US3827688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet delivery mechanism
Assignee: MILLER PRINTING EQUIPMENT Corp A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1973-02-23
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1993-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A frame member having longitudinal side members and transverse connecting members is movably supported on the side frame members of the press so that the frame member can be moved longitudinally relative to the transfer cylinder positioned therebelow. A drive shaft is rotatably journaled in the frame side members and has a plurality of drive sprockets mounted thereon in spaced relation to each other. Idler sprockets are supported from the rear transverse frame member and endless chains are reeved about the sprockets. Endless gripper guides are positioned adjacent the respective chains and have an inner rail and an outer rail with a guide track therebetween. The gripper guide has an intermediate portion at substantially the same elevation as the lower horizontal portion of the endless chains and a downwardly, depending, arcuate front portion that extends below the path of the endless chain. The gripper device that includes a pair of plates positioned on opposite sides of the gripper device has a pair of roller members positioned in the gripper track and secure the plates to each other. One of the plates has a depending arm member with a sheet gripper connected to the lower end portion of the arm. The gripper is arranged to engage the front edge of the sheet. The gripper device is connected to the adjacent chain by means of rods so that the chains propel the gripper device in the gripper track. As the gripper device is moved into the downwardly, depending, arcuate portion of the gripper track the forward velocity of the gripper device is reduced below the forward velocity of the chain connected thereto. Further, the depending arm on the plate member pivots rearwardly as it traverses the downwardly, depending, arcuate portion of the gripper track to further reduce the forward velocity of the gripper device while the chain is driven at a relatively constant velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 D Luffy
- 👤 R Mosemiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:24
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/02; B65H29/04; B65H29/041; B65H29/68; B65H29/683
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
In a sheet delivery mechanism the combination comprising, a frame member, frame support means, said frame member positioned on and supported by said frame support means in overlying relation with a pile of sheets, a plurality of endless chains positioned in parallel spaced relation to each other, said endless chains reeved about drive sprockets and idler sprockets rotatably mounted on said frame member, means to drive said endless chains at a preselected substantially constant velocity, endless guide means positioned adjacent to said endless chains, said endless guide means having an intermediate lower portion at substantially the same elevation as the lower horizontal portion of said endless chains, said guide means having a front arcuate, downwardly depending portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the front edge of the pile, gripper means movably positioned in said guide means, means to actuate said gripper means to engage the front edge of a sheet, other means to actuate said gripper means while said gripper means is traversing said front arcuate, depending portion of said guide means to release the front edge of a sheet, articulated means connecting said gripper means to said endless chains so that said endless chains propel said gripper means in said endless guide means, said gripper means arranged to engage the front edge of a sheet and convey the sheet at a velocity substantially the same as the preselected velocity of said endless chains to a position adjacent the front arcuate portion of said guide means, said front portion of said guide means operable while the gripper means is traversing said front arcuate downwardly depending portion of said guide means to articulate said gripper means relative to said endless chains and displace said gripper means downwardly to reduce the forward velocity of said gripper means below said preselected velocity of said endless chains while said endless chains are driven at said preselected velocity, means to move said frame member longitudinally on said frame support means so that said gripper means engages and transports sheets of different length, and means to move said other means to actuate said gripper means to thereby release the front edge of sheets of different sizes while said gripper means is traversing said front arcuate, downwardly depending portion of said guide means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
In a sheet delivery mechanism the combination comprising, a frame member, frame support means, said frame member positioned on and supported by said frame support means in overlying relation with a pile of sheets, a plurality of endless chains positioned in parallel spaced relation to each other, said endless chains reeved about drive sprockets and idler sprockets rotatably mounted on said frame member, means to drive said endless chains at a preselected substantially constant velocity, endless guide means positioned adjacent to said endless chains, said endless guide means having an intermediate lower portion at substantially the same elevation as the lower horizontal portion of said endless chains, said guide means having a front arcuate, downwardly depending portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the front edge of the pile, gripper means movably positioned in said guide means, means to actuate said gripper means to engage the front edge of a sheet, other means to actuate said gripper means while said gripper means is traversing said front arcuate, depending portion of said guide means to release the front edge of a sheet, articulated means connecting said gripper means to said endless chains so that said endless chains propel said gripper means in said endless guide means, said gripper means arranged to engage the front edge of a sheet and convey the sheet at a velocity substantially the same as the preselected velocity of said endless chains to a position adjacent the front arcuate portion of said guide means, said front portion of said guide means operable while the gripper means is traversing said front arcuate downwardly depending portion of said guide means to articulate said gripper means relative to said endless chains and displace said gripper means downwardly to reduce the forward velocity of said gripper means below said preselected velocity of said endless chains while said endless chains are driven at said preselected velocity, means to move said frame member longitudinally on said frame support means so that said gripper means engages and transports sheets of different length, and means to move said other means to actuate said gripper means to thereby release the front edge of sheets of different sizes while said gripper means is traversing said front arcuate, downwardly depending portion of said guide means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sheet delivery mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in which said guide means includes, an outer endless rail and an inner endless rail, said inner endless rail positioned in spaced relation to said outer endless rail and forming a guide track therebetween, said gripper means positioned in said guide track between said outer endless rail and said inner endless rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A sheet delivery mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in which said gripper means includes, a first plate member positioned on one side of said guide means, a second plate member positioned on the opposite side of said guide means, connecting means extending through said guide means and connecting said plates to each other, one of said plates having a downwardly extending arm member, a gripper device connected to said downwardly extending arm member, said downwardly depending arm member arranged to be displaced downwardly as said gripper means traverses said front arcuate, downwardly depending portion of said guide means to further reduce the forward velocity of said gripper means as said gripper means traverses said arcuate, downwardly depending portion of said guide means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sheet delivery mechanism as set forth in claim 3 in which said gripper means includes, a gripper finger pivotally secured to said articulated means and having an end portion abutting a gripper pad, resilient means to maintain said gripper finger End portion in abutting relation with said gripper pad, and means to move said gripper finger away from said gripper pad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sheet delivery mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in which said articulated means includes, a rod member connected at one end to said endless chain and at the other end to said gripper means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sheet delivery mechanism as set forth in claim 5 which includes, ball joint means connecting an end of said rod member to said chain and other ball joint means connecting said rod member to said gripper means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sheet delivery mechanism as set forth in claim 1 which includes separate guide means positioned adjacent to each endless chain, a plurality of gripper means aligned transversely across said sheet delivery mechanism and separately driven by said endless chains.
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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |