Patent US4288070A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4288070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Chute return mechanism for a photocopier collator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-09-12
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Granted: 1981-09-08
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Expires: 1999-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a chute return mechanism for use in combination with a photocopier collator wherein a movable paper chute is disposed between a discharge slot of a photocopy machine and an entry point of a plurality of bins mounted adjacent thereto. The chute return mechanism controls the movement of the movable paper chute so that copies received from the photocopy machine are directed successively into one of the plurality of bins. The chute is successively diverted to each of the predetermined number of bins by means of a pulse from the photocopy machine which indicates that a copy has been produced and discharged to a bin. The pulse actuates a solenoid which controls a cam latch of the chute return mechanism thereby releasing a follower which is attached to the movable paper chute. Actuation of the solenoid successively lowers the paper chute to divert successive sheets of photocopies to each of the predetermined number of bins. After the pulse from the photocopy machine has actuated the solenoid, the latch is pulled away from the solenoid by means of a spring. After a predetermined number of photocopies have been diverted to each of the successive bins, a second solenoid is actuated to impart motion to a lever which returns the follower member connected to the movable paper chute to its original position to repeat the cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred R. Langner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/10; B65H39/11; B65H2408/00; B65H2408/10; B65H2408/11; B65H2408/112; B65H2408/1121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A chute return mechanism for a collator adapted for use with an electrostatic photocopy machine, said collator including a plurality of bins mounted within a housing, a movable chute operatively positioned to receive photocopies from a discharge slot of said electrostatic photocopy machine and divert said photocopies to each of said plurality of bins, said movable chute being selectively pivoted from an initial position, indexing means for selectively pivoting said movable chute including an electrical connection adapted to receive a first pulse from said electrostatic photocopy machine indicating that a photocopy has been discharged therefrom, said pulse actuating said indexing means for selectively pivoting said movable chute to lower said movable chute for diverting photocopies to each successive bin, the improvement comprising: return means for returning said movable chute including an electrical connection adapted to receive a second pulse from said electrostatic photocopy machine indicating the completion of a predetermined number of copies, said second pulse actuating a drive means for imparting motion to a lever means for returning said chute to its initial position for diverting a photocopy to a first bin of said plurality of bins, said indexing means includes a cam latch having a tortuous path with flanges for guiding a follower element connected to the movable chute to lower said movable chute in response to said first pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A chute return mechanism for a collator adapted for use with an electrostatic photocopy machine, said collator including a plurality of bins mounted within a housing, a movable chute operatively positioned to receive photocopies from a discharge slot of said electrostatic photocopy machine and divert said photocopies to each of said plurality of bins, said movable chute being selectively pivoted from an initial position, indexing means for selectively pivoting said movable chute including an electrical connection adapted to receive a first pulse from said electrostatic photocopy machine indicating that a photocopy has been discharged therefrom, said pulse actuating said indexing means for selectively pivoting said movable chute to lower said movable chute for diverting photocopies to each successive bin, the improvement comprising: return means for returning said movable chute including an electrical connection adapted to receive a second pulse from said electrostatic photocopy machine indicating the completion of a predetermined number of copies, said second pulse actuating a drive means for imparting motion to a lever means for returning said chute to its initial position for diverting a photocopy to a first bin of said plurality of bins, said indexing means includes a cam latch having a tortuous path with flanges for guiding a follower element connected to the movable chute to lower said movable chute in response to said first pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said lever means includes a pair of lever arms operatively connected to said drive means and in engagement with said follower element connected to said movable chute, actuation of said drive means imparting motion to said pair of lever arms to return said movable chute to its initial position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said indexing means for selectively pivoting said movable chute includes a first solenoid actuated by said first pulse and operatively connected to said cam latch to lower said movable chute with each actuation of said first solenoid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said movable chute and said pair of lever arms are mounted on an axis for movement relative to said plurality of bins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said drive means includes a second solenoid actuated by said second pulse and operatively connected to a first lever arm of said pair of lever arms, a second lever arm of said pair of lever arms being in engagement with said follower element, actuation of said second solenoid imparting rotation to said first and second lever arms thereby imparting motion to said follower element to return said movable chute to its initial position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said cam latch is pivotally mounted on said housing and is spring biased to a normally substantially vertical position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 6, wherein said follower element connected to said movable chute projects through an arcuate slot in said housing, said arcuate slot and said tortuous path of said cam latch acting together to retain said follower and selectively lower said movable chute with each actuation of said first solenoid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A chute return mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said movable chute is mounted on said axis on said housing and said arcuate slot defines an arc of a circle wherein the radius is defined as the distance between said follower and said axis of said movable chute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A collator according to claim 1, wherein said movable chute includes guide wires positioned interiorly thereof to reduce the friction of photocopies received from said electrostatic photocopy machine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A collator according to claim 1, wherein said movable chute includes a Teflon surface positioned interiorly thereof to reduce the friction of photocopies received from said electrostatic photocopy machine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3315957A
Cited
US3578859A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-07 | 1985-03-09 | 1985-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-07 | 1989-03-09 | 1989-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-07 | 1993-03-09 | 1993-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |