Retard roller

Abstract

Various embodiments and methods relating to use of a retard roller opposite a driven roller are disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for comprising:
 a media support surface configured to support a stack of sheets;   a pick tire opposite the support surface;   an inclined separation surface proximate the support surface and configured to engage in edge of a sheet driven by the pick tire;   a driven roller configured to drive the sheet after the sheet has engaged the separation surface; and   a retard roller rotationally supported opposite the driven roller, the retard roller being resiliently biased against rotation.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the driven roller end of the retard roller form a downwardly facing nip. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a removable housing door carrying the retard roller. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a brake coupled to the retard roller to adjust drag of the retard roller. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retard roller comprises:
 a tire;   a shaft extending through the tire and fixed against rotation;   an inner member rotationally supported within the tire;   a first spring having a first end coupled to the tire and a second and coupled to the inner member; and   a second spring extending about the shaft and having an end coupled to the member, wherein the tire and the inner member are configured to cooperatively engage one another such that rotation of the tire relative to the member is less than 360 degrees.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one of the tire and the inner member includes spaced steps and wherein the other of the tire and the inner member includes a key between the spaced steps. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second spring is configured to frictionally retain the inner member against rotation until the key is in an engagement with one of the spaced steps. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first spring is configured to wind up as the second spring unwinds. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a printing device configured to print upon sheets picked by the pick tire. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the media support surface is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a media support surface configured to support a stack of sheets;   a pick tire opposite the support surface;   a driven roller configured to drive the sheet a from the pick tire;   a retard roller rotationly supported opposite the driven roller, the retard roller being resiliently biased against rotation; and   a removable door carrying the retard roller.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising in inclined separation surface between the pick tire and the driven roller. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the retard roller comprises:
 a tire;   a shaft extending through the tire and fixed against rotation;   an inner member rotationally supported within the tire;   a first spring having a first end coupled to the tire and a second end coupled to the inner member; and   a second spring extending about the shaft and having an end coupled to the member, wherein the tire and the inner member are configured to cooperatively engage one another such that rotation of the tire relative to the member is less than 360 degrees.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein one of the tire and the inner member includes spaced steps and wherein the other of the tire and the inner member includes a key between the spaced steps 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second spring is configured to frictionally retain the inner member against rotation until the key is in an engagement with one of the spaced steps 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first spring is configured to wind up as the second spring unwinds 
   
   
       17 . A method comprising:
 torsionally loading a first spring coupled to a retard roller to a predetermined torque with a driven roller opposite the retard roller;   torsionally loading a second spring to reduce friction between the retard roller and a support shaft when a first sheet is in contact with the driven roller and the retard roller; and   torsionally unloading the first spring when a second sheet is in contact with the retard roller while the first sheet is in contact with the driven roller to drive the second sheet away from the driven roller.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising picking the first sheet from a stack and moving the first sheet against a vertical separation surface prior to the first sheet engaging the driven roller. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising accessing the driven roller by opening a door carrying the retard roller. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the retard roller comprises:
 a tire;   a shaft extending through the tire and fixed against rotation;   an inner member rotationally supported within the tire;   a first spring having a first end coupled to the tire and a second and coupled to the inner member; and   a second spring extending about the shaft and having an end coupled to the member, wherein the tire and the inner member are configured to cooperatively engage one another such that rotation of the tire relative to the member is less than 360 degrees.