US3788640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moving bin sorting apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-29
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-12-29
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a sorting apparatus for receiving sheets from a copying machine. A plurality of tray members receive the sheets as the tray members move past a sheet discharge zone. The drive rotates cam members to move the tray members vertically as sheets are moved along the sheet path towards the tray members. The cam members are formed with variable pitch camming surfaces such that the tray members are in close proximity to each other except when positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge zone, whereupon the camming surfaces affect a spreading movement of the trays upon passing the sheet discharge zone.
Inventors
- 👤 D Stemmle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/02; B65H29/10; B65H29/58; B65H29/60; B65H39/00; B65H39/10; B65H39/11; B65H2403/00; B65H2403/50; B65H2403/51; B65H2403/511; B65H2408/00; B65H2408/10; B65H2408/11; B65H2408/113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Sorting apparatus comprising: a frame, a plurality of vertically extending cam members supported by said frame, a vertically extending array of closely spaced tray members supported by said cam members, drive means for rotating said cam members to move said tray members vertically, transport means for moving sheets towards a sheet discharge zone adjacent to the path of the moving tray members, said cam members being formed with a low pitch spiral camming surface and a high pitch spiral camming surface, said high pitch spiral camming surface being positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge zone to effect a spreading movement between tray members upon passing said discharge zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Sorting apparatus comprising: a frame, a plurality of vertically extending cam members supported by said frame, a vertically extending array of closely spaced tray members supported by said cam members, drive means for rotating said cam members to move said tray members vertically, transport means for moving sheets towards a sheet discharge zone adjacent to the path of the moving tray members, said cam members being formed with a low pitch spiral camming surface and a high pitch spiral camming surface, said high pitch spiral camming surface being positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge zone to effect a spreading movement between tray members upon passing said discharge zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said cam members has camming means thereon to actuate switching means coupled to said drive means to de-energize said drive means to effect stopping movement of said tray members for a time sufficient to receive a sheet into a one of said tray members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including a sensing means positioned along said transport means coupled to said drive means to energzie said drive means to advance the tray members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means is reversible and switching means operative to reverse direction of said drive means at predetermined intervals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cam members are formed with a medium pitch camming surface positioned intermedaite said low pitch camming surface to effect separated groupings of trays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a reproduction system in which copy sheets are reproduced from documents and distributed for sorting into trays, an improved tray sorting apparatus for sorting copy sheets into collated sets, comprising a frame, a plurality of vertically extending cam members supported by said frame, a vertically extending array of closely spaced tray members supported by said cam members, drive means for rotating said cam members to move said tray members vertically, transport means for moving sheets towards a sheet discharge zone adjacent to the path of the moving tray members, said cam members being formed with a low pitch spiral camming surface and a high pitch spiral camming surface, said high pitch spiral camming surface being positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge zone to effect a spreading movement between tray members upon passing said discharge zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a reproduction system in which copy sheets are reproduced from documents and distributed for sorting into trays, an improved tray sorting apparatus for sorting copy sheets into collated sets, comprising a frame, a plurality of vertically extending cam members supported by said frame, a vertically extending array of closely spaced tray members supported by said cam members, drive means for rotating said cam members to move said tray members vertically, transport means for moving sheets towards a sheet discharge zone adjacent to the path of the moving tray members, said cam members being formed with a low pitch spiral camming surface and a high pitch spiral camming surface, said high pitch spiral camming surface being positioned adjacent to the sheet discharge zone to effect a spreading movement between tray members upon passing said discharge zone.
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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |