US3669442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collator
Assignee: General Binding Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A collator wherein an inertial roller projects successive sheets toward a gate, and the roller support intercepts sheets that may bounce back; idlers adjustable with respect to feed rollers; a paper deflector imparting a concave aspect to sheets moving onto a stacking table; and idlers larger than driven rollers in juxtaposition peripherally with adjacent idlers.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbur E Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/70; B65H39/00; B65H39/02; B65H39/04; B65H39/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A collator comprising a. means for holding a plurality of sheets, b. means for ejecting a sheet from the means for holding, c. a plurality of driven rollers above each means for holding, d. a plurality of successive idlers in contact with the top of the driven rollers, e. the point of contact of the idlers and the driven rollers defining a tangential generally horizontal plane, f. the idlers having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the driven rollers, g. the idlers having a diameter to place them peripherally in juxtaposition to the next successive idler, h. a stacking table adjacent to the last of the driven rollers, i. a paper deflector above and converging on the stacking table, j. a pair of driven conveyor belts traversing the stacking table, k. rollers on the paper deflector engaged with the conveyor belts, l. a retractable gate near the outer end of the stacking table normally positioned to intercept sheets on the stacking table, m. a mounting for a speed roller at the inner end of the stacking table, in spaced relation to the retractable gate, positioned to intercept any sheet bouncing back from the gate, n. a speed roller mounted for free rotation on the mounting, positioned to be engaged and rotated by sheets moving onto the stacking table toward the gate, o. The paper deflector comprising a pair of arms spaced apart sufficiently to engage longitudinal edge portions of sheets moving onto the stacking table and to deflect the sheets over the speed roller, p. means to lower, and raise thE gate to release a collated set of sheets to leave the stacking table on the conveyor belts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
A collator comprising a. means for holding a plurality of sheets, b. means for ejecting a sheet from the means for holding, c. a plurality of driven rollers above each means for holding, d. a plurality of successive idlers in contact with the top of the driven rollers, e. the point of contact of the idlers and the driven rollers defining a tangential generally horizontal plane, f. the idlers having a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the driven rollers, g. the idlers having a diameter to place them peripherally in juxtaposition to the next successive idler, h. a stacking table adjacent to the last of the driven rollers, i. a paper deflector above and converging on the stacking table, j. a pair of driven conveyor belts traversing the stacking table, k. rollers on the paper deflector engaged with the conveyor belts, l. a retractable gate near the outer end of the stacking table normally positioned to intercept sheets on the stacking table, m. a mounting for a speed roller at the inner end of the stacking table, in spaced relation to the retractable gate, positioned to intercept any sheet bouncing back from the gate, n. a speed roller mounted for free rotation on the mounting, positioned to be engaged and rotated by sheets moving onto the stacking table toward the gate, o. The paper deflector comprising a pair of arms spaced apart sufficiently to engage longitudinal edge portions of sheets moving onto the stacking table and to deflect the sheets over the speed roller, p. means to lower, and raise thE gate to release a collated set of sheets to leave the stacking table on the conveyor belts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 1 in which the means for holding a plurality of sheets comprises a. a plurality of trays directed generally upwardly toward the top of the driven rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 1 in which the means for ejecting a sheet from the tray comprises a. an ejection foot, b. a means to reciprocate the ejection foot over the surface of the top sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1 and a. means to shift the idlers to vary their positions with respect to their points of contact with the driven rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device according to claim 1 in which the means to shift the idlers is a. a housing b. a pair of longitudinal bars c. means to attach the bars to the housing in a plurality of positions d. slots in the bars e. axles on which the idlers are mounted f. the axles positioned in the slots and in peripheral engagement with the driven rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A collator comprising a. a plurality of means for holding sheets, b. means for simultaneously ejecting a sheet from each sheet holding means, c. a driven feed roller above each tray defining a sheet conveyor, d. an idler above and in gravitational contact with the top of each feed roller, e. slotted bars on opposite sides of the idlers, f. a shaft for each idler received at opposite ends in the slots of the bars, g. means to hold the bars at any one of a plurality of positions thereby to alter the vertical allignment of the axles of the idlers with respect to the axles of the feed rollers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A collator comprising a. a plurality of means for holding sheets, b. means for simultaneously ejecting a sheet from each sheet holding means, c. a driven feed roller above each tray defining a sheet conveyor, d. an idler above and in gravitational contact with the top of each feed roller, e. slotted bars on opposite sides of the idlers, f. a shaft for each idler received at opposite ends in the slots of the bars, g. means to hold the bars at any one of a plurality of positions thereby to alter the vertical allignment of the axles of the idlers with respect to the axles of the feed rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A collator in accordance with claims 6 in which the feed rollers are provided with latitudinally serated surfaces, and the idler rollers are provided with a high friction periphery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A collator in accordance with claim 7 in which the idlers each have a diameter greater than the driven roller, and are in peripheral juxtaposition with each adjacent successive idler.
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) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |