Preventing Overfill Of Media Sheets In a Sheet Feeder

Abstract

A flag with a cam is pivotally attached to a sheet stock edge guide in a sheet loading tray of a copier or printer such that in the event the tray is overfilled, the edge of the sheet stack moves the cam to a position causing the flag to be raised to alert the user of the overfill.

1 . A device for preventing overfill of media sheets in a sheet feeder comprising:
 (a) a user loadable tray for positioning media sheets therein and adapted for use with the feeder; and,   (b) an indicator disposed with the tray, wherein upon user fill of sheets in the tray above a predetermined level, the indicator is moved by the sheets from a retracted position to an active position providing an indication of overfill.   
   
   
       2 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator in the active position includes a stop operative to block insertion of the tray into the feeder. 
   
   
       3 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes sheet position edge guides and the indicator is pivotally mounted on one of the guides. 
   
   
       4 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is pivotally mounted on a rear sheet edge guide of the tray. 
   
   
       5 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is operative to display a flag readily visible to the user. 
   
   
       6 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes guides with integrally formal surfaces for pivoting the indicator thereon. 
   
   
       7 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the guides includes surfaces operative to limit movement of the indicator in the active position. 
   
   
       8 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is pivotally mounted onto a retainer and forms a subassembly which is attached to the tray. 
   
   
       9 . The device defined in  claim 8 , wherein the retainer includes integrally formed surfaces operable to pivotally engage and retain the indicator thereon. 
   
   
       10 . The device defined in  claim 8 , wherein the subassembly is attached to a sheet guide on the tray. 
   
   
       11 . The device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is mounted on a sheet guide on the tray and the sheet guide includes surfaces operable to limit movement of the indicator. 
   
   
       12 . A method of preventing overfill of media sheets in a sheet feeder comprising:
 (a) providing a user loadable tray for positioning media sheets therein for insertion into the feeder;   (b) disposing an indicator with the tray and moving the indicator from a retracted to an active indicating position in response to an overfill.   
   
   
       13 . The method defined in  claim 12 , wherein the step of disposing an indicator includes disposing an indicator on the tray for pivotal movement thereon. 
   
   
       14 . The method defined in  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a tray includes providing adjustable sheet edge guides and the step of disposing an indicator includes pivotally mounting an indicator on one of the guides. 
   
   
       15 . The method defined in  claim 14 , wherein the step of disposing an indicator includes pivotally attaching an indicator to a retainer and mounting the retainer on one of the sheet edge guides.