Sheet transferring device and method

Claim 2

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to reurn to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements of said movable gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said gripping means being operative under the influence of pressure, the timing of the movements and clamping of said gripping means being responsive to the degree of pressure maintained in said pressure operated gripping means, said drive means comprises a chain drive arranged approximately the longitudinal length of said sheet moving surface, first motorclutch means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate one end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain and movable gripping means in one direction, and a second motor-clutch means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate the other end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain drive and gripping means in the opposite direction.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein said movable gripping means and chain drive are adjustable providing for adjustment in the limits of longitudinal movement of said movable gripping means with respect to said sheet moving surface.

Claim 4

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first, after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to return it to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements to said movable gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said gripping means being operative under the influence of pressure, the timing of the movements and clamping of said gripping means being responsive to the degree of pressure maintained in said pressure operated gripping means, said movable gripping means comprises a pair of gripping members each capable of simultaneous longitudinal movements upon the energization of their respective drive means, said pair of griPping means capable of being laterally adjusted to their setting with respect to each other thereby providing for their being set in proximity with the lateral edges of the sheet material being moved by said movable gripping means, and said second gripping means comprising a pair of stationary gripping members disposed proximate the forward longitudinal end of said device, and capable of being set proximate the lateral edges of said sheet material to grip and hold the same upon return of said pair of movable gripping members to their initial positions.

Claim 5

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first, after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to return it to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements to said movable gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said gripping means being operative under the influence of pressure, the timing of the movements and clamping of said gripping means being responsive to the degree of pressure maintained in said pressure operated gripping means, said movable gripping means comprises a pair of gripping members each capable of simultaneous longitudinal movements upon the energization of their respective drive means, said pair of griPping means capable of being laterally adjusted to their setting with respect to each other thereby providing for their being set in proximity with the lateral edges of the sheet material being moved by said movable gripping means, and said second gripping means comprising a pair of stationary gripping members disposed proximate the forward longitudinal end of said device, and capable of being set proximate the lateral edges of said sheet material to grip and hold the same upon return of said pair of movable gripping members to their initial positions.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 3 wherein said series of rollers forming the sheet moving surface includes at least one roller bracket disposed for arrangement along the longitudinal length of said device, said roller bracket including a series of longitudinally aligned rollers each arranged at equivalent heights so as to form an approximately planar surface to facilitate movement of the sheet material thereupon.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 4 wherein said roller brackets are capable of being removed from said device.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 3 wherein said drive means effects alternate movements of said movable gripping means up to the length of said sheet moving surface.

Claim 9

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate the movement of continuous sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively disposed with respect to said surface and arranged just adjacent said continuous sheet for clamping under the influence of fluid pressure its side and advancing it longitudinally of said surface, a second gripping means stationarily disposed with respect to said surface and provided for gripping under the influence of fluid pressure and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, drive means operatively associated with said movable gripping means for advancing and returning the same with respect to said surface, said drive means capable of longitudinal movement substantially equal to the length of said surface, said gripping means being rendered operative under the influence of said pressurized fluid, and the timing of the movements and clamping of said gripping means being responsive to the degree of fluid pressure maintained in said gripping means.

Claim 10

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate the movement of continuous sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively disposed with respect to said surface and arranged just adjacent said continuous sheet for clamping under the influence of fluid pressure its side and advancing it longitudinally of said surface, a second gripping means stationarily disposed with respect to said surface and provided for gripping under the influence of fluid pressure and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, drive means operatively associated with said movable gripping means for advancing and returning the same with respect to said surface, said drive means capable of longitudinal movement substantially equal to the length of said surface, said gripping means being rendered operative under the influence of said pressurized fluid, and the timing of the movements and clamping of said gripping means being responsive to the degree of fluid pressure maintained in said gripping means.

Claim 11

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first, after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to return to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements of said gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said drive means comprising a chain drive arranged approximately the longitudinal length of said sheet moving surface, first motor-clutch means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate one end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain and movable gripping means in one direction, a second motor-clutch means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate the other end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain drive and gripping means in the opposite direction, said movable gripping means and chain drive are adjustable providing for adjustment in the limits of longitudinal movement of said movable gripping means with respect to said sheet moving surface, said first and second motor-clutch means being alternately electrically energized to provide for the alternate induced movements of said chain drive and movable gripping means, switch means its arranged in line with the longitudinal movements of said movable gripping means and disposed for being engaged by said gripping means as it achieves the limits of its longitudinal movements, and a speed reducing means provided on said movable gripping means to reduce its speed of movement as it approaches the limits of the alternate longitudinal movements.

Claim 12

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first, after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to return to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements of said gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said drive means comprising a chain drive arranged approximately the longitudinal length of said sheet moving surface, first motor-clutch means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate one end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain and movable gripping means in one direction, a second motor-clutch means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate the other end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain drive and gripping means in the opposite direction, said movable gripping means and chain drive are adjustable providing for adjustment in the limits of longitudinal movement of said movable gripping means with respect to said sheet moving surface, said first and second motor-clutch means being alternately electrically energized to provide for the alternate induced movements of said chain drive and movable gripping means, switch means its arranged in line with the longitudinal movements of said movable gripping means and disposed for being engaged by said gripping means as it achieves the limits of its longitudinal movements, and a speed reducing means provided on said movable gripping means to reduce its speed of movement as it approaches the limits of the alternate longitudinal movements.

Claim 13

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first, after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to return to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements of said movable gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said drive means comprising a chain drive arranged approximately the longitudinal length of said sheet moving surface, a first motor means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate one end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain and movable gripping means in one direction, a second motor means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate the other end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain drive and gripping means in the opposite direction, said movable gripping means and chain drive are adjustable providing for adjustment in the limits of longitudinal movement of said movable gripping means with respect to said sheet moving surface, said first and second motor means being alternately energized to provide for the alternate induced movement of said chain drive and movable gripping means, switch means arranged in line with the longitudinal movements of said movable gripping means and disposed for being engaged by said gripping means as it achieves the limits of its longitudinal movements, and a speed reducing means provided on said movable gripping means to reduce its speed of movement as it approaches the limits of its alternate longitudinal movements.

Claim 14

In a high speed mechanized sheet transferring device, a sheet moving surface formed by a series of rollers to facilitate movement of sheet material thereupon, movable gripping means operatively associated with said sheet moving surface and disposed for movement longitudinally of said surface, first, after gripping the lateral edge of the adjacent sheet to advance it forwardly of the device, and secondly, to return to its initial position after releasing said sheet, drive means included in said device to effect alternate movements of said movable gripping means, a second gripping means stationarily disposed proximate said surface and provided for gripping and retaining said sheet during the return of said movable gripping means to its initial position, said drive means comprising a chain drive arranged approximately the longitudinal length of said sheet moving surface, a first motor means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate one end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain and movable gripping means in one direction, a second motor means including a sprocket engaging said chain drive proximate the other end of said surface and upon actuation moving said chain drive and gripping means in the opposite direction, said movable gripping means and chain drive are adjustable providing for adjustment in the limits of longitudinal movement of said movable gripping means with respect to said sheet moving surface, said first and second motor means being alternately energized to provide for the alternate induced movement of said chain drive and movable gripping means, switch means arranged in line with the longitudinal movements of said movable gripping means and disposed for being engaged by said gripping means as it achieves the limits of its longitudinal movements, and a speed reducing means provided on said movable gripping means to reduce its speed of movement as it approaches the limits of its alternate longitudinal movements.