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Abstract

A paper feeding apparatus for a printer. There are at least two mounting members, each of which is adapted to contain sheets of paper. A paper feeding assembly is associated with each of the mounting members and contacts the paper in the mounting member for feeding single sheets of paper. A paper feed gear is operatively coupled to each of the paper feeding assemblies for co-rotation therewith. A sun gear is present proximate each of the paper feeding gears and each is rotatable about a center point. A transmission mechanism transmits rotational power in first and second directions from a paper feed motor in the printer to each of the sun gears. The first and second directions are opposite to one another. A selector member is associated with each of the paper feed assemblies and has a planet gear on a first arm and a protrusion on a second arm. The selector member is rotatable about the center point of the corresponding sun gear. The planet gear engages with the corresponding sun gear. A selective camming assembly is associated with each of the paper feeding assemblies for controlling the rotation of the corresponding selector member by interaction with the protrusion on the corresponding selector member. This causes the selective engagement of the corresponding planet gear and paper feed gear so that rotational power from the paper feed motor is transmitted to the paper feeding assembly when the paper feed motor rotates in the proper combination of the first and second directions. As a result, a single sheet of paper is fed to the printer from a selected mounting member which is determined by the sequence of rotations of the paper feed motor in the first and second directions.

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First Claim