Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for forming a stack of shingles, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first means for conveying a shingle from a first position to a second position, (b) a second means at said second position for receiving said shingle from said first means and for dropping said shingle to a third position, (c) third means at said third position for receiving said shingle dropped from said second means and for accumulating a plurality of said shingles sequentially dropped by said second means, (d) fourth means positioned vertically between said second means and said third means for selectively applying, to said shingle as it falls from said second means to said third means, a moment about a longitudinal axis of said shingle, said moment being of a magnitude and duration adequate to rotate said shingle about said axis and invert said shingle as it falls to said third position, such that said plurality of shingles accumulated by said third means comprises at least one shingle which has been dropped from said second means without being inverted, and at least one shingle which has been dropped from said second means and inverted by said fourth means; wherein said fourth means comprises flipper arm configured to initially engage said selected shingle adjacent one edge thereof, said flipper arm being further configured so as to engage said selected shingle at locations progressively closer to said longitudinal axis as said shingle begins to rotate and fall to said third position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for forming a stack of shingles, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first means for conveying a shingle from a first position to a second position, (b) a second means at said second position for receiving said shingle from said first means and for dropping said shingle to a third position, (c) third means at said third position for receiving said shingle dropped from said second means and for accumulating a plurality of said shingles sequentially dropped by said second means, (d) fourth means positioned vertically between said second means and said third means for selectively applying, to said shingle as it falls from said second means to said third means, a moment about a longitudinal axis of said shingle, said moment being of a magnitude and duration adequate to rotate said shingle about said axis and invert said shingle as it falls to said third position, such that said plurality of shingles accumulated by said third means comprises at least one shingle which has been dropped from said second means without being inverted, and at least one shingle which has been dropped from said second means and inverted by said fourth means; wherein said fourth means comprises flipper arm configured to initially engage said selected shingle adjacent one edge thereof, said flipper arm being further configured so as to engage said selected shingle at locations progressively closer to said longitudinal axis as said shingle begins to rotate and fall to said third position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third means includes means for aligning the edges of said plurality of shingles received from said second means to form a stack thereof, said third means comprising means for dropping said stack thus formed to a fourth position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a pair of star wheels, said third means comprises a pair of star wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flipper arm includes a surface configured to be selectively positioned in the path of said selected shingle as it falls from said second means to said third means, the shape of said surface approximating that of a portion of a circular cylinder, the uppermost portion of said surface engaging said selected shingle adjacent said one edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said flipper arm comprises a plurality of flipper fingers, each said fingers having said shaped surface.