Apparatus for automatic document feeding

Abstract

A document input device having a gravity feed paper tray is adapted such that the separator pad is mounted on the base, as opposed to the cover, so that when the cover is opened to access the paper path (as during clearing of a paper jam), paper in the paper tray is held in place by the force of the separator pad against the pick roller, even though the cover is open. The separator pad may be attached to a rod that is attached to the base so as to permit the rod and separator pad to remain in place when the cover is in the open position. A leaf spring may be placed between the rod and the separator pad for biasing the separator pad against the pick roller. Also, the cover may include a spring for biasing the separator pad against the pick roller when the cover is in the closed position.

1 . A document input device comprising:
 a base having a gravity feed paper tray;   a motorized pick roller mounted to the base for feeding paper from the paper tray through a paper path;   a cover attached to the base, the cover having a closed position for covering the paper path when the document input device is in use and an open position as when needed to clear a paper jam; and   a separator pad attached to the base and having one end in contact with the pick roller to control the feeding of paper, wherein the separator pad remains in contact with the pick roller when the cover is in the open position so as to prevent paper in the paper tray from falling into the paper path when the cover is in the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the separator pad is attached to a rod which is attached to the base and wherein the rod and separator pad remain in place when the cover is in the open position. 
     
     
         3 . The input device according to  claim 2 , further including a spring between the rod and the separator pad for biasing the separator pad against the pick roller. 
     
     
         4 . The input device according to  claim 3 , wherein the spring is a leaf spring. 
     
     
         5 . The input device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a spring for biasing the separator pad against the pick roller when the cover is in the closed position.