Media transport

Abstract

A media transport element comprises: a fixed roller, a first coupling connected an end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom, a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis; and a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller define a media passage therebetween. The media transport element also comprises: a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.

1 . A media transport element comprising:
 a fixed roller comprising: (i) a shaft, (ii) a plurality of discs axially spaced along the shaft, (iii) a drive engaging end for receiving rotational motion, and (iv) a driving end for imparting rotational motion;   a first coupling connected to the driving end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom,   a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis;   a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller and comprising: (i) a shaft, (ii) a plurality of discs axially spaced along the shaft to co-operate with the axially spaced discs on the fixed roller to define a media passage therebetween, and (iii) a drive engaging end for continuously engaging with the second coupling as the pivoting roller pivots, so that the pivoting roller receives rotational motion from the second coupling;   a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis;   wherein the fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.   
     
     
         2 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed roller drive engaging end comprises a gear mounted on the fixed roller shaft and driven by an elastomeric belt. 
     
     
         3 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed roller comprises a drive engaging end at each end of the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed roller discs contact media items in the media passage directly. 
     
     
         5 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling comprises a gear intermeshing with the fixed roller driving end gear. 
     
     
         6 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling comprises a gear intermeshing with the first coupling gear. 
     
     
         7 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling comprises a gear near each end of the fixed roller shaft, and the second coupling comprises a gear near each end of the fixed roller shaft for intermeshing with its respective first coupling gear. 
     
     
         8 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling is mounted on the link shaft. 
     
     
         9 . A media transport element according to  claim 1 , wherein the media transport element further comprises a resilient member coupled between the link and a fixed member, so that the resilient member urges the link to a closed position in which the pivoting roller discs are in contact with the fixed roller discs when no media items are present in the media passage. 
     
     
         10 . A media transport device comprising a plurality of media transport elements of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A media transport device according to  claim 10 , wherein the media transport device includes a transport housing comprising: a base and a removable lid coupled thereto. 
     
     
         12 . A media transport device according to  claim 10 , wherein the pivoting roller of each media transport element is mounted in the transport housing lid, and the fixed roller, the first coupling, and the second coupling are mounted in the transport housing base. 
     
     
         13 . A media handling device comprising a media transport device according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         14 . A media handling device according to  claim 13 , wherein the media handling device further comprises: a pick unit and a presenter. 
     
     
         15 . A method of transporting media, the method comprising:
 rotating a fixed roller in contact with a media item;   rotating a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller and defining a media passage therebetween, using a pair of gears coupling the fixed and pivoting rollers; and   maintaining the pivoting roller in continuous engagement with the fixed roller via the pair of gears by allowing the pivoting roller to pivot about an axis co-axial with an axis of one of the pair of gears coupling the fixed and pivoting rollers, thereby enabling the media item to be driven by both the fixed roller and the pivoting roller.