US4479642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reciprocating stitcher assembly operable along signature path
Assignee: KS MACEY MACHINE COMPANY Inc A CORP OF OH
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Filing: 1982-05-04
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Granted: 1984-10-30
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Expires: 2002-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A binding apparatus includes a plurality of feed stations (10, 12, 14) which stack sheets on an inclined conveying surface (16). A conveyor (20) continuously conveys the stacks along a workpath (w) to a stitcher assembly (B). The stitcher assembly includes a frame assembly (100) having a stitcher head mounting bar (130) and a clincher mounting bar (136) on which stitcher heads and clinchers are mounted in cooperative relationship. A power take-off assembly (54) rotates a stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft (200) in coordination with advancement of the conveyor. The stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft rotates lever arms (210, 212) which are connected by connecting links (214, 216), with a stationary structure such that the frame assemby is cyclically reciprocated longitudinally along the workpath. A stitcher head actuating assembly (220) and a clincher actuating assembly (240) are driven by the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft to cause the mounted stitcher heads and clinchers to be actuated at the same point in each reciprocation cycle. In this manner, a stitch is inserted in the same location in each conveyed stack.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith S. Macey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:00
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42B; B42B2/00; B42B2/02; B42C; B42C1/00; B42C1/12; D; D05; D05B; D05B33/00; D05B33/006; D05B41/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A stitcher assembly for stitching workpieces which are being conveyed longitudinally along a workpath, said assembly comprising: a frame assembly having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and including a stitcher head mounting means and a clincher mounting means which are adapted to mount at least one stitcher head and clincher in a cooperative relationship to the frame assembly; surface defining means for defining a workpiece supporting surface extending longitudinally through the frame assembly generally intermediate the stitcher head mounting means and the clincher mounting means; reciprocating means for cyclically reciprocating the frame assembly generally along the workpath in coordination with movement of the conveyed workpiece along the workpath; a stitcher head actuating means which is adapted to actuate at least one stitcher head mounted on the stitcher head mounting means, the stitcher head actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to cause stitcher head actuation at a selected point in each reciprocation cycle; and, a clincher actuating means which is adapted to actuate at least one clincher mounted on the clincher mounting means, the clincher actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to actuate the clinchers at substantially said selected point in each reciprocation cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A stitcher assembly for stitching workpieces which are being conveyed longitudinally along a workpath, said assembly comprising: a frame assembly having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and including a stitcher head mounting means and a clincher mounting means which are adapted to mount at least one stitcher head and clincher in a cooperative relationship to the frame assembly; surface defining means for defining a workpiece supporting surface extending longitudinally through the frame assembly generally intermediate the stitcher head mounting means and the clincher mounting means; reciprocating means for cyclically reciprocating the frame assembly generally along the workpath in coordination with movement of the conveyed workpiece along the workpath; a stitcher head actuating means which is adapted to actuate at least one stitcher head mounted on the stitcher head mounting means, the stitcher head actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to cause stitcher head actuation at a selected point in each reciprocation cycle; and, a clincher actuating means which is adapted to actuate at least one clincher mounted on the clincher mounting means, the clincher actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to actuate the clinchers at substantially said selected point in each reciprocation cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the surface defining means includes a plurality of support bars, each of the support bars being selectively removable from association with the stitcher assembly to accommodate positioning of a clincher.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the reciprocating means includes a reciprocating drive means operatively connected to a power take-off assembly for driving the frame assembly through the cyclic reciprocations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the reciprocating drive means drives the frame assembly with simple harmonic motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the reciprocating drive means includes: a lever arm means mounted at one end on a transverse drive shaft having an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis for rotation around the transverse axis, the transverse drive shaft being operatively connected with the power take-off assembly to be driven thereby; and, a connecting link connected with the other end of the lever arm means, such that rotation of the lever arm drives the frame assembly cyclically along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the transverse drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame assembly and the connecting link is connected adjacent one end with a stationary structure and wherein the stitcher head actuating means and the clincher actuating means are operatively connected with the transverse drive shaft to synchronize stitcher head and clincher actuation with rotation of the transverse drive shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a transverse drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame assembly transverse to the longitudinal shaft, the transverse drive shaft being operatively connected with the reciprocating drive means to be rotated in coordination with the reciprocating movement of the frame assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 7 further including a first eccentric connecting means for connecting the transverse drive shaft and the stitcher head actuating means to cause the stitcher head actuation at a selected rotational position of the transverse drive shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including a second eccentric means for connecting the transverse drive shaft and the clincher actuating means to cause clincher actuation at a selected rotational position of the transverse drive shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the power take-off means includes a dog leg arrangement operatively connected between the transverse drive shaft and a frame mounted drive shaft for transferring motive power from the frame drive shaft to the transverse drive shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the dog leg assembly includes a first leg pivotally connected between the frame drive shaft and a free moving shaft and a second leg assembly pivotally connected between the free moving shaft and the transverse drive shaft, the first leg assembly including a flexible drive means connecting the frame drive shaft and free moving shaft such that the free moving shaft is caused to rotate with the frame drive shaft and wherein the second leg assembly includes a second flexible drive means connected between the free moving shaft and the transverse drive shaft such that the transverse drive shaft is rotated with the free moving shaft, whereby power is conveyed from the frame drive shaft to the transverse drive shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the first and second flexible drive means are toothed belts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The stitcher assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the power take-off assembly includes a splined shaft which is rotated in coordination with the movement of the conveyed workpieces and a splined bushing slidably mounted on the longitudinal shaft to slide longitudinally therealong while being rotated thereby, the splined bushing being operatively connected with the transverse drive shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
202 words
A binding apparatus comprising: (a) a feeding means for continuously conveying stacks of sheets along a workpath; (b) a stitcher assembly for stitching the stacks, the stitcher assembly including: (i) a frame assembly including a stitcher head mounting means and a clincher mounting means to which at least one stitcher head and clincher are mounted in a cooperative relationship; (ii) surface defining means for defining a stack supporting surface extending through the frame assembly longitudinally along said workpath between the stitcher head and the clincher; (iii) reciprocating means for cyclically reciprocating the frame assembly longitudinally along said workpath in coordination with the movement of the conveyed stacks along said workpath; (iv) a stitcher head actuating means for actuating the stitcher head, the stitcher head actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to cause stitcher head actuation at a selected point in each reciprocation cycle; (v) a clincher actuating means for actuating the clincher, the clincher actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to actuate the clinchers at substantially said selected point in each reciprocation cycle; and, (c) finishing means for finishing the stitched stacks.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
202 words
A binding apparatus comprising: (a) a feeding means for continuously conveying stacks of sheets along a workpath; (b) a stitcher assembly for stitching the stacks, the stitcher assembly including: (i) a frame assembly including a stitcher head mounting means and a clincher mounting means to which at least one stitcher head and clincher are mounted in a cooperative relationship; (ii) surface defining means for defining a stack supporting surface extending through the frame assembly longitudinally along said workpath between the stitcher head and the clincher; (iii) reciprocating means for cyclically reciprocating the frame assembly longitudinally along said workpath in coordination with the movement of the conveyed stacks along said workpath; (iv) a stitcher head actuating means for actuating the stitcher head, the stitcher head actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to cause stitcher head actuation at a selected point in each reciprocation cycle; (v) a clincher actuating means for actuating the clincher, the clincher actuating means being operatively connected with the frame assembly and operatively connected with the reciprocating means to actuate the clinchers at substantially said selected point in each reciprocation cycle; and, (c) finishing means for finishing the stitched stacks.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the feeding means includes a conveyor which has projecting dogs for engaging the stacks, the conveyor extending through the stitcher assembly coextensive with the workpath to convey the stacks therealong.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further including means for coordinating the movement of the conveyor and the stitcher assembly reciprocating means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the reciprocating means includes a reciprocating drive means operatively connected with a power take-off assembly for driving the frame assembly through the cyclic reciprocations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 17 further including a stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft rotatably mounted on the frame assembly and operatively connected with the power take-off assembly to be rotated thereby in coordination with reciprocation of the frame assembly and wherein the stitcher head actuating means and the clincher actuating means are operatively connected with the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft to synchronize stitcher head and clincher actuation with rotation of the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the reciprocating drive means includes: a lever arm means mounted at one end on the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft for rotation around the transverse axis, and a connecting link mounted between the other end of the lever arm means and a stationary structure, such that rotation of the lever arm drives the frame assembly through the cyclic reciprocations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
136 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the power take-off assembly includes a first leg assembly pivotally connected at one end with a frame mounted drive shaft and pivotally connected at its other end with a free moving shaft, and a first drive means connecting the frame mounted drive shaft and the free moving shaft such that the free moving shaft is rotated with the frame mounted drive shaft; and a second leg assembly which is pivotally mounted at one end with the free moving shaft and pivotally mounted at its other end with the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft and a second drive means connected between the free moving shaft and the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft such that the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft is rotated with the free moving shaft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The binding apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein the power take-off means rotates a splined, longitudinal shaft disposed parallel to the workpath in coordination with the advancement of the conveyor and a splined bushing slidably mounted on the splined shaft for transmitting rotational motion from the splined shaft to the stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft.
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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) | 1987-10-30 | 1988-04-30 | 1988-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-30 | 1992-04-30 | 1992-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-30 | 1996-04-30 | 1996-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |