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US3735978A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for stacking copy sheets

Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1970-09-09
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1990-09-09
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Abstract

Abstract A system for producing finished sets of collated copies from precollated documents fed and copied in repeated cycles including a side stacking assembly for grouping sheets into separately identifiable stacks by the action of pivotable paddle wheels. A control logic enables side stacking the sheets into separately identifiable bundles.

Inventors

  • 👤 L H Turner
  • 👤 R A Manzek

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 06:35
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42C; B42C1/00; B42C1/12; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/02; B65H39/04; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/10; B65H2404/11; B65H2404/111; B65H2404/1114

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 121 words
Sheet stacking apparatus comprising tray means for receiving sheet material transported along a sheet path and adapted for lowering as sheet material is received thereon, a frame pivotally mounted in overlying relation to said tray means, shaft means journaled in said frame for rotation relative thereto, paddle means including a plurality of flexible blade members mounted on each end of said shaft means, control means to cause said frame to pivot to position a one of said paddle means and then the other into contact with a corresponding side of the sheet material being received in said tray means at predetermined intervals so that a sideways force may be imparted to the sheet material at right angles to the sheet path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 121 words
Sheet stacking apparatus comprising tray means for receiving sheet material transported along a sheet path and adapted for lowering as sheet material is received thereon, a frame pivotally mounted in overlying relation to said tray means, shaft means journaled in said frame for rotation relative thereto, paddle means including a plurality of flexible blade members mounted on each end of said shaft means, control means to cause said frame to pivot to position a one of said paddle means and then the other into contact with a corresponding side of the sheet material being received in said tray means at predetermined intervals so that a sideways force may be imparted to the sheet material at right angles to the sheet path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tray means includes a sensing circuit for maintaining a constant level of sheet material being received thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said shaft means is continuously driven by a motor positioned at one end thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control means includes a solenoid which receives discrete electrical signals and a solenoid actuated member connected to said shaft means at one end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 150 words
In a copier machine for producing collated sets of copies from documents advanced from a supply source to a platen and then returned to the supply source in repeated cycles, sheet stacking apparatus comprising tray means receiving sheet material transported along a sheet path and adapted for lowering as sheet material is accumulated thereon, a frame pivotally mounted in overlying relation to said tray means, shaft means journaled in said frame, paddle means having a plurality of flexible blade members mounted on each end of said shaft means for rotation therewith, and control means to cause said frame to pivot to position a one of said paddle means and then the other onto contact with a corresponding side of the sheet material being received in said tray means at predetermined intervals so that a sideways force may be imparted to the sheet material at right angles to the sheet path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 150 words
In a copier machine for producing collated sets of copies from documents advanced from a supply source to a platen and then returned to the supply source in repeated cycles, sheet stacking apparatus comprising tray means receiving sheet material transported along a sheet path and adapted for lowering as sheet material is accumulated thereon, a frame pivotally mounted in overlying relation to said tray means, shaft means journaled in said frame, paddle means having a plurality of flexible blade members mounted on each end of said shaft means for rotation therewith, and control means to cause said frame to pivot to position a one of said paddle means and then the other onto contact with a corresponding side of the sheet material being received in said tray means at predetermined intervals so that a sideways force may be imparted to the sheet material at right angles to the sheet path.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of stacking sheets into separated bundles comprising the steps of collecting sheet material transported along a path in a receiving tray, contacting the sheet material surface with rotating members positioned at the sides of the sheet path by pivoting the members to a first position to contact the sheet material surface first on one side anD then to a second position to contact the sheet material surface on the other side at predetermined intervals so that a sideways force is imparted to the sheet material, and continually lowering the receiving tray to effect a constant level with the sheet path.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of stacking sheets into separated bundles comprising the steps of collecting sheet material transported along a path in a receiving tray, contacting the sheet material surface with rotating members positioned at the sides of the sheet path by pivoting the members to a first position to contact the sheet material surface first on one side anD then to a second position to contact the sheet material surface on the other side at predetermined intervals so that a sideways force is imparted to the sheet material, and continually lowering the receiving tray to effect a constant level with the sheet path.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2742286A Cited
US2925271A Cited
US3166313A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-05-28 1976-11-27 1977-05-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-05-28 1980-11-27 1981-05-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-05-28 1984-11-27 1985-05-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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