Random access sorter

Abstract

A sorter in which the various paper trays of the sorter may be randomly accessed is disclosed. The sorter includes a plurality of paper-receiving trays which are stationarily arranged in vertically spaced-apart relationship to one another at the downstream end of the sorter, and an upstream paper transporting and guiding device for receiving paper sheets from an upstream machine and delivering the same to selected ones of the paper trays. The deflecting device is pivotable at its upstream end and has its downstream end arcuately movable between the various vertical positions of the paper trays. A suitable indexing mechanism is provided for indexing the paper transporting and guiding device to selected ones of the paper trays. In one embodiment the indexing mechanism comprises a DC motor geared to a sector gear carried by the paper transporting and paper guiding device, and in another embodiment the indexing mechanism comprises a Geneva Drive mechanism, including a pin wheel and a star gear wheel, coupled between the drive motor and the sector gear carried by the paper transporting and guiding device. Driven rollers positioned at the downstream end of the paper transporting and guiding device assist in transferring the paper sheets from the device to the paper receiving trays.