MODULES WITH LINKING DRIVE SHAFTS

摘要

Modules, such a paper tray 21, are stacked under a printer (3). Power to drive the paper feed originates from the printer. A housing (9, 27) carries a shaft (17, 35) which is keyed to turn with the housing. The shafts have abutment surfaces (47a) which mesh with abutment surfaces on the housing (29a, 29b). A thrust bearing (51) supporting the housing has a configured bottom to permit limited adjustment by rotation of the housing around the gear (35) at the opposite end of the housing. The top of the modules under the printer extend past their general frame and have a conical guide surface (23) to direct an entering shaft. The bottom of the modules has an opening (19e) to receive the extended part from a module on which it is stacked.