Timing adjustment mechanism for continuous form stationery folding machine

Claim 1

In combination with apparatus for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therein, said apparatus including, a frame, an oscillating chute mounted on said frame for alternately distributing said successive lines of weakening in said paper in substantially opposite directions, rollers carried on said frame for dispensing said continuous strip of paper into said oscillating chute, folding means carried on said frame and operatively associated with said oscillating chute for urging said paper distributed by said chute into a folded condition, said folding means including, spirals shaped and dimensioned to receive and carry away from said oscillating chute creased edges of paper distributed by said chute, said spirals being independently adjustable prior to the operation of said apparatus, beaters for periodically tamping said paper distributed by said chute, said beaters assisting in the folding and positioning of said paper and being independently adjustable prior to the operation of said apparatus, said spirals and beaters moving in synchronous relationship with said chute during the operation of said apparatus, a support surface for receiving paper dispensed by said spirals and beaters, paper stops positioned above said support surface, each of said paper stops having at least one upstanding face for stopping the lateral travel of creased edges of paper distributed by said chute, gear train means for transmitting motive power to said rollers, oscillating chute, and folding means such that generally synchronized movement thereinbetween is maintained, a portion of said gear train means actuating said chute and said folding means, said portion actuating said chute and folding means without actuating said rollers, power means to drive said gear train means, means for simultaneously adjusting said oscillating chute and said folding means in relation to said rollers while maintaining said generally synchronous movement between said chute and folding means, said adjustment means including, PG,21 (a) at least one drive shaft positioned along said gear train means and transmitting motive power to said portion of said gear train means actuating said oscillating chute and said folding means, said drive shaft having a first segment and a second segment, and (b) a differential unit positioned along and interconnecting said first shaft segment and said second shaft segment for rotating said first shaft with respect to said second shaft so that said synchronous movement of said oscillating chute and said folding means may be adjusted in relation to said rollers when (i) said oscillating chute and said folding means are in motion during operation of said continuous form stationery folding apparatus, and (ii) said oscillating chute and folding means are idle prior to said power means being actuated to provide motive power to operate said continuous form stationery folding apparatus, said first and second shafts each carrying at least one component of said differential unit.