Document loader

{
  "publication_number": "US3759509A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Document loader",
  "abstract": "A document hopper, loader and follower assembly is provided wherein documents are automatically loaded into a feed device from a hopper by a movable follower assembly. The follower assembly is so mounted as to allow documents to be added to the hopper while the loading operation is in progress.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A document loader for use with a document feeding device comprising; wall structure forming a hopper including a forward wall toward which documents are fed, said hopper having a first opening into which documents are introduced and a second opening adjacent said forward wall from which documents are expelled, said wall structure further comprising a follower member disposed opposite said forward wall, movable belt means disposed adjacent said wall structure, means connecting said follower member to said movable belt means, means for driving said belt in a direction to move said follower member toward said second opening, and including a switch connecting said drive means to a source of electric power, a first slotted opening formed in said forward wall adjacent said second opening, a first switch actuator arm in the form of a spring extending through said wall and into said hopper for contacting documents located in said hopper and closing said switch in response to movement of documents toward said second opening, a second switch, a second slotted opening formed in said forward wall adjacent said first slotted opening through which said drive means energizing arm extends, a second arm in the form of a spring extending through said second slotted opening and into said hopper for contacting documents in said hopper, said follower member having an opening formed therein in alignment with said second spring arm for releasing said spring to move inwardly into said hopper when documents are no longer present therein, and signal means for indicating the absence of documents in said hopper connected to a power source through said second switch whereby said spring movement into said hopper connects said signal means to its power source.",
    "2. A document loader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wall structure comprises a bottom wall on which the edges of documents are supported in said hopper and said follower member comprises a plate arranged at an angle of substantially 45 degrees with respect to said bottom wall.",
    "3. The document loader of claim 1 wherein said means connecting said follower member to said movable belt means comprises a quick disconnect device including a movable finger element extending into an opening in a surface of said belt means, a portion of the device located to contact the opposite surface of said belt to clamp said belt means between said finger and said portion and a lever movable to disengage said finger element from said belt means, said finger element bEing spring biased into engagement with said belt means opening.",
    "4. The document loader of claim 3 wherein said belt means comprises a belt having said finger contacting surface in which a plurality of equally spaced grooves are formed, the spacing between adjacent grooves forming said opening into which said finger member is received.",
    "5. The document loader of claim 4 in which said wall structure comprises a bottom wall on which the edges of documents are supported in said hopper and said follower member comprises a plate arranged at an angle of substantially 45 degrees with respect to said bottom wall, said bottom wall further having a slotted opening provided therein and said belt being disposed adjacent and aligned with said slotted opening such that said follower member is attached to said belt through said slotted opening.",
    "6. The document loader of claim 1 wherein said first switch and said second switch are connected in series to a common power source.",
    "7. A document loader for use with a document feeder device comprising: wall structure forming a hopper having a first opening into which documents are introduced and a second opening from which documents are expelled, said wall structure including a bottom wall having a slotted opening provided therein extending from one end of said hopper toward said second opening for substantially the length of said bottom wall, a movable belt disposed adjacent said bottom wall and aligned with said slotted opening for access to said belt from inside said hopper, a follower member supported on said bottom wall structure in said hopper outside said second opening, a quick disconnect device including a finger member extending into an opening in a surface of said belt, a portion of said device located to contact the opposite surface of said belt to clamp said belt between said portion and said finger, lever means movable to disengage said finger element from said belt, said finger element being spring biased into engagement with said belt, and means for driving said belt in a direction to move said follower member toward said second opening.",
    "8. The document loader of claim 7 wherein said belt has a finger contacting surface in which a plurality of equally spaced grooves are formed, the spacing between adjacent grooves forming said opening into which said finger member is received."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B65H 1/025",
    "B65H 2511/51",
    "B65H 2511/515",
    "B65H 2513/512",
    "G06K 13/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "HONEYWELL INF SYSTEMS"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1971-12-20",
  "publication_date": "1973-09-18",
  "grant_date": "1973-09-18",
  "priority_date": "1971-12-20",
  "application_number": "US-3759509D-A",
  "family_id": "22780383",
  "citations": [
    "US2295461A",
    "US2696381A",
    "US2847213A",
    "US3378254A"
  ]
}