US3853314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collating machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-11-13
•
Granted: 1974-12-10
•
Expires: 1992-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Collating apparatus for use in association with duplicating machines for taking sheets from a duplicating machine and selectively distributing the sheets into a plurality of receiving trays, and wherein the collating apparatus is generally vertically disposed and equipped with receiving mechanism adjustable vertically for ready adaptation to varying discharge heights of duplicators'' feeding sheets to the receiving mechanism and having sheet handling and delivering mechanism including a conveyor belt having a generally horizontal reach component and a vertical reach component, and a second belt having a vertical reach component overlapping the vertical reach component of the first belt to convey sheets therebetween, with the second belt having an angularly extending reach component and having supporting pulleys for the belts with at least one pulley carrying the lower end of the vertical component of the second belt and being adjustable vertically with the receiving mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 E Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/58; B65H29/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
A vertical collating machine of the type in which a plurality of sheet receiving bins are arranged in vertically stacked relation including a support structure for the vertically stacked bins and conveying mechanism for delivering sheets to said bins, said conveying mechanism including a first sheet delivery endless belt having a vertical reach component positioned adjacent the entry end of each bin, said belt traveling vertically through said collating machine adjacent to the entrances to said vertically stacked bins, said belt including a horizontal reach component extending generally outwardly away from said bins and with respect to said vertical component, said belt having a second vertical reach component extending upwardly from a juncture thereof with said horizontal reach component, said mechanism including a second sheet transfer endless belt having a vertical reach component extending upwardly from adjacent said juncture in parallel relation to said second vertical reach component of said first belt and in overlapping relation to said first belt to a point adjacent the upper end of said collating machine so as to grip sheets between the first and second belts, said second belt including a component of reach extending generally horizontally with respect to said vertical component of said second belt over said stacked bins, support pulleys for said belts, at least one of said pulleys carrying said vertical component of said second belt being located adjacent said juncture, and support means carrying said one pulley and supporting said horizontal reach component of said first belt, said support means being vertically adjustable on said support structure for the vertically stacked bins whereby to adjust said one pulley and said belts vertically, said horizontal reach component of said first belt forming an entranceway adjacent said juncture to receive sheets and defining an infeeding station for delivering sheets to the gripping action of said overlapping belt portions and to gate devices for delivery to said bins, said gate devices transferring said sheets from the conveyor to the bins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
A vertical collating machine of the type in which a plurality of sheet receiving bins are arranged in vertically stacked relation including a support structure for the vertically stacked bins and conveying mechanism for delivering sheets to said bins, said conveying mechanism including a first sheet delivery endless belt having a vertical reach component positioned adjacent the entry end of each bin, said belt traveling vertically through said collating machine adjacent to the entrances to said vertically stacked bins, said belt including a horizontal reach component extending generally outwardly away from said bins and with respect to said vertical component, said belt having a second vertical reach component extending upwardly from a juncture thereof with said horizontal reach component, said mechanism including a second sheet transfer endless belt having a vertical reach component extending upwardly from adjacent said juncture in parallel relation to said second vertical reach component of said first belt and in overlapping relation to said first belt to a point adjacent the upper end of said collating machine so as to grip sheets between the first and second belts, said second belt including a component of reach extending generally horizontally with respect to said vertical component of said second belt over said stacked bins, support pulleys for said belts, at least one of said pulleys carrying said vertical component of said second belt being located adjacent said juncture, and support means carrying said one pulley and supporting said horizontal reach component of said first belt, said support means being vertically adjustable on said support structure for the vertically stacked bins whereby to adjust said one pulley and said belts vertically, said horizontal reach component of said first belt forming an entranceway adjacent said juncture to receive sheets and defining an infeeding station for delivering sheets to the gripping action of said overlapping belt portions and to gate devices for delivery to said bins, said gate devices transferring said sheets from the conveyor to the bins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said generally horizontally extending reach component of said second belt at its remote end is supportingly carried by a pulley and said pulley is movably mounted on said support structure for The bins for adjustment in a generally horizontal direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein a generally horizontally extending belt mounted on rollers is disposed in opposed parallel relation to said generally horizontally extending reach component over said stacked bins to grip said sheets therebetween and convey the sheets through said collating machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein gate means are provided to direct said sheets to said vertical reach component of the first sheet delivery belt for distribution of the sheets in said bins of the vertical collating machine or direct the sheets between said generally horizontally extending belt mounted on rollers and said generally horizontally extending reach component to convey the sheets through said vertical collating machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first sheet delivery belt and said second sheet transfer belt each comprises a plurality of spaced apart side-by-side belts in parallel relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vertically adjustable support means comprises a sliding block having a vertical guide slot therein, said guide slot being mounted for vertical sliding movement on said support structure for said stacked bins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sliding block comprises an opposed pair of blocks in spaced relation and said one pulley carrying the lower end of the vertical component of said second belt is rotatively mounted between said spaced blocks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein guide rollers are provided for said vertical reach component of said first sheet delivery belt, said guide rollers being disposed in vertically spaced relation upon opposite sides of said belt and positioned relative to said belt to define the path of travel of the belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 8 which includes a drive belt for said guide rollers and drive rollers having their axes coincident with the axes of the guide rollers to define a sinuous path of travel for the drive belt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said path of travel of said belt as defined by said guide rollers is moderately sinuous.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein a bottom guide roller for the vertical reach component of the first sheet delivery belt is offset inwardly relative to the belt toward said bins, said belt being disposed at an angle adjacent to the lowermost bin thereby to deflect sheets into said lowermost bin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vertical collating machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one pulley carried by said vertically adjustable support means provides direction-changing guide means for both said first and second belts.
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |