Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A sheet distributor, comprising: a plurality of spaced conveyor bed members aligned to define an elongated transport path in a plane tangent to the spaced members, the space between the members being gates from the transport path; at least one belt web traveling about end guides of fixed position, resting on the bed members and bridging the spaces therebetween to clamp sheets between said belt and the conveyor bed members; drive means for driving said belt web in a conveying direction to convey sheets along the transport path; a three-roller deflector assembly with the rollers thereof spaced in equiangular relationship; means for revolving and advancing the assembly along said path over said belt web; means to guide said assembly in a cyclic path which causes the assembly to plunge one roller fully into one said space until the belt is contained without appreciable slack in its path, and thereafter pivot about that one roller as it remains in position until a subsequent roller is brought into contact with the belt at the subsequent space, whereafter the one roller is retracted at a rate equal to the rate of insertion of the subsequent roller, whereby, the belt is maintained deflected for an extended period of time in each space and the belt is never permitted to become slack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A sheet distributor, comprising: a plurality of spaced conveyor bed members aligned to define an elongated transport path in a plane tangent to the spaced members, the space between the members being gates from the transport path; at least one belt web traveling about end guides of fixed position, resting on the bed members and bridging the spaces therebetween to clamp sheets between said belt and the conveyor bed members; drive means for driving said belt web in a conveying direction to convey sheets along the transport path; a three-roller deflector assembly with the rollers thereof spaced in equiangular relationship; means for revolving and advancing the assembly along said path over said belt web; means to guide said assembly in a cyclic path which causes the assembly to plunge one roller fully into one said space until the belt is contained without appreciable slack in its path, and thereafter pivot about that one roller as it remains in position until a subsequent roller is brought into contact with the belt at the subsequent space, whereafter the one roller is retracted at a rate equal to the rate of insertion of the subsequent roller, whereby, the belt is maintained deflected for an extended period of time in each space and the belt is never permitted to become slack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A sheet distributor as defined in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of web belts resting on said conveyor bed members, and there is a separate three-roller deflector assembly for each belt, but all deflector assemblies are on one central shaft and operated by the same means to advance and revolve the assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sheet distributor defined in claim 1, wherein the bed members are rolls in a conveyor configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A sheet distributor defined in claim 1, wherein the bed members are in a race conveyor configuration; and said means to guide said assembly including a cam track means for guiding the rollers in their plunge and retract paths and a cam track follower carried on the axis of each roller of the assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A sheet distributor defined in claim 1, wherein the bed members are in a roll conveyor configuration; said means to guide said assembly including a cam track means for guiding the rollers in their plunge and retract paths and a cam track follower carried on the axis of each roller of the assembly; and the deflector assembly having a central axis shaft with a three-sided cam on each end shaped to produce a cycloidal path of travel coordinated with the cam track means guiding the rollers of the assembly.