Automatic feeding device for copying machines

Abstract

A registration device for use in an automatic feeding device for copying machines in which a magnetic registration member is provided adjacent the forward edge of a platen and an electromagnet is disposed parallel to the registration member in a cover. When no current is applied to the electromagnet, the registration member is in an upper position acting as a stop for original documents to be copied. When the electromagnet is activated, the registration member is urged downwardly against the force of a spring by opposing magnetic field to a position below the surface of the platen so that original documents can be extracted therefrom. If desired, the edge of the platen and the registration member can be made sloped.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A registration device for an automatic feeding device for original documents comprising: an elongated registration member disposed adjacent one edge of a platen member for supporting an original document in a copying position, a leading edge of said original document abutting an upper portion of said registration member in said copying position, said registration member comprising a permanent magnet extending substantially the length thereof; guide means disposed along at least one edge of said registration member wherein said registration member is movable between an upper position with said upper portion extending above the upper edge of said platen and a lower position below said upper surface of said platen; spring means for biasing said registration member toward said upper position; cover means disposed above said platen and registration member; and electromagnet means, said electromagnet means extending substantially the length of said registration member, said electromagnet means producing a magnetic field in response to an exciting signal applied thereto for urging said registration member to move to a position below said upper surface of said platen. 
     
     
       2. The registration device of claim 1 wherein said end of said platen is slanted and wherein said registration member and said guide means are slanted to conform with the slant of said edge of said platen. 
     
     
       3. The registration device of claim 1 wherein said exciting signal is indicative of the delivery of an original document. 
     
     
       4. The registration device of claim 1 wherein the magnetic field produced by said electromagnet means is uniform in the longitudinal direction of said electromagnet means. .Iadd. 
     
     
       5.  A registration device for an automatic feeding device for original documents comprising: a registration member disposed adjacent one edge of a platen member for registering an original document in a copying position with an edge of an original document abutting an upper portion of said registration member, wherein said registration member is movable between an upper position with said upper portion extending above the upper surface of said platen and a lower position not extending above said upper surface of said platen; biasing means for biasing said registration member toward said upper position; cover means disposable above said platen and said registration member; and magnetic means in said cover means for urging said registration member into said lower position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. The registration device of claim 5 wherein said magnetic means is an electromagnet producing a repulsive force on said registration member in response to an exciting signal applied thereto for overcoming said biasing means and moving said registration member below said upper surface of said platen. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The registration device of claim 5 wherein said cover means disposed within automatic original document feeding apparatus and the lowering of said registration member by said magnetic means is coordinated with delivery of an original document. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The registration device of claim 6 wherein said cover means disposed within automatic original document feeding apparatus and the lowering of said registration member by said magnetic means is coordinated with delivery of an original document. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The registration device of claim 5 further comprising guide means disposed along at least one edge of said registration member and containing movement of said registration member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The registration device of claim 9 wherein one edge of said platen is slanted and said registration means and said guide means are also slanted to conform with the slant of the edge of said platen. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The registration device of claim 9 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A registration device for an automatic feeding device for original documents comprising: a registration member disposed adjacent one edge of a platen member for registering an original document in a copying position with an edge of an original document abutting an upper portion of said registration member, wherein said registration member is movable between an upper position with said upper portion extending above the upper surface of said platen and a lower position not extending above said upper surface of said platen; biasing means for biasing said registration member toward said upper position; cover means disposable above said platen and said registration member; and means carried by said cover means for urging said registration member into said lower position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A registration device for an automatic feeding device for original documents comprising: a registration member disposed adjacent one edge of a platen member for registering an original document in a copying position with an edge of an original document abutting an upper portion of said registration member, wherein said registration member is movable between an upper position with said upper portion extending above the upper surface of said platen and a lower position not extending above said upper surface of said platen; biasing means for biasing said registration member toward said upper position; cover means disposable above said platen and said registration member; and means in said cover means not contacting said registration member for urging said registration member into said lower position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A registration device for an automatic feeding device for original documents comprising: a registration member disposed adjacent one edge of a platen member for registering an original document in a copying position with an edge of an original document abutting an upper portion of said registration member, wherein said registration member is movable between an upper position with said upper portion extending above the upper surface of said platen and a lower position not extending above said upper surface of said platen; biasing means for biasing said registration member toward said upper position; cover means disposable above said platen and said registration member; and electronic means in said cover means actuated by an external force for urging said registration member into said lower position. .Iaddend.