US4767115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable accumulator for paper sheets
Assignee: Bell and Howell GmbH
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Filing: 1986-07-14
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2006-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an accumulator for paper sheets which are conveyed by conveyor belts to a receiving area comprised of parallel support members having spaces therebetween. The conveyor belts are mounted on rollers, at least one set of which is mounted on a first track-mounted movable carriage, and at least one other set of which is mounted on a second track-mounted movable carriage. The two carriages are linked so that motion of said first carriage to adjust the length of the receiving areas causes motion of said second carriage in a direction opposite to the motion of said first carriage to thereby maintain the conveyor belts under constant tension. The support members may be constituted of either plastic or metallic strips or rods. At least one set of rollers also has bristle means to aid in the conveyance of the paper sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthias Garthe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:26
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/12; B65H29/14; B65H31/00; B65H31/20; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/10; B65H2404/11; B65H2404/115; B65H2404/1151
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
In an adjustable accumulator for accumulating paper sheets, including a plurality of movable carriages and a plurality of supporting rollers and at least one conveyor belt, at least one of the supporting rollers of which is rotatably mounted on a first movable carriage, said first carriage movable in a direction that is parallel to the direction of conveyance of said paper sheets so that the distance between said first carriage and a stop is variable, the improvement comprising: at least one additional supporting roller supporting said conveyor belt mounted rotatably on a second movable carriage, said first and second movable carriages being adapted to move in parallel, but opposite directions; and, means interconnecting said first and second carriages so that, when said first carriage moves in a way to shorten the distance between said stop and said first carriage, said second carriage moves in a direction parallel, but opposite to, the direction of motion of said first carriage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
In an adjustable accumulator for accumulating paper sheets, including a plurality of movable carriages and a plurality of supporting rollers and at least one conveyor belt, at least one of the supporting rollers of which is rotatably mounted on a first movable carriage, said first carriage movable in a direction that is parallel to the direction of conveyance of said paper sheets so that the distance between said first carriage and a stop is variable, the improvement comprising: at least one additional supporting roller supporting said conveyor belt mounted rotatably on a second movable carriage, said first and second movable carriages being adapted to move in parallel, but opposite directions; and, means interconnecting said first and second carriages so that, when said first carriage moves in a way to shorten the distance between said stop and said first carriage, said second carriage moves in a direction parallel, but opposite to, the direction of motion of said first carriage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said interconnecting means comprise wire ropes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means comprise a toothed belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said additional roller is spring-mounted on said second movable carriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising paper support means located between said stop and said first movable carriage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said support means are comprised of a row of parallel strips of material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said material is plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said strips are comprised of metal wires.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said stop further comprises an end bar having apertures therein through which at least two, a first and a second, opposed rollers may cooperate to engage said paper sheets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which one drive roller has mounted eccentrically thereon a pivotable, spring-mounted, stop lever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said second roller has a circumference so that it cooperates with said first roller only for a part of their rotation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising support means located between said first carriage and said stop, said support means comprising thin rods passing through said first carriage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, further including a guide rod affixed to said first carriage and extending transversely thereto on the side of the receiving area, and a fixed anchoring point, whereby said guide rod functions to maintain the relationship between said support means which are slidingly supported and deflected by said guide rod and said fixed anchoring point to which said support means are fastened with their ends remote from the fastening point at the top.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, in which said support means are anchored to said fixed anchoring point by way of a spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including radially protruding bristle tufts mounted on extension of said supporting rollers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2785893A
Cited
US4097042A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |