Diverters and image printing apparatus utilizing the same

Abstract

A diverter and an image printing apparatus utilizing the same. The diverter directs media within an image printing apparatus along one of media paths. The image printing apparatus includes a first separating unit, a second separating unit, and a shaft. The shaft is disposed at one side of the first separating unit and on the same side of the second separating unit. The shaft abuts the first and second separating units simultaneously to control directions of movement thereof.

1 . An image printing apparatus for directing media, comprising: 
 a first separating unit;    a second separating unit; and    a shaft, disposed on one side of the first separating unit and on the same side of the second separating unit, contacting the first and second separating units simultaneously to control directions of movement thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first separating unit comprises a first arm; the second separating unit comprises a second arm, disposed on the same side as the first arm and the shaft, and the shaft abuts at the first arm.  
   
   
       3 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the shaft further comprises a hole, and the second arm is partially disposed in the hole with the first arm contacting a top portion of the shaft; the shaft is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position; the second position is between the first position and the third position, and when the shaft is at the first position, the shaft is at a lowest position.  
   
   
       4 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a cam, contacting a bottom portion of the shaft, and the shaft is movable between the first position, the second position, and the third position by rotating the cam.  
   
   
       5 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first separating unit is movable between a first up position and a first down position; the second separating unit is movable between a second up position and a second down position; when the shaft is at the first position, the first separating unit is at the first down position and the second separating unit is at the second down position such that the media passes by an upper surface of the first separating unit; when the shaft is at the second position, the first separating unit is at the first up position and the second separating unit is at the second up position such that the media passes under the second separating unit; when the shaft is at the third position, the first separating unit is at the first up position and the second separating unit is at the second down position such that the media passes between the first separating unit and the second separating unit.  
   
   
       6 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first arm comprises a first protrusion, contacting a top portion of the shaft; the second arm comprises a second protrusion, penetrating the hole, and the cam is abutted at the first protrusion and the second protrusion by the shaft; when the shaft is at the first position, the first protrusion is abutted at the top portion of the shaft; when the cam rotates to move the shaft upward to the second position, the second protrusion remains horizontal in the hole; when the cam rotates to move the shaft upward to the third position, the second protrusion is located at a lower end of the hole.  
   
   
       7 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a cover, and the shaft further comprises a slot and a positioning element; the cover comprises an extended portion, extending to an interior of the cover; the positioning element penetrates the slot to connect the shaft and the extended portion such that movement of the shaft is restricted by the slot.  
   
   
       8 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a moving device, connected to the cam.  
   
   
       9 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the image printing apparatus is an ink-jet printer.  
   
   
       10 . The image printing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the image printing apparatus is a laser-printer.  
   
   
       11 . A diverter for directing media, comprising: 
 a first separating unit;    a second separating unit; and    a shaft, disposed on one side of the first separating unit and on the same side of the second separating unit, contacting the first and second separating units simultaneously to control directions of movement thereof.    
   
   
       12 . The diverter as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first separating unit comprises a first arm; the second separating unit comprises a second arm, disposed on the same side as the first arm and the shaft, and the shaft abuts at the first arm.  
   
   
       13 . The diverter as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the shaft further comprises a hole, and the second arm is disposed in the hole with the first arm contacting a top portion of the shaft, the shaft is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position; the second position is between the first position and the third position, and when the shaft is at the first position, the shaft is at a lowest position.  
   
   
       14 . The diverter as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a cam, contacting a bottom portion of the shaft, and the shaft is movable between the first position, the second position, and the third position by rotating the cam.  
   
   
       15 . The diverter as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first separating unit is movable between a first up position and a first down position; the second separating unit is movable between a second up position and a second down position; when the shaft is at the first position, the first separating unit is at the first down position and the second separating unit is at the second down position such that the media passes by an upper surface of the first separating unit; when the shaft is at the second position, the first separating unit is at the first up position and the second separating unit is at the second up position such that the media passes under the second separating unit; when the shaft is at the third position, the first separating unit is at the first up position and the second separating unit is at the second down position such that the media passes between the first separating unit and the second separating unit.  
   
   
       16 . The diverter as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first arm comprises a first protrusion, contacting a top portion of the shaft; the second arm comprises a second protrusion, penetrating the hole, and the cam is abutted at the first protrusion and the second protrusion by the shaft; when the shaft is at the first position, the first protrusion is abutted at the top portion of the shaft; when the cam rotates to move the shaft upward to the second position, the second protrusion remains horizontal in the hole; when the cam rotates to move the shaft upward to the third position, the second protrusion is located at a lower end of the hole.