Mccain Manufacturing, Inc.

Raymond I Bulka

David J Nowaczyk

George D Higgins

Kelvin K Mak

Russell S Ketcham

A saddle binding system is provided with a reject device which removes misformed books from the gathering chain and transports them to a tray for recycling. The reject device includes an arm pivotally mounted adjacent the chain on a frame. The arm is normally located in a rest position out of engagement with passing books. An actuator is connected to the arm and is operable to pivot the arm to a raised, book-engaging position. In the raised position the arm elevates the leading edge portion of a misformed book off of the gathering chain, thereby rotating the book. This rotation advances the trailing edge of the book out of engagement with the pusher pin of the gathering chain. A tape-and-roller take-away mechanism is positioned above the chain to engage an elevated edge portion of a book. The take-away mechanism is angled such that it moves the book longitudinally and vertically of the gathering chain, as well as laterally. The book is discharged to a reject tray.

Reject device for a signature gathering machine

Harmonic vibrations in a signature machine due to the inertial influence of a reciprocating mass comprising grippers and associated parts are reduced by using a planetary gear drive and a weight secured thereto; momentum of the gripper mass is countered by another rotating weight. The planetary gear drive may be either epicyclic or hypocyclic, depending principally upon the length of the reciprocal stroke.

Signature machine with counterpulse weight shuttle bar drive

A book stacker for thick or thin books in which an input conveyor for feeding the books in a stream to a transfer conveyor is adjustable for the thick-thin situation, and the transfer conveyor likewise; in which a partial stack of books is dropped to a collecting conveyor which gathers a full stack, the collecting conveyor being suspended resiliently; and in which the stack being gathered is stabilized.

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Oak Lawn, IL, United States of America

Raymond I Bulka