US3907274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet delivery apparatus for printing presses including double stacker
Assignee: BNY Mellon NA
•
Filing: 1973-06-21
•
Granted: 1975-09-23
•
Expires: 1993-06-21
Abstract
Abstract The sheet delivery apparatus includes means for delivering sheets on a delivery conveyor either all to a selected one of two sheet stack receiving means, or alternate sheets to each stack receiving means. As another alternative, counted batches of sheets may be delivered alternately to the two sheet stack receiving means. A third sheet receiving means, of limited capacity is provided to receive selected sheets for inspection, and at times to receive other sheets. The sheet delivery chain carries sheet grippers and cam followers for operating the grippers to sheet releasing positions. The cam followers on alternate sheet grippers along the chain are spaced at one of two different locations laterally of the chain. Each sheet stack receiving means is provided with two retractable cams, spaced laterally corresponding to the two lateral locations of the followers. When any cam is moved from its retracted position to an active tripping position, it engages the cam followers on alternate grippers along the chain, so that alternate sheets are dropped from the chain at that location. Each sheet receiving means includes a stacker comprising two vertically extending opposed conveyors, each having retractable brackets projecting toward the opposite conveyor. Plates or pallets may be inserted on the brackets to receive the sheets. The conveyors are driven downwardly as the stack builds up. The brackets are retracted upon engagement with the edges of the stacked plates, so that the movement of the conveyors may continue after the motion of the plates is stopped.
Inventors
- 👤 Amato Salvatore F D
- 👤 Jr Chauncey P Foote
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/02; B65H29/04; B65H29/041; B65H29/045; B65H31/00; B65H31/04; B65H31/12; B65H31/18; B65H31/24; B65H33/00; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/422; B65H2301/4225; B65H2301/42256; B65H2301/4226; B65H2301/42264; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/30; B65H2404/31; B65H2404/311; B65H2404/3111; B65H2405/00; B65H2405/30; B65H2405/33; B65H2405/331; B65H2405/3311; B65H2801/00; B65H2801/03; B65H2801/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two sheet receiving positions, comprising: a. two sheet receiving means, one at each of said positions; b. an endless delivery conveyor extending from between the printing press, past the two sheet receiving means in succession; c. means for driving the conveyor; d. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; e. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower biased to a position in which the gripper means engages a sheet, and movable therefrom to a retracted, sheet releasing position; 1. the cam followers for a first set of gripper means being spaced laterally of the direction of movement of the conveyor from the cam followers of a second set; f. two cams in each sheet receiving means, respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers, for engaging the cam followers and thereby operating the gripper release mechanisms to their sheet releasing positions; and g. separate actuator means for each cam, each said actuator means being operable to move its associated cam between a retracted position in which the cam does not engage any of the cam followers, and an active position in which it engages the cam followers of one set of gripper means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two sheet receiving positions, comprising: a. two sheet receiving means, one at each of said positions; b. an endless delivery conveyor extending from between the printing press, past the two sheet receiving means in succession; c. means for driving the conveyor; d. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; e. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower biased to a position in which the gripper means engages a sheet, and movable therefrom to a retracted, sheet releasing position; 1. the cam followers for a first set of gripper means being spaced laterally of the direction of movement of the conveyor from the cam followers of a second set; f. two cams in each sheet receiving means, respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers, for engaging the cam followers and thereby operating the gripper release mechanisms to their sheet releasing positions; and g. separate actuator means for each cam, each said actuator means being operable to move its associated cam between a retracted position in which the cam does not engage any of the cam followers, and an active position in which it engages the cam followers of one set of gripper means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
Sheet delivery apparatus as in claim 1, in which the separate actuator means for the two cams in each sheet receiving means comprises: a. a shaft; b. a pair of concentric sleeves on said shaft; c. a pair of arms, each connected to one of said sleeves and each carrying one of said cams; and d. separate motor means for driving eaCh sleeve through a partial rotation on said shaft to drive the cam connected to said sleeve between said retracted position and said active position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
a cross shaft at each stack receiving position carrying a row of said peripherally ported wheels; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
a cross shaft at each stack receiving position carrying a row of said peripherally ported wheels; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
a row of wheels extending across the path of movement of sheets on the conveyor, said wheels having peripheral ports movable tangentially to the sheets and connected to a source of vacuum and effective to restrain and control the movement of the trailing edges of the sheet;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
a row of wheels extending across the path of movement of sheets on the conveyor, said wheels having peripheral ports movable tangentially to the sheets and connected to a source of vacuum and effective to restrain and control the movement of the trailing edges of the sheet;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
an endless delivery conveyor extending from between the printing press, past the two sheet receiving means in succession;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
an endless delivery conveyor extending from between the printing press, past the two sheet receiving means in succession;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
a row of wheels extending across the path of movement of sheets on the conveyor, said wheels having peripheral ports movable tangentially to the sheets and connected to a source of vacuum and effective to restrain and control the movement of the trailing edges of the sheet;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
a row of wheels extending across the path of movement of sheets on the conveyor, said wheels having peripheral ports movable tangentially to the sheets and connected to a source of vacuum and effective to restrain and control the movement of the trailing edges of the sheet;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
a longitudinally extending shaft carrying bevel gears cooperating with the bevel gears connected to the second cross shafts; and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
a longitudinally extending shaft carrying bevel gears cooperating with the bevel gears connected to the second cross shafts; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
6 words
means for rotating said londitudinal shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
6 words
means for rotating said londitudinal shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
stacker means for receiving and stacking sheets released by the gripper means, each said stacker means comprising: i. two horizontally spaced, downwardly traveling, opposed conveyor means; ii. retractable brackets on each said conveyor means projecting toward brackets on the opposite conveyor means; iii. common drive means for the two conveyor means; and iv. a plurality of separators, insertable in said stacker so as to be supported on a set of opposed brackets for receiving sheets; v. said brackets being retracted by engagement with any separator which has reached its limit of downward movement in an accumulating stack; f. common drive means for rotating the vacuum wheels at both of said receivers; and g. common means for adjusting longitudinally of the delivery conveyor the vacuum wheels at both said stack receiving means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
131 words
stacker means for receiving and stacking sheets released by the gripper means, each said stacker means comprising: i. two horizontally spaced, downwardly traveling, opposed conveyor means; ii. retractable brackets on each said conveyor means projecting toward brackets on the opposite conveyor means; iii. common drive means for the two conveyor means; and iv. a plurality of separators, insertable in said stacker so as to be supported on a set of opposed brackets for receiving sheets; v. said brackets being retracted by engagement with any separator which has reached its limit of downward movement in an accumulating stack; f. common drive means for rotating the vacuum wheels at both of said receivers; and g. common means for adjusting longitudinally of the delivery conveyor the vacuum wheels at both said stack receiving means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
5 words
means for driving the conveyor;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
5 words
means for driving the conveyor;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
Sheet delivery apparatus as in claim 2, in which said cams are adjustable on said arms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
stacker means for receiving and stacking sheets released by the gripper means; f. common drive means for rotating the vacuum wheels at both of said receivers, including:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
stacker means for receiving and stacking sheets released by the gripper means; f. common drive means for rotating the vacuum wheels at both of said receivers, including:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
drive means connecting both cross shafts to the longitudinal shaft, said drive means including, for each cross shaft: i. a drive shaft; ii. a pair of universal joints, one connected to each end of said drive shaft; iii. a set of bevel gears connecting said longitudinal shaft to one of said universal joints; iv. means connecting the other universal joint to the cross shaft; and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
drive means connecting both cross shafts to the longitudinal shaft, said drive means including, for each cross shaft: i. a drive shaft; ii. a pair of universal joints, one connected to each end of said drive shaft; iii. a set of bevel gears connecting said longitudinal shaft to one of said universal joints; iv. means connecting the other universal joint to the cross shaft; and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
means for rotating said longitudinal shaft; and g. common means for adjusting longitudinally of the delivery conveyor the vacuum wheels at both said stack receiving means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
means for rotating said longitudinal shaft; and g. common means for adjusting longitudinally of the delivery conveyor the vacuum wheels at both said stack receiving means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
115 words
Sheet delivery apparatus as in claim 1, in which: a. each said sheet receiving means includes means for stacking a multiplicity of sheets; b. an auxiliary sheet receiving means of limited capacity as compared to the other two; c. two cams in the auxiliary sheet receiving means, respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers; d. separate cam actuator means for the last-mentioned cams; and d. means for controlling the last-mentioned cam actuator means so as to maintain each cam in the auxiliary sheet receiving means in its retracted position unless all of the cams for the corresponding set of cam followers in the first two sheet receiving means are in their retracted positions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower biased to a position in which the gripper means engages a sheet, and movable therefrom to a retracted, sheet releasing posItion; i. the cam followers for a first set of gripper means being spaced laterally of the direction of movement of the conveyor from the cam followers of a second set; and
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower biased to a position in which the gripper means engages a sheet, and movable therefrom to a retracted, sheet releasing posItion; i. the cam followers for a first set of gripper means being spaced laterally of the direction of movement of the conveyor from the cam followers of a second set; and
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
100 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two sheets receiving positions, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the stack receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower movable from a gripping position in which the gripper means engages a sheet to a sheet releasing position;
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
100 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two sheets receiving positions, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the stack receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower movable from a gripping position in which the gripper means engages a sheet to a sheet releasing position;
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
two cams in each sheet receiving means, respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers, for engaging the cam followers and thereby operating the gripper release mechanisms to their sheet releasing positions; and
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
two cams in each sheet receiving means, respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers, for engaging the cam followers and thereby operating the gripper release mechanisms to their sheet releasing positions; and
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
71 words
Sheet delivery apparatus as in claim 5, in which said common adjusting means includes: a. a pair of racks extending longitudinally on each side of the delivery conveyor; b. a second cross shaft at each stack receiving station; c. means on each second cross shaft supporting the corresponding first cross shaft; d. two pinions on each second cross shaft engaging said racks; and e. drive means for each cross shaft including:
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
51 words
Sheet delivery apparatus as in claim 6, including: a. means for laterally adjusting the position of the peripherally ported wheels along the cross shaft; b. means biasing the cross shaft to maintain it at right angles with the longitudinal shaft and to take up lost motion in the rack and pinions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
separate actuator means for each cam, each said actuator being operable to move its associated cam between a retracted position in which the cam does not engage any of the cam followers, and an active position in which it engages the cam followers of one set of gripper means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
49 words
separate actuator means for each cam, each said actuator being operable to move its associated cam between a retracted position in which the cam does not engage any of the cam followers, and an active position in which it engages the cam followers of one set of gripper means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
76 words
Sheet delivery apparatus as in claim 7, in which said biasing means comprises: a. a housing attached to each vacuum wheel and slidable on said cross shaft and non-rotatable with respect to the cross shaft; b. a transverse rod; c. a flexible strap attached at one end to the housing and extending over the transverse rod; d. a weight carried at the opposite end of said flexible strap and biasing said housing toward said transverse rod.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
100 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two sheet receiving positions, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the stack receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower movable from a gripping position in which the gripper means engages a sheet to a sheet releasing position;
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
100 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two sheet receiving positions, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the stack receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower movable from a gripping position in which the gripper means engages a sheet to a sheet releasing position;
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
243 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two principal receiving positions or to an auxiliary sheet receiving position, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the stack receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. two stack receiving means, one at each of said principal sheet receiving positions; e. stack Selector means operable to select delivery of all sheets to either one of said stacks or of alternate sheets to both of said stacks; f. sheet receiving means of limited capacity at said auxiliary stack receiving position; g. means for transferring to said auxiliary shehet receiving position all sheets which pass said principal stack receiving positions; h. time controlled means for operating said transferring means to disable the stack selector means for a predetermined time and during that time to deliver to the auxiliary sheet receiving means all sheets selected by the stack selector means for delivery to at least one stack; and i. means for selectively setting said time-controlled means to disable the stack selector means either for a first predetermined time of the order of the time required to deliver one sheet to the auxiliary receiving means, or for a second predetermined time of the order of one minute.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
243 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two principal receiving positions or to an auxiliary sheet receiving position, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the stack receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. two stack receiving means, one at each of said principal sheet receiving positions; e. stack Selector means operable to select delivery of all sheets to either one of said stacks or of alternate sheets to both of said stacks; f. sheet receiving means of limited capacity at said auxiliary stack receiving position; g. means for transferring to said auxiliary shehet receiving position all sheets which pass said principal stack receiving positions; h. time controlled means for operating said transferring means to disable the stack selector means for a predetermined time and during that time to deliver to the auxiliary sheet receiving means all sheets selected by the stack selector means for delivery to at least one stack; and i. means for selectively setting said time-controlled means to disable the stack selector means either for a first predetermined time of the order of the time required to deliver one sheet to the auxiliary receiving means, or for a second predetermined time of the order of one minute.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
298 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two principal receiving poistions or to an auxiliary sheet receiving position, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower movable from a gripping position in which the gripper means engages a sheet to a sheet releasing position, the cam followers for a first set of gripper means being spaced laterally of the direction of movement of the conveyor from the cam followers of a second set; e. two principal stack receiving means, one at each of said principal sheet receiving positions; f. auxiliary stack receiving means of limited capacity at said auxiliary stack receiving position; e. each of said receiving means including two cams respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers for engaging the cam followers of said two sets of gripper means and operating the respective gripper release mechanisms to their sheet releasing positions; h. separate actuator means for each cam, each said actuator means being operable to move its associated cam between a retracted position in which the cam does not engage any of the cam followers, and an active position in which it engages the cam followers of one set of gripper means; and i. means responsive to the retraction of the cams for operating one set of gripper release mechanisms at both of said principal sheet receiving positions to operate the corresponding cam at the auxiliary sheet receiving position to its active position.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
298 words
Sheet delivery apparatus for receiving sheets from a printing press and carrying the sheets selectively to either of two principal receiving poistions or to an auxiliary sheet receiving position, comprising: a. an endless delivery conveyor extending between the printing press and the receiving positions; b. means for driving the conveyor; c. a plurality of gripper means spaced along the conveyor, each gripper means being shiftable between a sheet gripping position and a sheet releasing position; d. a gripper release mechanism in each gripper means including a cam follower movable from a gripping position in which the gripper means engages a sheet to a sheet releasing position, the cam followers for a first set of gripper means being spaced laterally of the direction of movement of the conveyor from the cam followers of a second set; e. two principal stack receiving means, one at each of said principal sheet receiving positions; f. auxiliary stack receiving means of limited capacity at said auxiliary stack receiving position; e. each of said receiving means including two cams respectively aligned with the two sets of cam followers for engaging the cam followers of said two sets of gripper means and operating the respective gripper release mechanisms to their sheet releasing positions; h. separate actuator means for each cam, each said actuator means being operable to move its associated cam between a retracted position in which the cam does not engage any of the cam followers, and an active position in which it engages the cam followers of one set of gripper means; and i. means responsive to the retraction of the cams for operating one set of gripper release mechanisms at both of said principal sheet receiving positions to operate the corresponding cam at the auxiliary sheet receiving position to its active position.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
85 words
Printing apparatus, comprising: a. a cylinder carrying two printing plates; b. a single feeder for feeding sheets to said cylinder so that successive sheets from the feeder are alternately printed by the two plates; and c. double stacking means for delivering sheets from the press alternately to two stacks, so that all of the sheets printed by one plate are delivered to one stack and all of the sheets printed by the other plate are delivered to the other stack, said double stacking means comprising;
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
85 words
Printing apparatus, comprising: a. a cylinder carrying two printing plates; b. a single feeder for feeding sheets to said cylinder so that successive sheets from the feeder are alternately printed by the two plates; and c. double stacking means for delivering sheets from the press alternately to two stacks, so that all of the sheets printed by one plate are delivered to one stack and all of the sheets printed by the other plate are delivered to the other stack, said double stacking means comprising;
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |