US3698707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet stacker and control stack removing means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-30
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A sheet conveyor is provided for depositing sheets onto a stack with the conveyor discharging end being moved progressively upward as the stack height increases with a stop plate being positioned forward of the discharge end of the conveyor and mounted on adjustable horizontally movable arms for adjustment to the size of the sheet being stacked with the sheets being deposited on a reversible power driven conveyor and safety contact switch means being provided on the sheet conveyor and with control switch means on the discharge side of the stop plate for enabling a close spacing of successively formed sheet stacks.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond L R Lucas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/50; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/17; B65H2701/176; B65H2701/1762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a sheet stacker of the type having a pivotally mounted sheet conveyor belt with a discharge head for discharging sheets onto a stack receiving and removing conveyor and means for moving the conveyor discharge head in an arcuate path from a lowermost position to an uppermost position as the height of the stack being formed increases, the improvement comprising a vertical stop plate, two horizontal parallel arm members joined on each end to form a unitary construction mounted for axial movement in slide means attached to the discharge head, adjustable means for axially adjusting the position of said horizontal arms with respect to said discharge head for supporting said stop plate in adjustable positions in spaced horizontal relationship to the discharge head, said arm means extending adjacent the vertical longitudinal plane of the sheet conveyor in a horizontal plane and guide means comprising a series of rollers mounted adjacent the ends of said arms opposite said discharge conveyor supporting said stop plate by means of a U-shaped channel member connected to the stop plate and extending between the series of rollers for permitting limited movement of said stop plate relative to said horizontal arm means perpendicular to said horizontal arm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a sheet stacker of the type having a pivotally mounted sheet conveyor belt with a discharge head for discharging sheets onto a stack receiving and removing conveyor and means for moving the conveyor discharge head in an arcuate path from a lowermost position to an uppermost position as the height of the stack being formed increases, the improvement comprising a vertical stop plate, two horizontal parallel arm members joined on each end to form a unitary construction mounted for axial movement in slide means attached to the discharge head, adjustable means for axially adjusting the position of said horizontal arms with respect to said discharge head for supporting said stop plate in adjustable positions in spaced horizontal relationship to the discharge head, said arm means extending adjacent the vertical longitudinal plane of the sheet conveyor in a horizontal plane and guide means comprising a series of rollers mounted adjacent the ends of said arms opposite said discharge conveyor supporting said stop plate by means of a U-shaped channel member connected to the stop plate and extending between the series of rollers for permitting limited movement of said stop plate relative to said horizontal arm means perpendicular to said horizontal arm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The invention of claim 1 additionally including safety switch means upon which means supporting said stop plate rests when said stop plate is in its lowermost position whereby vertical movement of said stop plate with respect to said switch means as would occur upon the engagement of the lower edge of said stop plate with an obstacle during lowering movement of the discharge head of said conveyor serves to deactivate said safety switch to stop the lowering movement of said discharge head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 2 additionally including a stack side detecting switch means mounted on said stop plate for detecting a stack moved against the side of said abutment plate opposite said discharge head and a second switch mounted on means fixed to said horizontal arms for actuation upon bodily movement of said stop plate towards said discharge head for activating said conveyor pivoting motor to initiate a subsequent stacking cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a sheet stacker of the type having a pivotally mounted sheet conveyor belt with a discharge head for discharging sheets onto a stack receiving and removing conveyor driven by selectively operable reversible drive means, and means for moving the conveyor discharge head in an arcuate path from a lowermost position to an uppermost position as the height of the stack being formed increases, the improvement comprising two horizontal, parallel arm members connected to the discharge head of the conveyor, extending outwardly over said stack receiving and removing conveyor, guide means mounted on the outer ends of said arm members, said guide means supporting a stop plate normally maintained in a lower position on said guide means by gravity, but movable to an upper position with respect to said guide means and arm members, switch means positioned adjacent said stop plate actuated by movement of said stop plate to said upper position for terminating downward movement of said discharge head upon engagement of said stop means with any fixed object or with said stack receiving and removing conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a sheet stacker of the type having a pivotally mounted sheet conveyor belt with a discharge head for discharging sheets onto a stack receiving and removing conveyor driven by selectively operable reversible drive means, and means for moving the conveyor discharge head in an arcuate path from a lowermost position to an uppermost position as the height of the stack being formed increases, the improvement comprising two horizontal, parallel arm members connected to the discharge head of the conveyor, extending outwardly over said stack receiving and removing conveyor, guide means mounted on the outer ends of said arm members, said guide means supporting a stop plate normally maintained in a lower position on said guide means by gravity, but movable to an upper position with respect to said guide means and arm members, switch means positioned adjacent said stop plate actuated by movement of said stop plate to said upper position for terminating downward movement of said discharge head upon engagement of said stop means with any fixed object or with said stack receiving and removing conveyor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said arm means is supported on said discharge head for limited axial movement between a forward extended position and a retracted position in which said stop plate is positioned closely adjacent said discharge head, biassing means for urging said stop plate and said arm means toward said extended position and switch means engageable with means connected to said arm means for actuation upon movement of said arm means and stop plate to said retracted position caused by engagement of a completed stack with the outer surface of said stop plate when said stack receiving and removing conveyor moves a stack against said outer surface of said stop plate for initiating a new stacking cycle in which a second stack will be provided adjacent said first stack but spaced therefrom by the width of said stop plate.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of stacking sheets with a stacker of the type having a pivotally mounted sheet conveyor belt with a discharge head for discharging sheets at a stacking station against a stop plate mounted on the discharge head onto a stack receiving and removing conveyor driven by reversible drive means, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first stack as said discharge head moves upwardly while continuously feeding sheets forming said stack; discontinuing the feed of sheets from said discharge head when said first stack reaches a desired height while said discharge head continues to move upwardly; discontinuing upward movement of the discharge head when the lowermost portion of the stop plate rises above the top of the first stack; actuating said stack receiving conveyor in a forward direction to remove the first stack from the stacking station; lowering the discharge head to position the stop plate adjacent the stack receiving conveyor; operating said stack receiving conveyor in a reverse direction to return the first stack to a position adjacent the stacking station engaging the downstream side of the stop plate and initiating the formation of a second stack in the same manner as the first stack whereby the first and second stacks will be closely spaced a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the stop plate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of stacking sheets with a stacker of the type having a pivotally mounted sheet conveyor belt with a discharge head for discharging sheets at a stacking station against a stop plate mounted on the discharge head onto a stack receiving and removing conveyor driven by reversible drive means, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first stack as said discharge head moves upwardly while continuously feeding sheets forming said stack; discontinuing the feed of sheets from said discharge head when said first stack reaches a desired height while said discharge head continues to move upwardly; discontinuing upward movement of the discharge head when the lowermost portion of the stop plate rises above the top of the first stack; actuating said stack receiving conveyor in a forward direction to remove the first stack from the stacking station; lowering the discharge head to position the stop plate adjacent the stack receiving conveyor; operating said stack receiving conveyor in a reverse direction to return the first stack to a position adjacent the stacking station engaging the downstream side of the stop plate and initiating the formation of a second stack in the same manner as the first stack whereby the first and second stacks will be closely spaced a distance only slightly greater than the thickness of the stop plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |