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:
Jan. 05, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 20, 1996
Neal J Middelberg, Apex, NC (US);
Gregory T Lucas, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Daniel C Park, West Linn, OR (US);
Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a novel extension apparatus and method for providing a selectively adjustable conveying path for sheet articles between sheet processing apparatuses. The extension apparatus includes a base bracket with a pair of rotatably movable spring-loaded bracket arms attached to a shaft extending therethrough. A pair of bracket arm rollers are attached to each of the bracket arms. An extension plate is positioned above and slidably movable on the base bracket, and a pair of rotatable extension rollers are rotatably attached to a shaft extending through the extension plate such that slidable movement of the extension plate simultaneously and identically moves the extension rollers. A pair of rear rollers are utilized and are operatively aligned with an extension roller and a pair of the bracket arm rollers. A pair of belts extend at least partially around and operatively engage one of the rear rollers, one of the extension rollers, and a pair of the bracket arm rollers of one of the bracket arms. The belts have an upper reach section and a lower reach section between the rear rollers and the extension rollers, and the upper reach section of the belts form a conveying path for advancement of sheet articles while the bracket arm rollers engage each belt in the lower reach section.