Automatic retard adjustment mechanism for sheet feeding

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract of the Disclosure, A sheet feeding apparatus includes a retard mechanism to prevent the inadvertent feeding of doubled or overlapped sheets. The retard mechanism includes a plurality of belts in an assembly positioned adjacent to a sheet feeding roller and, rotating in such a direction as to retard the sheets being fed. The retard assembly is mounted on the free end of a lever arm pivotally secured adjacent to its other end to the base of the sheet feeding apparatus. The lever arm with the retard assembly mounted thereon is spring-urged toward the feed roller but may be, moved slightly away from said roller to accommodate the thickness of the sheet being fed between the feed roller …