Feeding mechanism

Abstract

A feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism includes a shaft, an arm and a resilient element. The arm rotates on the shaft and has a second contact surface. The resilient element has a first contact surface contacting the second contact surface at a first contact point and exerts a first torque on the shaft when the arm is in a first position, and the first contact surface contacts the second contact surface at a second contact point, exerting a second torque on the shaft when the arm is in a second position, the first torque being substantially equal to the second torque.

1 . A feeding mechanism, comprising: 
 a shaft;    an arm rotating on the shaft, having a second contact surface; and    a resilient element having a first contact surface, wherein the first contact surface contacts the second contact surface at a first contact point and exerts a first torque on the shaft when the arm is in a first position, contacting the second contact surface at a second contact point, and exerts a second torque on the shaft when the arm is in a second position, the first torque being substantially equal to the second torque.    
   
   
       2 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a roller connected to the arm, contacting a media sheet and exerting the first torque thereon.  
   
   
       3 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a tray with at least one media sheet disposed therein.  
   
   
       4 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the resilient element is fixed to the tray.  
   
   
       5 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient element is a torsion spring.  
   
   
       6 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the torsion spring has an extended portion with the second contact surface disposed thereon.  
   
   
       7 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the torsion spring has a fixed end and a pivot, both fixed to the tray, and the extended portion rotates on the pivot.  
   
   
       8 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface is a flat surface.  
   
   
       9 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second contact surface is a flat surface.  
   
   
       10 . A feeding mechanism, comprising: 
 a shaft;    an arm rotating on the shaft, having a second contact surface;    a resilient element; and    a contacting member connecting the resilient element and having a first contact surface, wherein the first contact surface contacts the second contact surface at a first contact point and exerts a first torque on the shaft when the arm is in a first position, contacting the second contact surface at a second contact point, and exerts a second torque on the shaft when the arm is in a second position, the first torque being substantially equal to the second torque.    
   
   
       11 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a roller connected to the arm, wherein the roller contacts a media sheet and exerts the first torque thereon.  
   
   
       12 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a tray with at least one media sheet disposed therein.  
   
   
       13 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the resilient element is a torsion spring.  
   
   
       14 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the torsion spring is fixed to the tray.  
   
   
       15 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the torsion spring has a fixed end and a pivot both fixed to the tray, and the extended portion rotates on the pivot.  
   
   
       16 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the resilient element is a tension spring connecting the tray and the contacting member.  
   
   
       17 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first contact surface is a flat surface.  
   
   
       18 . The feeding mechanism as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second contact surface is a flat surface.