Methods and devices for controlling a leading edge of a media sheet in an image forming device

Abstract

The present application is directed to devices and methods for moving media sheets within an image forming device. In one embodiment, the device includes a support floor to support the media sheet. Wear members may be positioned across a width of the support floor and include a height to extend outward from the floor. Further, support members may be positioned across the floor and have a height to also extend outward from the floor. The wear members and the support members support the media sheet as it moves along the media path. The heights of the wear members and the support members are such to prevent the media sheet from buckling being a certain amount and preventing media jams.

1 . A media path to move a media sheet within an image forming device comprising: 
 a support floor to support the media sheet;    a plurality of wear members spaced across a width of the support floor, each of the wear members having a height to extend outward from the support floor; and    a plurality of support members extending outward from the support floor and spaced between the plurality of wear members, the plurality of support members having a second height that is less than or equal to the height of the wear members;    the support floor and the plurality of support members including a unitary construction;    a contact surface of each of the plurality of wear members constructed of a material comprising a greater wear resistance than the support floor.    
   
   
       2 . The media path of  claim 1 , further comprising a feeding mechanism to move the media sheet across the plurality of wear members and the plurality of support members.  
   
   
       3 . The media path of  claim 2 , wherein the feeding mechanism comprises a pick arm pivotally mounted relative to the support floor and a roller that contacts the media sheet positioned on the support floor.  
   
   
       4 . The media path of  claim 3 , wherein the roller is substantially aligned with one of the plurality of support members.  
   
   
       5 . The media path of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wear members comprises a body having a unitary construction with the support floor and the plurality of support members.  
   
   
       6 . The media path of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wear members and the plurality of support members include an elongated shape that are aligned substantially parallel.  
   
   
       7 . The media path of  claim 1 , further comprising edge members positioned on each lateral edge of the media path, the edge members comprising an edge surface with an edge resistance that is substantially equal to the plurality of wear members.  
   
   
       8 . The media path of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wear members comprising a substantially flat contact surface that contacts the media sheet.  
   
   
       9 . The media path of  claim 1 , wherein the support members and the wear members are positioned at a curved section of the media path.  
   
   
       10 . A media path to move a media sheet within an image forming device comprising: 
 a support floor to support the media sheet;    a ramp positioned adjacent to the support floor;    a plurality of wear members positioned across a width of the ramp and comprising a height to extend outward from the ramp; and    a plurality of support members positioned across the width of the ramp and comprising a second height to extend outward from the ramp, the second height being less than or equal to the height of the wear members;    the plurality of wear members and the plurality of support members comprising different wear characteristics.    
   
   
       11 . The media path of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of support members and the plurality of wear members are interspersed across the width of the ramp.  
   
   
       12 . The media path of  claim 11 , further comprising a pair of end members positioned at lateral edges of the ramp, the height of the wear members being the same as the end members.  
   
   
       13 . The media path of  claim 10 , wherein the support floor and the plurality of support members comprise a unitary construction.  
   
   
       14 . The media path of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of wear members has a substantially flat contact surface to contact the media sheet.  
   
   
       15 . The media path of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of support members has a curved contact surface.  
   
   
       16 . The media path of  claim 10 , further comprising a feeding mechanism positioned adjacent to the support floor to move the media sheet from the support floor and along the ramp.  
   
   
       17 . A media path to move a media sheet within an image forming device comprising: 
 an angled surface to support the media sheet;    a plurality of wear members positioned across the angled surface and comprising a height to extend outward from the angled surface; and    a plurality of support members positioned across the angled surface and comprising a second height to extend outward from the angled surface, the second height being less than or equal to the height of the wear members;    the plurality of wear members and the plurality of support members comprising different wear characteristics.    
   
   
       18 . The media path of  claim 17 , wherein the angled surface and the plurality of support members comprise a unitary construction.  
   
   
       19 . The media path of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of wear members includes a substantially flat contact surface to contact the media sheet.  
   
   
       20 . The media path of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of support members and the plurality of wear members include different shaped contact surfaces.