Automatic sheet feeder having a flexible element on one end of the pick shaft

Abstract

In an auto sheet feeder, a flexible element is disposed monolithically at one end of a pick shaft, the flexible element capable of moving close to or away from the center of a ratchet. A fluctuation section of the flexible element comprises a pawl for engaging with an inner tooth of the ratchet, allowing the ratchet for one-way rotating the pick shaft. A clutch pushes a pin of the flexible element and disengages the flexible element with the ratchet.

1 . An automatic sheet feeder having a flexible element on one end of the pick shaft, comprising:
 a ratchet having a plurality of teeth; and   a pick shaft having a flexible element, the flexible element comprising:
 a fixed section extending from the end of the pick shaft; and 
 a fluctuation section extending from the fixed section capable of moving close to or away from an axis, the fluctuation section comprising at least a pawl for engaging with the teeth of the ratchet, allowing the ratchet for rotating the pick shaft. 
   
   
   
       2 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 1 , further comprising a clutch, the flexible element further comprising a brake pin extending from one end of the fluctuation section for operating with the clutch. 
   
   
       3 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 1  wherein the fluctuation section extends from the fixed section capable of moving close to or away from the center of the ratchet. 
   
   
       4 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of teeth of the ratchet comprises a tooth-like incline and the pawl comprises a pawl-like incline, the extension lines of both the tooth-like incline and the pawl-like incline passing through the center of the ratchet. 
   
   
       5 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 1  wherein the fixed section and the fluctuation section extend from the end of the pick shaft by following the periphery of the ratchet. 
   
   
       6 . An automatic sheet feeder having a flexible element on one end of the pick shaft, comprising:
 a ratchet having a plurality of teeth; and   a pick shaft having a flexible element extending from the end of the pick shaft, the flexible element capable of moving close to or away from an axis and comprising at least a pawl for engaging with the teeth of the ratchet, allowing the ratchet for rotating the pick shaft.   
   
   
       7 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 6 , further comprising a clutch, the flexible element further comprising a brake pin extending from one end of the flexible element for operating with the clutch. 
   
   
       8 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 6  wherein the flexible element extends from the end of the pick shaft capable of moving close to or away from the center of the ratchet. 
   
   
       9 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of teeth of the ratchet comprises a tooth-like incline and the pawl comprises a pawl-like incline, the extension lines of both the tooth-like incline and the pawl-like incline passing through the center of the ratchet. 
   
   
       10 . The automatic sheet feeder of  claim 6  wherein the flexible element extends from the end of the pick shaft by following the periphery of the ratchet.