US3652079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Movable infeed conveyor for sheet collator device
Assignee: Norfin International Inc
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Filing: 1969-08-01
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1989-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An infeed conveyor attached to the infeed end of a sheet collator device and interconnecting the outfeed station of a copy machine with the infeed station of the collator is made so that it can be moved from an operative position to an inoperative position for access to the copy machine without moving either the copy machine or the sheet collator device. The infeed conveyor is powered by the drive train of the sheet collator device and is either pivotally attached to the frame of the collator device or adapted to ride in vertical slots in the frame of the collator device from which position it can be raised and slid over the top of the sheet collator device.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L Snellman
- 👤 Ronald W Greene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/22; B65H5/222; B65H5/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A collating system including a shEet collator device for receiving and distributing sheets at preselected positions, and an infeed conveyor for the collator device interconnecting the outfeed station of a copy machine with the infeed end of the sheet collator device, the collator and the conveyor being driven by a common power source, the infeed conveyor adapted to be moved from an operative position to an inoperative position for access to the copy machine without changing the relative position of the copy machine and sheet collator device and without interrupting the power delivery to either the copy machine or the collator device, comprising: a sheet collator device having a collator distributor for receiving and distributing sheets at preselected vertical positions for reception by a vertical column of bins by powered sheet conveying means conveying sheets in a substantially vertical course for deflection to the vertical column of spaced bins by deflection means traveling up and down the length of the bins, a powered infeed conveyor having a conveyor frame attached to the infeed end of the sheet collator device for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position, a powered conveyor tape supported by the conveyor frame and having substantially horizontal run when the frame is positioned in operative position for conveying sheets from the outfeed end of the copy machine to the infeed end of the collator device, the conveyor tape terminating adjacent the vertically moving sheet conveying means of the collator device, driving means operatively connected to the collator device and tape of the infeed conveyor for commonly driving the same; and power means powering the driving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A collating system including a shEet collator device for receiving and distributing sheets at preselected positions, and an infeed conveyor for the collator device interconnecting the outfeed station of a copy machine with the infeed end of the sheet collator device, the collator and the conveyor being driven by a common power source, the infeed conveyor adapted to be moved from an operative position to an inoperative position for access to the copy machine without changing the relative position of the copy machine and sheet collator device and without interrupting the power delivery to either the copy machine or the collator device, comprising: a sheet collator device having a collator distributor for receiving and distributing sheets at preselected vertical positions for reception by a vertical column of bins by powered sheet conveying means conveying sheets in a substantially vertical course for deflection to the vertical column of spaced bins by deflection means traveling up and down the length of the bins, a powered infeed conveyor having a conveyor frame attached to the infeed end of the sheet collator device for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position, a powered conveyor tape supported by the conveyor frame and having substantially horizontal run when the frame is positioned in operative position for conveying sheets from the outfeed end of the copy machine to the infeed end of the collator device, the conveyor tape terminating adjacent the vertically moving sheet conveying means of the collator device, driving means operatively connected to the collator device and tape of the infeed conveyor for commonly driving the same; and power means powering the driving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 including means for applying vacuum pressure to the surface of the endless distributor conveyor tape to aid in retaining moving sheets there against for movement thereby, and stationary members mounted on the conveyor frame above and opposite the endless distributor conveyor tape to assist in maintaining the moving sheets against the conveyor tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the driving means includes a powered rotatable member of the sheet collator device operatively connected to the power means, a circular driving gear attached for rotation to the powered rotatable member, a circular driven gear operatively connected to the endless distributor conveyor tape of the infeed conveyor, and a transfer gear journaled for rotation to the infeed conveyor frame and in mesh with the driving and driven gears when the infeed conveyor is in operative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the transfer gear disengages from the driving gear on movement of the conveyor frame from an operative position to an inoperative position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the infeed conveyor frame is secured about a pivot point to the infeed end of the sheet collator device, the transfer gear is axially journaled to the frame of the conveyor at the pivot point and the driven gear is in constant mesh with the transfer gear in operative or inoperative position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |