GB829467A - Sheet delivery mechanism and method of depositing sheets on a pile - Google Patents

Abstract

829,467. Sheet-delivery apparatus. HARRIS-INTERTYPE CORPORATION. Sept. 18, 1957 [Oct. 4, 1956], No. 29367/57. Class 100(1) In a sheet delivery slowdown mechanism including one or more suckers having a back and forth travel in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of sheet travel, each sucker and sucker actuating mechanism is so constructed and arranged that at the time of taking a sheet the sucker travels adjacent the path of movement of the sheet at substantially sheet speed, decelerates thereafter to approximately zero speed, releases the sheet, and returns to its original position in time to take the next succeeding sheet, the succeeding sheet being maintained out of coiitact with the sucker during its return movement. The slowdown mechanism 26 (Fig. 1) is positioned so as to grasp the trailing edge of a sheet as it is released by grippers 23 on delivery chains 22 and so as to deposit the sheet on a pile 25. The mechanism 26 comprises two transverse pipes 28, 29 (Figs. 2 and 3) mounted in frame members 30 adjustable on tracks 31, 32 having racks engaged by pinions 33, 34 on a rotatable shaft 35. The-frame also includes two outer brackets 38 and two inner brackets 39, 40 mounted on the pipes 28, 29. 'Suction plates 41, having apertures 42, are mounted on brackets 38, 39, 40, the apertures 42 being connected to the tube 28 by passages 43. In bearings in brackets 39 and 40 are two short shafts having gears 50 and 51 keyed thereto, both gears mesning with a gear 52 on a drive shaft 53. Discs 56 and 58 are secured on the short shafts on which are mounted the suckers 60. The suckers are pivoted at one end to discs 56 and are provided with grooves 65 in which run cam rollers 68 on the discs 58. As gear 52 rotates the suckers are constrained to move in the path shown in broken lines in Fig. 5. The suckers are provided with nipples 63 connected by pipes 73 to brackets 70 having suction nipples in communication with the pipe 29. Adjacent the brackets 38 eccentrics 77 are mounted on the shaft 53 for operating joggers 80 pivotally mounted at 81 upon the brackets. Mounted in the frame of the device is an overhead blowdown pipe 83. The pipe 28 is exposed to constant suction through a connection 84 whilst pipe 29 is subjected to alternating suction and air pressure, as is pipe 83. Suction is controlled by a rotary valve having a casing 85 and a rotor 86 revolving at half the angular speed of the shaft 53. Suction is applied through a conductor 87 and pressure through conductor 88. Conductors 89 and 90 lead to pipes 29 and 83 respectively. In operation a sheet being delivered passes over the plates 41 and is thus kept taut until the suckers 60 grasp the trailing edge on release of the sheet by the grippers 23. At this time air is blown through pipe 83. The suckers 60 rapidly decelerate to zero speed at which time suction is discontinued and air pressure applied to release the sheet. The suckers 60 then move rearwardly at a slower speed under the next succeeding sheet until, after reaching their rearmost position, suction is again applied and the suckers accelerated to sheet speed ready for grasping the trailing edge of the next sheet.