Harris Corporation

Stobb Inc.

James R Schlough

James R Moser

David C Lukas

Method and apparatus for controlling sheets in a hopper, whereby the stack of sheets is partially supported at various elevations along the stack so that only a portion of the weight of the stack bears downwardly on the sheet removal devices. The stack support members are movable into and out of supporting position relative to the stack, by virtue of a solenoid or the like, for passing a discrete lower portion of the stack down to the take-off device, and a feeler is provided for sensing the need for passing more sheets downwardly, in accordance with the rate of removing the sheets from the bottom of the stack.

Method and apparatus for controlling sheets in a hopper

A method and apparatus for opening folded sheets which are moved from a stack and by a gripper member to a location between two belts. The belts direct the folded sheets to a guide which causes the sheet to become unfolded and the guide then directs the sheet onto a gatherer or collector chain. A sheet opener can also be used for directing one flap of the folded sheet to the far side of the chain which is running at an acute angle with respect to the direction of movement of the unfolded sheet as it approaches the chain.

Method and apparatus for opening folded sheets

A signature conveyor for use with an inserter or collator station and a stitcher station includes a saddle conveyor for moving signatures with a folded edge up along a path through a number of such stations. The saddle conveyor includes a chain to which steeples are connected to support the signatures and move them along the path. A rail guides the chain and the steeples to control their orientation along the conveyor path. Through a first portion of the conveyor path where the conveyor passes an inserter or collator station the steeples are centered directly beneath the folded edge or backbone of the signatures with the two leaves of the signature extending over the two sides of the steeples. During a second portion of the path the steeples are tilted and move out of the area directly beneath the backbone of the signatures. As the steeples move from directly beneath the backbone of a signature, a guide member simultaneously becomes located between the faces of the signature to support one of the faces of the signature. This causes the faces to be separated further. At some stations devices move up between the downwardly opening centerfold of the signature toward the backbone. These stations perform one of a number of operations on the backbone of the signatures including stitching and removing signatures from the saddle conveyor.

Signature conveyor for use with inserter and stitcher

A collating machine is disclosed in which a reciprocating frame carries a conventional stitcher head and clincher assembly to bind groups of signatures on the fly. A stitcher assembly includes cams and linkages to drive the stitcher head and clincher as the frame reciprocates. Two suspension units guide the reciprocating frame along a substantially linear path. Each suspension unit includes two suspension links and a coupling link. The upper ends of the suspension links are pivotally mounted to the base of the stitcher assembly, and the axes of rotation lie in a horizontal plane. The lower end portions of the suspension links in each suspension unit are pivotally connected with opposite ends of the base of the coupling link. This arrangement enables the coupling link to rock about a central position in which the base of the coupling link includes a pedestal which extends upward from the base of the coupling link and to which the reciprocating frame is connected. The top of the pedestal travels along a substantially straight line path as the coupling link rocks about its central position.

Growing community of inventors

Easton, PA, United States of America

James R Schlough