The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 19, 1988
Filed:
May. 29, 1987
Thomas A Rowe, North Ridgeville, OH (US);
Stephen M Ent, New Britain, CT (US);
AM International Incorporated, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a collator having a variable raceway jam fault detection arrangement. A plurality of hoppers are arranged in an array, each adapted to feed signatures onto a raceway having a moving chain. The chain has spaced apart chain pins, the distance therebetween defining signature feed locations. A plurality of jam detector switches are located along the raceway and are adapted to detect a signature jam, e.g., a signature overlying a chain pin. A controller monitors each of the jam switches. The operator enters into the controller a desired rejection pattern for each of the jam switches separately. When a jam switch is tripped, the controller (i) identifies which jam switch was tripped, (ii) recalls the reject pattern for that jam switch, (iii) marks and tracks the assemblages in the recalled reject pattern as they proceed down the raceway, and (iv) enables a reject gate to reject the assemblages commensurate with the reject pattern recalled as the marked assemblages reach the reject gate. The hoppers downstream of the location of the tripped jam switch are disabled from feeding signatures to assemblages marked for rejection.