US3744790A — Sorter for use in conjunction with photocopy mach…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 187 words

A sorter for use in conjunction with a photocopier operating in a multiple copy mode, said sorter comprising, in combination: A. a vacuum conveyor for conveying successive copy sheets exiting the photocopier along a path having a generally horizontal path segment extending beneath the photocopier; B. a transition conveyor positioned at the output of the photocopier to transfer copy sheets normally issuing therefrom to said vacuum conveyor; C. a tray mounted to said transition conveyor in spaced relation thereabove; D. means mounting said transition conveyor to permit selective positioning of the upstream end of said conveyor and said tray relative to the output of the photocopier, whereby copy sheets are accumulated on said tray or transferred by said transition conveyor to said vacuum conveyor; E. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path segment; F. a separate deflector assembly situated between each said bin and said horizontal path segment; and G. control means coordinated with the copy cycling rate of the photocopier for sequentially actuating said deflector assemblies to route successive copy sheets conveyed along said horizontal path segment downwardly into successive ones of said bins.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 187 words

A sorter for use in conjunction with a photocopier operating in a multiple copy mode, said sorter comprising, in combination: A. a vacuum conveyor for conveying successive copy sheets exiting the photocopier along a path having a generally horizontal path segment extending beneath the photocopier; B. a transition conveyor positioned at the output of the photocopier to transfer copy sheets normally issuing therefrom to said vacuum conveyor; C. a tray mounted to said transition conveyor in spaced relation thereabove; D. means mounting said transition conveyor to permit selective positioning of the upstream end of said conveyor and said tray relative to the output of the photocopier, whereby copy sheets are accumulated on said tray or transferred by said transition conveyor to said vacuum conveyor; E. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path segment; F. a separate deflector assembly situated between each said bin and said horizontal path segment; and G. control means coordinated with the copy cycling rate of the photocopier for sequentially actuating said deflector assemblies to route successive copy sheets conveyed along said horizontal path segment downwardly into successive ones of said bins.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 162 words

A sorter for use in conjunction with a photocopier operating in a multicopy mode, said sorter comprising, in combination: A. sheet conveying means for conveying successive copy sheets along a path having a generally horizontal path segment extending beneath the photocopier; B. transition conveying means positioned at the copy sheet output of the photocopier; C. means rendering said transition conveying means selectively operative to convey copy sheets exiting the sheet output of the photocopier to said conveying means, D. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path segment; E. a separate deflector assembly situated between each said bin and said horizontal path segment; F. control means coordinated with the copy cycling rate of the photocopier for sequentially actuating said deflector assemblies to route successive copy sheets conveyed along said horizontal path segment downwardly into successive ones of said bins; and G. a stand mounting the above recited sorter components and having means for supporting the photocopier above said horizontal path segment.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 162 words

A sorter for use in conjunction with a photocopier operating in a multicopy mode, said sorter comprising, in combination: A. sheet conveying means for conveying successive copy sheets along a path having a generally horizontal path segment extending beneath the photocopier; B. transition conveying means positioned at the copy sheet output of the photocopier; C. means rendering said transition conveying means selectively operative to convey copy sheets exiting the sheet output of the photocopier to said conveying means, D. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path segment; E. a separate deflector assembly situated between each said bin and said horizontal path segment; F. control means coordinated with the copy cycling rate of the photocopier for sequentially actuating said deflector assemblies to route successive copy sheets conveyed along said horizontal path segment downwardly into successive ones of said bins; and G. a stand mounting the above recited sorter components and having means for supporting the photocopier above said horizontal path segment.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

a solenoid associated with each said deflector and individually electrically connected to the various switch positions for energization when said stepping switch is indexed thereto pursuant to actuating the associated one of said deflectors.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

a solenoid associated with each said deflector and individually electrically connected to the various switch positions for energization when said stepping switch is indexed thereto pursuant to actuating the associated one of said deflectors.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

means responsive to a series of sensor responses for initiating actuation of said deflectors in sequence to route successive sheets from said path into different ones of said bins,

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

means responsive to a series of sensor responses for initiating actuation of said deflectors in sequence to route successive sheets from said path into different ones of said bins,

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

separate means rotating said shaft pursuant to positioning said deflector assembly to operative and inoperative positions,

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

separate means rotating said shaft pursuant to positioning said deflector assembly to operative and inoperative positions,

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

said holdback members being disposed in non-controlling relation to the sheets stacked in said bins while said deflectors are in their actuated positions,

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

said holdback members being disposed in non-controlling relation to the sheets stacked in said bins while said deflectors are in their actuated positions,

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

a solenoid associated with each said deflector and individually electrically connected to the various switch positions for energization when said stepping switch is indexed thereto pursuant to initiating the actuation of the associated one of said deflectors to its actuated position.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 41 words

a solenoid associated with each said deflector and individually electrically connected to the various switch positions for energization when said stepping switch is indexed thereto pursuant to initiating the actuation of the associated one of said deflectors to its actuated position.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 19 words

means indexed by each response of said sensor to energize said solenoids of said deflector means in predetermined sequence.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

means indexed by each response of said sensor to energize said solenoids of said deflector means in predetermined sequence.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 23 words

a pivotly mounted arm having detent means formed therein for engaging said latch to maintain said deflector means oriented in its operative position,

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

a pivotly mounted arm having detent means formed therein for engaging said latch to maintain said deflector means oriented in its operative position,

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

separate means rotating said shaft pursuant to positioning said deflector means individually to operative and inoperative positions, and

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

separate means rotating said shaft pursuant to positioning said deflector means individually to operative and inoperative positions, and

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

means operating in response to the actuations of said switch to energize said solenoids in predetermined sequence.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

means operating in response to the actuations of said switch to energize said solenoids in predetermined sequence.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

a pivotally mounted arm having detent means formed therein for engaging said latch to maintain said deflector assembly oriented in its operative position,

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

a pivotally mounted arm having detent means formed therein for engaging said latch to maintain said deflector assembly oriented in its operative position,

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

a solenoid linked to said arm and operative when energized to pivot said arm and release said latch, and

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 19 words

a solenoid linked to said arm and operative when energized to pivot said arm and release said latch, and

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 94 words

a plurality of stripper elements mounted by said shaft and distributed transversely of said vacuum conveyor, said stripper elements adapted, when said deflector means is in its operative position, to extend above the plane of said horizontal path in intercepting relation with a sheet moving therealong, whereby to strip an intercepted sheet downwardly away from said horizontal path for routing into the one of said bins situated there beneath, said stripper elements being disposed in non-intercepting relation to sheets moving along said horizontal path when said deflector means is in its inoperative position, and

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 94 words

a plurality of stripper elements mounted by said shaft and distributed transversely of said vacuum conveyor, said stripper elements adapted, when said deflector means is in its operative position, to extend above the plane of said horizontal path in intercepting relation with a sheet moving therealong, whereby to strip an intercepted sheet downwardly away from said horizontal path for routing into the one of said bins situated there beneath, said stripper elements being disposed in non-intercepting relation to sheets moving along said horizontal path when said deflector means is in its inoperative position, and

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

a solenoid linked to said arm and operative when energized to pivot said arm and release said latch, and

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

a solenoid linked to said arm and operative when energized to pivot said arm and release said latch, and

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 45 words

said control means further including means for reciprocating said bins as a unit in coordination with the resetting of said deflectors to their reset positions, whereby said holdback members regain control of the sheets in said bins, including those sorted during the preceding sorting run,

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 45 words

said control means further including means for reciprocating said bins as a unit in coordination with the resetting of said deflectors to their reset positions, whereby said holdback members regain control of the sheets in said bins, including those sorted during the preceding sorting run,

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 88 words

a plurality of stripper fingers mounted by said shaft and distributed transversely of said vacuum conveyor, said stripper fingers adapted, when said deflector assembly is in its operative position, to extend above the plane of said horizontal path segment in intercepting relation with a copy sheet moving there-along, whereby to strip an intercepted copy sheet downwardly away from said horizontal path segment, said stripper fingers being disposed in non-intercepting relation to copy sheets moving along said horizontal path segment when said deflector assembly is in its inoperative position,

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 88 words

a plurality of stripper fingers mounted by said shaft and distributed transversely of said vacuum conveyor, said stripper fingers adapted, when said deflector assembly is in its operative position, to extend above the plane of said horizontal path segment in intercepting relation with a copy sheet moving there-along, whereby to strip an intercepted copy sheet downwardly away from said horizontal path segment, said stripper fingers being disposed in non-intercepting relation to copy sheets moving along said horizontal path segment when said deflector assembly is in its inoperative position,

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 46 words

timing means for timing the intervals between sensor responses and operating to signal the conclusion of a sorting run upon the expiration of a period of time since the last sensor response in excess of the time interval between sheets issuing at the predetermined rate, and

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 46 words

timing means for timing the intervals between sensor responses and operating to signal the conclusion of a sorting run upon the expiration of a period of time since the last sensor response in excess of the time interval between sheets issuing at the predetermined rate, and

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 74 words

A sorter for use in conjunction with a photocopier operating in a multicopy mode; said sorter comprising, in combination: A. a vacuum conveyor for conveying successive copy sheets exiting the photocopier along a path having a generally horizontal path segment extending beneath the photocopier; B. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path segment; C. a separate deflector assembly situated between each said bin and said horizontal path segment, each said assembly including

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 74 words

A sorter for use in conjunction with a photocopier operating in a multicopy mode; said sorter comprising, in combination: A. a vacuum conveyor for conveying successive copy sheets exiting the photocopier along a path having a generally horizontal path segment extending beneath the photocopier; B. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path segment; C. a separate deflector assembly situated between each said bin and said horizontal path segment, each said assembly including

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 26 words

means responsive to the signaling of the conclusion of a sorting run by said timing means for resetting said deflectors preparatory for the next sorting run.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 26 words

means responsive to the signaling of the conclusion of a sorting run by said timing means for resetting said deflectors preparatory for the next sorting run.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 38 words

guide means mounted by said shaft in depending relation to said stripper fingers for routing a copy sheet stripped from said horizontal path segment into the open upper end of the one of said bins situated therebeneath, and

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 38 words

guide means mounted by said shaft in depending relation to said stripper fingers for routing a copy sheet stripped from said horizontal path segment into the open upper end of the one of said bins situated therebeneath, and

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 57 words

said timing means further operating incident to the signalling of the conclusion of a sorting run to index said stepping switch to its next switch position, such as to energize the one of said solenoids associated with the last deflector responsible for routing the last sheet of the sorting run into the associated one of said bins,

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 57 words

said timing means further operating incident to the signalling of the conclusion of a sorting run to index said stepping switch to its next switch position, such as to energize the one of said solenoids associated with the last deflector responsible for routing the last sheet of the sorting run into the associated one of said bins,

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 77 words

a depending holdback member mounted by said shaft and situated, while said deflector means is in its operative position, to control the upper, trailing edges of sheets stacked on edge in said one bin so as not to interfere with a sheet deposited therein during the next run; and D. control means coordinated with the rate at which sheets issue from the equipment during a sorting run for sequentially actuating said deflector means to their operative positions.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 77 words

a depending holdback member mounted by said shaft and situated, while said deflector means is in its operative position, to control the upper, trailing edges of sheets stacked on edge in said one bin so as not to interfere with a sheet deposited therein during the next run; and D. control means coordinated with the rate at which sheets issue from the equipment during a sorting run for sequentially actuating said deflector means to their operative positions.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 23 words

a spring connected to rotate said shaft, upon release of said arm, such as to orient said deflector means to its inoperative position.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 23 words

a spring connected to rotate said shaft, upon release of said arm, such as to orient said deflector means to its inoperative position.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 23 words

a spring connected to rotate said shaft upon release of said latch such as to orient said deflector assembly to its inoperative position.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 23 words

a spring connected to rotate said shaft upon release of said latch such as to orient said deflector assembly to its inoperative position.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 13 words

The sorter defined in claim 3, wherein said means rotating said shaft includes:

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 77 words

a depending holdback member mounted by said shaft in spaced relation to said guide means and situated, while said deflector assembly is in its operative position, to control the upper, trailing edges of copy sheets stacked on edge in said one bin and maintain them in non-interferring relation to copy sheets subsequently routed therein; and D. control means coordinated with the copy cycling rate of the photocopier for sequentially actuating said deflector assemblies to their operative positions.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 77 words

a depending holdback member mounted by said shaft in spaced relation to said guide means and situated, while said deflector assembly is in its operative position, to control the upper, trailing edges of copy sheets stacked on edge in said one bin and maintain them in non-interferring relation to copy sheets subsequently routed therein; and D. control means coordinated with the copy cycling rate of the photocopier for sequentially actuating said deflector assemblies to their operative positions.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 11 words

The sorter defined in claim 4 wherein said control means includes:

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 47 words

whereby said last deflector also moves to its actuated position enabling the holdback member associated therewith to regain control of the sheets stacked in the associated bin as the actuated ones of said deflectors are returned to their reset positions in conjunction with reciprocation of said bins.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 47 words

whereby said last deflector also moves to its actuated position enabling the holdback member associated therewith to regain control of the sheets stacked in the associated bin as the actuated ones of said deflectors are returned to their reset positions in conjunction with reciprocation of said bins.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 50 words

The sorter defined in claim 5, wherein said control means further includes first reset means operating at the conclusion of a multicopy run to concurrently re-engage said latches with the associated one of said detent means formed in said arms, whereby to reset said deflector assemblies to their operative positions.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 78 words

The sorter defined in claim 6, wherein said holdback members are disposed in non-controlling relation to the copy sheets stacked in said bins while said deflector assemblies are in their inoperative positions, and said control means further includes second reset means operating to longitudinally reciprocate said bins as said deflector assemblies are reset to their operative positions, whereby said holdback members regain control of the copy sheets in said bins, including those sorted during the preceding multicopy run.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 46 words

The sorter defined in claim 7, which further includes means mounting said bins as a unit for longitudinal reciprocating movement by said second reset means and for manual movement laterally out from under said deflector assemblies to facilitate unloading of sorted copy sheets from said bins.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 81 words

The sorter defined in claim 7, wherein said control means further includes control logic circuitry for coordinating the operations of said first and second reset means such that said bins are first moved by said second reset means from a normal position to a reset position relative to said deflector assemblies, said deflector assemblies are then reset to their operative positions by said first reset means, and said bins are thereafter returned to their normal posItion by said second reset means.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 62 words

The sorter defined in claim 9, wherein said control means includes timing means for timing the intervals between actuations of said switch and for initiating operation of said first and second reset means upon expiration of a period of time since the last switch actuation which exceeds the normal time interval between successive sheets issuing from the photocopier during a multicopy run.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 76 words

Apparatus for sorting into a plurality of collations paper sheets issuing serially from sheet processing equipment; said apparatus comprising: A. a vacuum conveyor for conveying along a generally horizontal path paper sheets issuing successively from the processing equipment; B. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path beneath said conveyor, each said bin accumulating one sheet collation; C. separate deflector means situated between each said bin and said horizontal path, each said deflector means including

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 76 words

Apparatus for sorting into a plurality of collations paper sheets issuing serially from sheet processing equipment; said apparatus comprising: A. a vacuum conveyor for conveying along a generally horizontal path paper sheets issuing successively from the processing equipment; B. a series of bins distributed along said horizontal path beneath said conveyor, each said bin accumulating one sheet collation; C. separate deflector means situated between each said bin and said horizontal path, each said deflector means including

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 13 words

The sorter defined in claim 11, wherein said means rotating said shaft includes:

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 11 words

The sorter defined in claim 12, wherein said control means includes:

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 50 words

The sorter defined in claim 12, wherein said control means further includes first reset means operating at the conclusion of a sorting run to concurrently re-engage said latches with said detent means formed in the associated ones of said arms, whereby to return said deflector means to their operative positions.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 47 words

The sorter defined in claim 14, wherein said first reset means includes an elongated reciprocating reset bar carrying separate means for engaging said latches and motive means for reciprocating said reset bar to return said latches into engaging relation with said detent means carried by said arms.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 79 words

The sorter defined in claim 14, wherein said holdback members are disposed in non-controlling relation to the sheets stacked in said bins while said deflector means are In their inoperative positions, and said control means further includes second reset means operating to longitudinally reciprocate said bins as a unit as said deflector means are returned to their operative positions, whereby said holdback members regain control of the sheets in said bins, including those sorted during the preceding sorting run.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 87 words

The sorter defined in claim 16, wherein said control means further includes sequence control circuitry for coordinating the operations of said first and second reset means, such that said bins are first moved relative to said deflector means by said second reset means from a normal position to a reset position, said deflector means are then returned to their operative positions by said first reset means, and said bins are thereafter returned to their normal position by said second reset means preparatory for the next sorting run.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 49 words

The sorter defined in claim 17, wherein said sequence control circuitry includes limit switches for sensing the movement of said bins and the movement of a reset bar carrying separate means for engaging said latches to return them into engaging relation with said detent means carried by said arms.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 63 words

The sorter defined in claim 17, wherein said control means further includes timing means for timing the intervals between sensor responses, and for initiating the operations of said first and second reset means upon expiration of a period of time since the last sensor response which exceeds the normal time interval between successive sheets issuing from the processing equipment during a sorting run.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 79 words

Apparatus for sorting into a plurality of collations paper sheets issuing serially at a predetermined rate from sheet handling equipment during each sorting run; said apparatus comprising, in combination: A. a conveyor for conveying the sheets issuing from the equipment in series along a predetermined path; B. a series of bins distributed along said path, each accumulating a collation of sheets; C. a separate deflector situated generally between each said bin and said path; and D. control means including

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 79 words

Apparatus for sorting into a plurality of collations paper sheets issuing serially at a predetermined rate from sheet handling equipment during each sorting run; said apparatus comprising, in combination: A. a conveyor for conveying the sheets issuing from the equipment in series along a predetermined path; B. a series of bins distributed along said path, each accumulating a collation of sheets; C. a separate deflector situated generally between each said bin and said path; and D. control means including

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 26 words

The sorter defined in claim 20, wherein said sensor is in the form of a switch adapted to be actuated by the passage of each sheet.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 12 words

The sorter defined in claim 20, wherein said sensor responsive means includes:

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 76 words

The sorter defined in claim 20, wherein said deflectors are normally in a reset position to intercept a sheet moving along said path and route it into an associated one of said bins, said sensor responsive means operable to actuate said deflectors in sequence to actuated positions in non-sheet intercepting relation to said path, such that a sheet is passed on to the next one of the series of deflectors which is in its reset position.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 12 words

The sorter defined in claim 23, wherein said sensor responsive means includes:

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 93 words

The sorter defined in claim 24, wherein the first of said switch positions to which said stepping switch is indexed by the first one of said sensor responses occurring during a sorting run is open, whereby none of said solenoids is energized and the first sheet of a sorting run is routed into the first of said series of said bins by the associated one of said deflectors, the next switch position in sequence being connected to energize the solenoid associated with said first bin pursuant to actuating it to its actuated position.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 32 words

The sorter defined in claim 25, wherein said predetermined path is horizontal and said deflectors route the sheets downwardly into substantially vertically oriented bins where they are stacked on their leading edges,

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-07-09	1977-01-08	1977-07-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-07-09	1981-01-08	1981-07-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-07-09	1985-01-08	1985-07-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Sorter for use in conjunction with photocopy machines

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