Pick Tire for an Image Forming Device

Abstract

The present application is directed to a pick tire for moving media sheets within an image forming device. The pick tire includes a base with an inner surface that faces towards a central opening and an outer surface that faces away. A plurality of teeth are formed on the outer surface and contact the media sheets. The plurality of teeth are integrally molded with the base. The molded construction provides for more economical manufacturing costs, better manufacturing consistency, and increased durability.

1 . A pick tire for an image forming device comprising:
 an annular base with an inner surface facing towards a central opening and an outer surface;   a plurality of teeth formed on the outer surface;   the plurality of teeth being integrally molded with the base.   
   
   
       2 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of teeth are substantially identical. 
   
   
       3 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of teeth include a leading and trailing side and a tip. 
   
   
       4 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of teeth are aligned in a parallel arrangement about the outer surface. 
   
   
       5 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of teeth are aligned in a longitudinal arrangement. 
   
   
       6 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of teeth include different shapes. 
   
   
       7 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of teeth are evenly spaced around the outer surface with a gap between each of the plurality of teeth being substantially equal. 
   
   
       8 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , further including an insignia integrally molded with the base to indicate the orientation of the plurality of teeth. 
   
   
       9 . The pick tire of  claim 1 , wherein a geometry of the plurality of teeth are substantially similar to surface configurations obtained by a secondary grinding operation. 
   
   
       10 . A pick tire for an image forming device comprising:
 a base including an outer surface and an inner surface, and   a plurality of teeth being integrally molded into the outer surface of the base, the plurality of teeth being arranged in rows along the outer surface of the base and each including first and second sides that terminate at a tip.   
   
   
       11 . The pick tire of  claim 10 , wherein a width of the plurality of teeth and the base being substantially equal such that the plurality of teeth extend across the base. 
   
   
       12 . The pick tire of  claim 1   0  further comprising gaps positioned between a first tooth and a second tooth of the plurality of teeth. 
   
   
       13 . The pick tire of  claim 10 , wherein a geometry of the plurality of teeth are substantially similar to surface configurations obtained by a secondary grinding operation. 
   
   
       14 . The pick tire of  claim 10 , further including an insignia integrally molded with the base to indicate the orientation of the plurality of teeth. 
   
   
       15 . A pick tire for an image forming device comprising:
 a base with an inner surface facing towards a central opening and an outer surface;   a first tooth extending across a width of the outer surface; and   a second tooth extending across a width of the outer surface;   the first tooth and the second tooth being integrally molded into the base.   
   
   
       16 . The pick tire of  claim 15 , wherein one of the first and second teeth include a width that is less than the base. 
   
   
       17 . The pick tire of  claim 15 , wherein the first tooth is substantially parallel with the second tooth. 
   
   
       18 . The pick tire of  claim 15 , wherein the first tooth includes a different shape than the second tooth. 
   
   
       19 . The pick tire of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second teeth extend outward from the base at substantially the same angle. 
   
   
       20 . The pick tire of  claim 15 , further including a lateral gap positioned between the first and second teeth and a longitudinal gap positioned between the first and second teeth.