Paper pick with mechanical reference

Abstract

A picking mechanism may include a mechanical reference system for establishing the approximate number of sheets that will be “picked” from a larger stack each time the picking process occurs. A pick moves toward the stack of paper to insert itself between two sheets of paper at a level in the stack that is determined by the place the pick resides relative to the stack. In the preferred embodiment, the pick resides at said position because it is positioned at a adjustably fixed relationship to a reference member and the reference member rests on the top of the stack of paper when the pick is in a retracted position. Thus, the vertical distance between the reference member (and the top of the stack) and the point (edge) of the pick determines how many sheets will be picked at a time. Once the picking occurs, the user may easily grasp and remove the picked stack for further handling, and, with preferably with a “flick” of the handle or a quick holding of the handle in a position that retracts the pick from the vicinity of the stack, the picking unit is free to move/slide down toward the new, shorter stack so that the reference member again rests on top of the stack, and the process may start all over again.

1 . A paper picking mechanism comprising:
 a picking unit that is slidable up and down relative to a stack of paper to be picked into multiple sub-stacks of paper;   a pick provided on the picking unit, wherein the pick is moveable into a retracted position distanced form the stack of paper, and extendable toward the stack of paper into an extended position, wherein the pick in the extended position has a tip that pushes into the stack of paper at a location in the stack of paper to separate and lift a sub-stack from the remaining paper;   wherein the location of the tip and the thickness of the sub-stack are determined by a vertical distance between the tip of the pick and a reference surface, said reference surface provided to a side of the pick and adjustable to different elevations above the pick tip;   wherein, when the pick is retracted, the picking unit falls down toward the top of the stack of the paper until the reference surface impacts the top of the stack of paper, and wherein, upon the pick moving toward the stack into the extended position, the pick inserts itself at said location in the stack to separate and lift said sub-stack.   
   
   
       2 . A picking mechanism as in  claim 1 , wherein the pick has a slanted top surface extending upward and rearward from the tip, said slanted top surface being at an angle of 30-45 degrees from horizontal. 
   
   
       3 . A picking mechanism as in  claim 1 , wherein the pick has a slanted bottom surface extending downward and rearward from the tip, said slanted bottom surface being at an angle of 5-10 degrees from horizontal. 
   
   
       4 . A picking mechanism as in  claim 1 , wherein pick is biased to remain in the extended position until a handle connected to the pick is pushed rearward relative to the stack of paper. 
   
   
       5 . A picking mechanism as in  claim 4 , further comprising an additional slanted surface on a bottom side of the pick that is rearward from said bottom slanted surface, said additional slanted surface being slanted about 2 degrees from horizontal.