US4772009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorter for collating sheets into sets
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-30
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Granted: 1988-09-20
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Expires: 2002-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A sorter for collating sheets into sets comprises a plurality of sheet-receiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and an indexing wheel for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat. Adjacent bin plates are relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings and are interconnected to limit their maximum spacing. The bin plates are spaced apart opposite and at one side of the feed throat and arranged together on the other side of feed throat. The indexing wheel engages the bin plates sequentially and the bin plates are biassed away from the indexing wheel in one direction and their interconnection permits engagement thereof by the indexing wheel in opposition to the bias. The indexing wheel suitably has a discontinuous annular flange.
Inventors
- 👤 Franciscus V. Jacobs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/10; B65H39/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A sheet sorter comprising a plurality of sheet-receiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and means for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat, adjacent said bin plates being relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings, means, means interconnecting the bin plates to limit their maximum spacing, the bin plates being spaced apart opposite and at one side of the feed throat and being arranged together on the other side of the feed throat including spring means biasing apart the bin plates at one side of the feed throat, said indexing means engaging the bin plates sequentially and biasing apart the bin plates opposite the feed throat and being operable to index the bin plates past the feed throat in both directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A sheet sorter comprising a plurality of sheet-receiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and means for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat, adjacent said bin plates being relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings, means, means interconnecting the bin plates to limit their maximum spacing, the bin plates being spaced apart opposite and at one side of the feed throat and being arranged together on the other side of the feed throat including spring means biasing apart the bin plates at one side of the feed throat, said indexing means engaging the bin plates sequentially and biasing apart the bin plates opposite the feed throat and being operable to index the bin plates past the feed throat in both directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sheet sorter according to claim 1 in which the bin plates are arranged in a fan-like array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a sheet sorter comprising a plurality of sheet-receiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and means for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat, adjacent said bin plates being relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings, spring means biasing the bin plates away from the indexing means in one direction and means interconnecting the bin plates to limit their maximum spacing to permit engagmeent of the bin plates by the indexing means in opposition to said bias, whereby said indexing means is operable to engage the bin plates sequentially to transfer them in turn from each side to the other of the feed throat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a sheet sorter comprising a plurality of sheet-receiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and means for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat, adjacent said bin plates being relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings, spring means biasing the bin plates away from the indexing means in one direction and means interconnecting the bin plates to limit their maximum spacing to permit engagmeent of the bin plates by the indexing means in opposition to said bias, whereby said indexing means is operable to engage the bin plates sequentially to transfer them in turn from each side to the other of the feed throat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sorter according to claim 3 in which the bin plates are arranged in a fan-like array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sheet sorter according to claim 3 including means for supporting the bin plates on the side opposite that at which they are biased away from the indexing means so as to be spaced together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sheet sorter according to claim 5 in which means are provided to limit the minimum spacing of the bin plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A sheet sorter comprising a plurality of sheetreceiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and means for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat, adjacent said bin plates being relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings, spring means biasing the bin plates away from the indexing means in one direction and means interconnecting the bin plates to limit their maximum spacing to permit engagement of the bin plates by the indexing means in opposition to said bias, whereby said indexing means is operable to engage the bin plates sequentially to transfer them in turn from each side to the other of the feed throat said indexing means comprising a wheel which during each indexing movement engages the next bin plate before it disengages from the previous bin plate in both directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
A sheet sorter comprising a plurality of sheetreceiving bins defined by an array of movable plates and means for indexing the input ends of the bin plates sequentially past a fixed feed throat to align the bin openings in turn with the feed throat, adjacent said bin plates being relatively movable apart and together for varying the sizes of the bin openings, spring means biasing the bin plates away from the indexing means in one direction and means interconnecting the bin plates to limit their maximum spacing to permit engagement of the bin plates by the indexing means in opposition to said bias, whereby said indexing means is operable to engage the bin plates sequentially to transfer them in turn from each side to the other of the feed throat said indexing means comprising a wheel which during each indexing movement engages the next bin plate before it disengages from the previous bin plate in both directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sheet sorter according to claim 7 in which the indexing wheel includes a discontinuous annular flange which engages the bin plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sheet sorter according to claim 8 in which said annular flange includes two circumferentially spaced annular segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1991-09-20 | 1992-03-21 | 1992-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-20 | 1996-03-21 | 1996-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-20 | 2000-03-21 | 2000-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |