path 11 and through the conventional type
illuminating station 12, and then towards and through a terminal
portion 13 of the main feed path to the outlet station 14 of the
machine. This type of operation and arrangement is similar to that
described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,366 and need
not be further explained here.
Means are provided in the document directing means for
automatically recirculating an original back to and through the
main feed path when it is desired to automatically produce several
copies of the same original, such means including a control means
operable to cause a recycle gating means 15 which is disposed
adjacent the terminal portion 13 of the main feed path and which
may be conditioned so that the original after passing the
illuminating station 12 will be recycled along a path indicated at
16 so as to enable the original document to be conducted back along
feed path portions 17, 17a and then into the single copy document
path or main path so as to be moved through the illuminating
station 12 a second, third or more desired number of times. A
second gating means 18 is provided so that an original may take a
second different possible feed path in being recirculated two or
more times past the illuminating station 12. Gating means 18 are
normally set in a first inoperative position so as to normally
direct the original along a first recycling document path which is
a relatively long recirculating feed path, as represented by path
portions 11, 12, 16, 17, 17a, but may be set to a second operative
position so as to direct the original along a second recycling
document path which is a relatively short recirculating feed path
as represented by feed path portions 11, 12, 19, 17a. Which one of
these two possible feed paths is taken by a given original is
determined by a physical condition, e.g. length of the original. If
the original from which multiple copies are to be made is longer
than a predetermined length then such an original will be
recirculated along the relatively long sheet feed path. On the
other hand if the original is shorter than the predetermined length
then considerable time will be saved by having such a short
original recirculate through the relatively short feed path. Path
portions 11, 12 and 17a are common to all three paths, i.e., the
single copy document path and the first and second recycling
document path.
A sensing means is included in the control means and is provided
for first sensing the length of a recirculated original document
and then accordingly actuating the control means to set the gating
means 18 to the proper position; this sensing means includes three
electrical switches A, B and C that are operatively positioned
along the sheet feed path, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The switches
A and B are located a predetermined effective distance apart which
is greater than the maximum length of the original document to be
recirculated along the second recycling document path. Switch C is
located closely adjacent to and effectively slightly upstream from
switch B so as to be operated by the leading edge of an original
document at a time slightly before that of switch B. When the
machine is conditioned to make multiple copies and an original
document is initially inserted into the machine inlet 9 the
positions of the gating means 15 and 18 will cause this original
document to move along the relatively long feed path so that the
length of the original document may be sensed by the switches A and
B. In this connection if the leading edge of the original document,
after having first operated switch A, subsequently operates switch
B before the trailing edge thereof runs off switch A, then it will
thereby be determined that the original document is longer than the
effective distance between switches A and B and hence will need to
follow the relatively long path through the machine. Under these
conditions gating means 18 will remain in an inoperative position.
On the other hand if by the time the leading edge of the original
document operates switch B the trailing edge thereof has already
run off switch A then it will thereby be determined that the
original document is relatively short, i.e., is shorter than the
effective distance between the switches A and B, and the gating
means 18 will be thereby shifted so that the short original
document may follow the relatively short feed path. After the
prescribed number of copies of a long or a short original document
have been made the gating means 15 (and gating means 18 if
required) is restored to its inoperative position so that the
original document is directed to the outlet station 14. Suitable
electrical means to be described are provided to afford the
above-noted sequencing and control for the gating means 15 and 18.
By this arrangement it will be seen that an original document may
be conducted along the appropriate one of a plurality of possible
recirculating paths, thereby avoiding the heretofor bothersome time
delays incurred when feeding a relatively short length original
document over a relatively long recycle feed path.
FIGS. 3-8 illustrate one specific embodiment of the instant
invention which provides a multiple recycle path arrangement and
operation corresponding to that generally described above in
connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. Only that much of the structure of a
photocopy machine which is pertinent to the instant recycling
apparatus is shown in the drawings and it will be understood that
unless otherwise stated the various parts illustrated may be
constructed, supported and/or arranged in any suitable manner
wellknown in the art. Referring particularly to FIGS. 3-7 there is
shown a machine frame 20 comprising a base 21 having fixedly
secured thereto a pair of parallel upstanding side frames 22 and 23
which support a sheet feed head H. The head H comprises a parallel
pair of mounting plates 24 and 25 that are mutually secured
together by, inter alia, an inclined upper deck plate 26 which
provides an entry guide means for the manual feeding of originals
into the machine. A first set of three feed rolls 30, 31 and 32
being secured to shafts 33, 34 and 35, respectively and each having
axially spaced portions corresponding to the portions 30a, 30b and
30c, FIG. 3, for roll 30. Shafts 33 and 34 are rotatably mounted on
the mounting plates 24 and 25 by means suitable bushings 36 while
shaft 35 is rotatably mounted on the fixed machine side frames 22
and 23 by means of suitable bushings 37. Bushings 36 are located in
two sets of opposed slots 40, 41, 42 and 43 formed in the mounting
plates 24 and 25, the axes of the holes in each such set being
disposed in a substantially vertical plane, the upper set of
bushings 36 being spring biased downwardly towards the bottom of
slots 40 and 41 by means of tension springs 44 and 45. The ends of
springs 44 and 45 are secured in the upper portion of slots 42 and
43 so as to urge the peripheral portions of roll 30 into engagement
with the corresponding portions of roll 31 as is illustrated in
FIG. 4. Roll 31, being carried by mounting plates 24 and 25, is
held in similar engagement with roll 32 by reason of the head H
being secured in a position adjacent the mounting plates 24 and 25.
The three rolls 30, 31 and 32 are rotatably interconnected by gears
50, 51 and 52, (FIG. 4), secured to the respective roll shafts 33,
34 and 35 and are adapted to be driven by a sprocket and chain
arrangement 53, 54 that is operatively coupled to the left end (as
seen in FIG. 4) of shaft 35.
The downstream end of the upper deck plate 26 terminates adjacent
the nip of rolls 30 and 31. Disposed immediately downstream from
said roll nip is a pair of mutually conforming spaced arcuate guide
plates 55 and 56, FIG. 3, that are mounted on and between said
mounting plates 24 and 25 and are flared slightly outwards at their
respective upstream ends so as to facilitate entry therebetween of
an original that is emerging from between said rolls 30 and 31. The
outer guide plate 56 is centrally slotted as at 57 so as to permit
the operating arm of a switch A to protrude therethrough and into
the path of an original passing between the plates 55 and 56;
switch A being centrally mounted between the side frames by any
suitable bracket means 58. Complimenting the outer guide plate 56
is a deflector plate 59 that is mounted on and between the side
frames 22 and 23 in such a manner as to conform to the shape of the
inner guide plate 55. The downstream ends of the guide plate 55 and
the deflector plate 59 are disposed adjacent the nip of rolls 31
and 32. Disposed immediately downstream from the nip of rolls 31
and 32 is a horizontally disposed pair of guide members 60 and 61,
member 60 being supported on and between the side frames 22 and 23
while member 61 is supported on and between the mounting plates 24,
25. The lower member 60 is formed with a wide transverse slot 62
that extends throughout most of the length of member 60 extending
between the side frames. A glass plate 63 disposed over the slot is
secured by any suitable means to the upper surface of guide member
60 so as to support an original moving thereover while still
permitting the lower face of the original to be irradiated or
illuminated from below as illustrated by the arrows at the
illuminating station 12 of FIG. 2. The upstream ends of the guide
member 61 and the glass plate 63 that are located adjacent the
downstream side of the nip of rolls 31 and 32 are flared slightly
so as to facilitate entry therebetween of an original that is
emerging from between the rolls 31 and 32. Disposed adjacent the
downstream ends of the guide member 61 and glass plate 63 is
another set of three cooperating feed rolls 64, 65 and 66 which are
constructed, supported, intergeared and driven in a manner similar
to that described above for rolls 30, 31 and 32 respectively.
Disposed immediately downstream from the nip of rolls 65 and 66 is
a guide plate 67 that is mounted on and between the side frames 22
and 23 and is flared slightly downward at its upstream end so as to
facilitate guiding of an original that is emerging from between the
rolls 65 and 66. Cooperating with guide plate 67 to form a feed
path for the original is surface 70 of a gating member 71 that is
pivotally mounted on and between the side frames 22 and 23.
Downstream from the gating member 71 is another cooperating guide
plate 72 that is mounted on and between mounting plates 24 and 25
and is operatively flared as to 72a so as to facilitate further
guiding of an original that is approaching along the surface 70.
The downstream ends of the guide plates 67 and 72 are disposed
adjacent the nip of a pair of cooperating feed rolls 73 and 74
which are arranged, supported, intergeared and driven in a manner
similar to that described above for rolls 31 and 32 respectively.
Disposed immediately downstream from the nip of rolls 73 and 74 is
an arcuate surface 75 of a gating member 76 that is mounted on and
between the side frames 22 and 23 and is adapted to conduct an
original to the machine output station 14, FIG. 2.
When the machine is conditioned for operation the feed rolls 32, 66
and 74 will be continuously driven from a common chain, such as
illustrated at 54, FIG. 4, and hence the other feed rolls 31, 30,
65 and 64, and 73 will also be continuously rotated through gearing
such as 52, 51 and 50, etc. As will be apparent when an original to
be copied is manually inserted into the machine, i.e., along deck
plate 26, the leading edge thereof will first move into the nip
between rolls 30 and 31 and will be thereafter advanced between the
successive roll pairs 31 and 32, 65 and 66, and 73 and 74 and the
associated guide means and finally out to the machine output
station 14 (FIG. 2). This main original sheet feed path or single
copy document path is illustrated by reference numerals 11 and 13
of FIG. 2 and represents the predetermined feed path to be followed
by an original that is to be copied only once. It will be
understood that during such single-copy operations of the machine
the gating means 71 and 76 are both disposed in their counter
clockwise positions away from their FIG. 3 positions so that their
respective surfaces 70 and 75 are operative to guide the original
to the output station 14 (FIG. 2).
When more than one copy of an original is to be automatically made
the gating means 76, corresponding to 15 of FIG. 2, together with
additional guide means to be described will cause the original to
be automatically recirculated through the machine a number of times
corresponding to the number of copies desired. This arrangement
comprises the gating means 76 which has an additional guide surface
77 formed thereon and which is fixed to a shaft 80 that is
pivotally mounted by suitable bushings on the side frames 22 and
23. As will be apparent, the arcuate surface 77 is swingable from a
normal retracted or inoperative position shown by the solid lines
of FIG. 6 to an active position shown by the dotted lines of FIG. 6
wherein the upstream edge of the arcuate surface 77 extends into
the main original feed path so that an original may be guided into
a recirculating feed path as indicated by arrow 16 of FIG. 2.
Disposed adjacent to the gating member 76 is a pair of parallel
guide plates 81 and 82 that are mounted on and between the mounting
plates 24 and 25 and form adjacent their upstream ends an arcuate
portion cooperating with the closely adjacent cylindrical outer
surfaces of roll 73. The upstream ends of guides 81, 82 have
slightly flared portions to facilitate entry therebetween of an
original approaching from along the arcuate surface 77 and roll 73,
the guide plates 81 and 82 terminating adjacent to the nip of the
rolls 64 and 65. The guide plate 81 is centrally slotted as at 81a
so as to receive the two operating arms of two electrical switches
B and C that are centrally mounted on and between the mounting
plates 24 and 25 and disposed immediately downstream from the nip
of the rolls 64 and 65 is a cooperating horizontal pair of guide
plates 83 and 84, the upstream ends of the plates 83 and 84 being
slightly flared as shown so as to facilitate entry therebetween of
an original that is emerging from between rolls 64 and 65, the
downstream ends thereof being disposed adjacent the end of deck
plate 26. It will be understood that certain terminal portions of
the various guide means and gating members extend into the regions
between the coaxial grooved portions of the various feed rolls as
may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The gating means corresponding to 18 of FIG. 2 includes the gating
member 71 which is provided with the guiding surface 70 and also
with an arcuate guide surface 85. The gating member 71 is fixed to
a shaft 86 that is pivotally mounted by suitable bushings, not
shown, on the side frames 22 and 23. The gating member 71 is
swingable between a normal position and an operative position as
shown respectively by the solid and dotted lines in FIG. 7 so as to
be determinative of whether an original that is being recirculated
will move along a relatively long recycle path around feed roll 73
(corresponding to arrow 16 of FIG. 2) or along a relatively short
recycle path around feed roll 65 (corresponding to arrow 19 of FIG.
2). A guide plate 87 mounted on and between the mounting plates 24
and 25 cooperates with the closely adjacent cylindrical surfaces of
roll 65 so as to guide an original that is following along the
relatively short feed path into the nip between feed rolls 64 and
65. As will be apparent when the recycle gating member 76 is in the
operative position shown in FIG. 3 any original that is manually
fed into the machine will be automatically recirculated through the
machine so that thereafter, depending on the position of gating
member 71, it may move along a short or a long sheet feed path so
as to thereby automatically repeatedly move through the
illuminating station of the machine a desired number of times in
order to produce a corresponding number of copies thereof.
The means for actuating the gating members 71 and 76 will now be
described. Gating member 76 is adapted to be operated by a sensing
means or solenoid 90, FIG. 5, that is mounted on the machine side
frame 22 by any suitable means. Affixed to the outboard end of the
shaft 80 carrying gating member 76 is an actuating arm 91 that is
connected by means of a spring 92, acting as a yieldable link to
the armature 93 of the solenoid 90. A spring 94 yieldably biases
the actuating arm 91 and thus the gating member 76 to a normal or
inoperative position shown by the solid line of FIG. 6, the
armature 93 here being in a normal extended or outward position
shown in FIG. 5. When solenoid 90 is energized the gating member 76
will be pivoted to its dotted solid line position shown in FIG. 6,
the spring 92 now being effectively stronger than spring 94,
whereby an original will be recycled through the machine as
illustrated by the arrow 16 of FIG. 2. In a similar fashion, the
gating member 71 fixed to a cross shaft 86 that is rotatably
mounted by any suitable means in side frames 22, 23. Secured to the
outer end of shaft 86 is an actuating arm 95 that is connected by
means of a spring 96 to the armature 97 of the solenoid 98. A
spring 99 yieldably biases actuating arm 95 in a counter clockwise
direction as seen in FIG. 5 and thus the gating member 71 to the
normal or inoperative position shown by the solid lines of FIG. 7.
When solenoid 98 is energized the gating member 71 will be pivoted
to its dotted line position as shown in FIG. 7, the spring 96 now
being effectively stronger than spring 99, whereby any recirculated
original after passing through the illuminating station 12 the
second time will be diverted into the relatively short feed path as
indicated by the arrow 19 of FIG. 2. Any suitable stop means are
provided to insure the proper location on the gating members in
each of their respective operative and inoperative positions.
The conditioning of the photocopy machine for multiple copies
required not only a conditioning of the controls that operate the
two gating means as above-described but also necessitates the
setting of a counting means whereby the machine will be
automatically recycled a preselected number of times corresponding
to the number of copies desired. To this end the instant machine is
provided with a counter which is functionally tied in with the gate
control circuit as will now be described in connection with FIG. 8.
A shaft 100, FIG. 8, is rotatably supported in side frame 22 by any
suitable means and has a hand wheel 101 secured to the outer end
thereof. A manually set copy-counting ratchet wheel 102 also
secured to the shaft 100 cooperates with an oscillatable pawl 103
which, upon being oscillated on a suitable support shaft 104 serves
to incrementally rotatably index the shaft 100 in a counter
clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 8, shaft 104 being mounted by
any suitable means on the machine frame. The pawl 103 is biased in
a counter clockwise direction by means of a suitable spring 105 and
is oscillatably actuated in a clockwise direction by means of a
solenoid 106 through a suitable link 107. The number and rotative
position of the numerical indicia on the hand wheel 101 corresponds
to that for the teeth of ratchet wheel 102.
The number of ratchet steps possible for ratchet 102 and thus for
shaft 100 for any given setting of the hand wheel 101 corresponds
to the number of copies that will be automatically produced as will
be explained below. A pin 108 is fixed to the hand wheel 101 so
that in a home position thereof it will contact the actuating arm
of a normally closed electrical switch 109 thereby holding this
switch in an open condition. When it is desired to automatically
produce more than one copy of an original the hand wheel 101 is
manually rotated in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 8, so
that the desired copy number of the periphery of the hand wheel 101
is opposite a fixed pointer 110, the latter being supported by any
suitable means on the machine frame. This manual rotation of hand
wheel 101 and the accompanying rotation of the shaft 100 will
produce two actions. First the pin 108 will move out of contact
with the actuating arm of the electrical switch 109 thereby closing
switch 109 and producing electrical circuit changes as will be
discussed later, and secondly, the ratchet wheel 102 is rotated
through a tooth distance corresponding to the number of copies
desired and is yieldably retained in this displaced position by a
detent leaf spring 112 that is suitably affixed at one end thereof
to the machine frame.
Once the instant machine is conditioned to produce multiple copies
the logic system must first determine whether the original
thereafter inserted in the machine is a relatively long or a
relatively short document, i.e., is respectively longer or shorter
than the effective distance between switches A and B. Once the
length of an original has been effectively measured then the gating
member 71 must be accordingly set. If when the leading edge of an
original effectively reaches the arm for switch B the trailing edge
thereof has not yet ridden off the arm for switch A then this
original is longer than the predetermined distance between switches
A and B and thus will be too long to recirculate through the short
feed path represented by reference numerals 11, 19 and 17a of FIG.
2 and hence must recirculate around the long feed path represented
by reference numerals 11, 13, 16, 17 and 17a of FIG. 2. If on the
other hand when the leading edge of the original reaches the arm
for switch B the trailing edge thereof has already ridden off of
the arm for switch A, then this document is shorter than the
predetermined length and hence may recirculate round the short feed
path. Each recirculation of the original through the machine causes
the ratchet wheel to be advanced one step toward its home position
until the desired number of copies have been made at which time the
gating members 71 and 76 are restored to their normal inoperative
positions and the original is directed to the the output station 14
(FIG. 2) of the machine.
The circuit diagram for the instant control system is illustrated
in FIG. 8. Here the multiple copy function control circuit 115 is
effectively connected across the power supply lines 120, 121
through the switch 109. The gate control solenoid 90 is connected
between line 121 and switch 109 by lines 122 and 123. The gate
control solenoid 98 is connected between the lines 121 and 123 by
lines 124, 125 switch C, line 126, 127, relay switch contacts r,
and line 130. A line 131 is connected between switches C and B, and
a line 132 is connected between switches B and A. The counter
solenoid 106 is connected between the lines 123 and 121 by means of
lines 134, 135, switch A, and line 133. The holding relay 136,
which controls, as illustrated at 137, the switch contact r, is
connected across lines 123 and 121 by lines 140, 141, 127, relay
contact r, and the line 130.
A description of the overall operation of the instant original
handling arrangement will now be made. When the machine is turned
on, all the cooperating feed rolls shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be
continuously driven by means of the chain 54. As long as the
machine is conditioned to produce a single copy of an original,
i.e., when the hand wheel 101 is in its home position shown in FIG.
8 the thumb wheel pin 108 will hold the switch arm of the normally
closed switch 109 in a depressed condition so that switch 109 is
held open. Thus the solenoids 90 and 98 remain de-energized and the
gating means 71 and 76 remain in the elevated inoperative solid
line positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, so that any original fed
into the machine moves directly there through and into the output
station 14 (FIG. 2) so as to produce a single copy thereof. When it
is desired to condition the machine to make more than one copy of
an original, the hand wheel 101 is manually turned in a clockwise
direction, as seen in FIG. 8, until the number indicative of the
duplicate copies desired is positioned adjacent the fixed pointer
110, the hand wheel being yieldably held in this position by said
yieldable detent 112. This displacement of the wheel 101 will cause
pin 108 to move away from the arm of switch 109 so that the latter
will assume its normal closed position whereby the multiple copy
circuit 115 will be placed in condition to be operated under the
control switches A, B and C shown in FIG. 2. Here solenoid 90 is
immediately energized so that the gating member 76 is swung to and
held in the operative position indicated by the dotted lines in
FIG. 6 whereby any original thereafter fed into the machine will be
recirculated as indicated by arrow 16 of FIG. 2. When the machine
operator inserts the original into the machine, the cooperating
feed rolls 30, 31 will engage and advance the original so that the
leading edge thereof will subsequently engage the arm for switch A
and will place switch A in its dotted line condition illustrated in
FIG. 8. This action will energize the solenoid 106 so that the
counting ratchet 102 and wheel 101 will be arcuately displaced the
equivalent of one tooth or counting space so that the next lower
hand wheel number will now be adjacent the pointer 110. The
original thus passes through the illuminating station 12 and moves
along path 13 until it reaches the now operatively positioned
gating member 76 which will redirect the original along the
recirculating feed path toward switches B and C as indicated by
arrow 16 of FIG. 2. Any original that is to be recirculated in the
machine will always move around the long path on every first
recycle of such original during which time the length thereof is
sensed so that the gating means 71 may thereafter be appropriately
selected and set for the second and subsequent recirculating cycles
depending on the sensed length of the original. During the second
and all subsequent recycles the original will always move along the
long path except in the one case where during the first recycle the
original is sensed to be relatively short in which case the gating
member 71 will be shifted to an operative position for causing the
second and subsequent recycles of the original to follow the short
path. More specifically if an original to be recirculated in the
machine is sensed to be relatively long, i.e., if the leading edge
thereof reaches the normally closed switch B before the trailing
end thereof rides off the switch A, then switch B will never be in
a closed condition when switch A is in its solid line position
shown in FIG. 8 and hence the holding relay 136 for causing
energization of the short path control solenoid 98 will not be
pulled in and the gating member 76 will remain in its inoperative
position so that the original will continue to recirculate around
the long feed path the prescribed number of times. After the
ratchet wheel 102 has thus been successively advanced the number of
times by the successive operation of switch A and solenoid 106 the
hand wheel 101 will be restored to its normal FIG. 8 position
wherein switch 109 will be opened so that the now inoperatively
positioned gating member 76 will direct the original into the
machine output station 14. If on the other hand the original that
is initially recirculated in the machine is sensed to be relatively
short, then the switch A will be restored to its normal solid line
FIG. 8 position before the normally closed switch B is opened and
in that switch C is always operated slightly before switch B, as
seen in FIG. 2, there will be a short period when a circuit is
established through the three switches A, B and C and the holding
relay 136. Here then when the trailing end of a short original thus
runs off of the arm for switch A the relay contact r will be closed
and held closed even after the subsequent opening of any one of the
three switches A, B or C. When the trailing edge of the short
original runs off the arm for switch C the latter will be restored
to its normal solid line condition of FIG. 8 whereby the short path
solenoid 98 is energized through the now closed contact r and will
remain energized thus holding the gating member 71 in its operative
condition shown by the dotted lines of FIG. 7. Under these
conditions after the short original subsequently passes by the
illuminating station 12 (FIG. 2), the now operatively positioned
gating member 71 will cause the original to repeatedly follow
around the short feed path. When moving along the short feed path
the original will not operate switches B or C but will cyclically
operate only switch A. Thus the gating member 71 remains in its
operative position until switch A has actuated the counter solenoid
106 the prescribed number of times corresponding to the number of
copies desired whereupon switch 109 will be opened and the holding
relay 136 will be de-energized. The machine is thereby restored to
its normal condition and the short original is discharged into the
machine output station 14.
As may be seen the instant original recirculating means and the
controls therefor are simplified and reliably arranged for
prolonged use over extended periods of time.
Since many changes could be made in the embodiment of the invention
as particularly described and shown herein without departing from
the scope of the invention, it is intended that this embodiment be
considered as exemplary and that the invention not be limited
except as waranted by the following claims.
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