US Patent:
20010043370, Nov 22, 2001
Inventors:
Alan Rapkin - Pittsford NY, US
Richard Luther - Hamlin NY, US
Morris Karski - Victor NY, US
Anton Suk - Rochester NY, US
International Classification:
H04N001/40
Abstract:
This is a passively energized floating guide for a parked head scanner having a scanning glass slit. This floating guide applies pressure to the original papers crossing the scanning glass slit in order to wipe the scanning glass slit, and keep it free from contamination. The floating guide comprises a wiper bar which is pivotally mounted above the scanning glass slit such that it extends from end to end of the scanning glass slit, and it rests on the scanning glass slit when at rest. The weight and pivot point for the wiper bar are chosen such that the force of the original paper rotates the wiper bar and causes the wiper bar to press down on the original as it passes between the wiper bar and the scanning glass slit with sufficient force to clean the glass, but not enough force to jam the paper. This is the case even for lightweight papers. After the paper has passed, the wiper bar pivots back to its initial position.