| 摘要 |
A sheet-receiving surface comprises retractable bars movable between a first position and a second position. The first position is a first distance away from a mounting support. The second position is a second distance away from the mounting support. The first distance is greater than the second distance. Pivot arms, having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, are rotationally attached at the first end to the retractable bars and rotationally attached at the second end to the mounting support. Bias elements, operatively connected to the pivot arms, bias the retractable bars to the first position. A link is operatively connected to the retractable bars and an actuator. The sheet-receiving surface accumulates sheets of media into sets of sheets. Responsive to operation of the actuator, the link applies a force to move the retractable bars to the second position, forming an opening to allow the sets of sheets to drop, forming a stack of sets of sheets. |
| 主权项 |
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a sheet-receiving surface receiving sheets of media, said sheet-receiving surface comprising retractable bars movable between a first position and a second position,
said first position being a first distance away from a mounting support,said second position being a second distance away from said mounting support, andsaid first distance being greater than said second distance,said retractable bars comprising a first pair of retractable bars and a second pair of retractable bars, each pair of retractable bars comprising an inboard member and an outboard member, said inboard member being nearer said mounting support than said outboard member; a first set of pivot arms, each arm of said first set of pivot arms having a first end, and having a second end opposite said first end, each arm of said first set of pivot arms being rotationally attached at said first end to said inboard member of each of said pair of retractable bars and rotationally attached at said second end to said mounting support; a second set of pivot arms, each arm of said second set of pivot arms having a first end, and having a second end opposite said first end, each arm of said second set of pivot arms being rotationally attached at said first end to said outboard member of each of said pair of retractable bars and rotationally attached at said second end to said inboard member of each of said pair of retractable bars; bias elements operatively connected to each arm of said pivot arms at said second end, said bias elements biasing said retractable bars to said first position; a link operatively connected to said retractable bars; and an actuator operatively connected to said link,
in said first position, said sheet-receiving surface being positioned in a first plane to receive said sheets of media from a sheet transport assembly,said sheet-receiving surface accumulating said sheets of media into sets of sheets,responsive to operation of said actuator, said link applying a force to said retractable bars, moving said retractable bars to said second position, andin said second position, said retractable bars forming an opening to allow said sets of sheets to drop into a second plane, forming a stack of sets of sheets, said first plane being other than coplanar with said second plane and said first plane being relatively above said second plane. |
