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:
Sep. 21, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 10, 2003
Jochen Loose, Irving, TX (US);
Armin Zimmermann, Constance, DE;
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, München, DE;
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus for dividing a stack of items. The items may comprise mail pieces. The apparatus comprises at least one supporting finger which extends through an opening within a base. The base supports the items which stand thereon and further lean against a supporting wall. Where more than one supporting finger is present, the finger may further comprise a hollow opening and/or groove which accommodates the other supporting fingers therein. Accordingly, as all of the supporting fingers pass through the opening, the size of the opening is reduced. In addition, the supporting fingers may be specially sized so as to accommodate different sized items. The supporting fingers are arced so that when they are extended through the opening, they arc towards the base. The height achieved by a supporting finger is related to the height of the item being engaged by the finger. A drive mechanism drives the finger(s) through the opening, the drive mechanism may include a rotary arm(s) associated with each finger and a further drive and/or control element to effect pivoting of the arms thereby urging the fingers through the opening.