US1292001A

US1292001A - Sheet-delivery mechanism for printing-presses and other machines.

Info

Publication number: US1292001A
Application number: US21873118A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Miehle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1918-02-23
Filing date: 1918-02-23
Publication date: 1919-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1936-01-21

Description

R. MIEHLE.

SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND OTHER MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1918.

1,292,001 Patented Jan. 21,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A TTOR/VE Y5 m: Nouns "mu cu. mdvmmm Iunmamn.

R. MIEHLE. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND OTHER MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I918.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- m: nan-u mu: ca. mum-Luna. IAunIumI. n. c

R. MIEHLE. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND OTHER MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I918.

'Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. INVENTOR ATTORNEYS n-x nun-u mu: m. rnmunm. wuumnmn. n a

STARS P T FTCE.

ROBERT MIEHLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

.Application fiIed;Febrna1'y 23, 1918. Serial No. 218,731.

To all whom itmag concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT Mini-Inn, a citizen of the United 1 States, residing at Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new 'and useful Improvement in Sheet ,-.Delivery Mechanism for Printing-Presses and other Machines, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, concise, and. exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this, specification.

My invention. relates to sheet delivery mechanism for printing. presses and 7 other machines, and hasparticular relation to a printed side down or turn over. delivery which takes the sheet and inverts it before delivering the same upon the piling table; and the invention has for its main object to provide an improved and compact form of delivery mechanism of the described character, which may be operated at a very high rate of speed.

Further objects of the invention reside in providing various novel mechanisms which promote the facilitywith which sheets may be delivered and whose uses, however, are not restricted to the above described turn over delivery. alone.

l/Vith these and other objects in view which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention resides in the mechanism illustrated in. the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and disclosing the preferred embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a sheet delivery mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a portion of the mechanism showing the parts in a difi'erent position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a portion of the parts showing the same in a still difierent position.

Fig. 1 is a similar view of-a portion of the parts showing the same in a still different position as will be hereinafter described.

-Fig. 5 is a topplan' view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

.Fig.,6 is a top plan sectional view of a portion oft-he driving mechanism.

. Figs. 7 'andi8 are enlarged sectional elevations of the gripper mechanism, Fig. 8 ,being taken from the side opposite that from which Fig. 7 is taken.

Fig. 9 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of a portion of the mechanism as will be hereinafter fully described.

Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation of another portion of the mechanism as will be hereinafter fully described.

Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged sectional elevations of the mechanismtaken at right angles to each other.

Like characters of'reference indicate like parts in the various views.

The sheets are initially carried from the press upon the carrying tapes 1.

The outer end of said tapes 1 are supported upon pulleys 2 which are secured upon a shaft 3, which shaft is journaled in frames 4 disposed one on either side of the mechanism.

The main frames 5 are disposed one upon either side of the machineand studs 6 are mounted therein which support the. outer ends of the frames 4:.

The inner ends of the frames are sup ported in the usual manner, and inasmuch as the invention does not relate to the carrying tapes 1 or the mechanism for driving or supporting the same, it is unnecessary to describe the same in detail. Sheet guides 7 are su ported upon the frames 4 through means iereinafter to be more fully described and are disposed at intervals between the tapes 1 and extend outwardly of the pulleys 2 to guide the sheets into the delivery mechanism proper.

A stud shaft 8, formed with a flange 8 at its outer end, is mounted for rotation in an adjustable bracket 9, which is secured upon the right hand frame 5 by means of headed screws 10, screw threaded into said bracket, and engaging with said screw holes in frame 5 and clamping said frame 5 between their heads and the bracket 9. A sprocket 11 is fixedly mounted upon the flange 8, and in conjunction with a chain 12, which is in driven connection with the press mechanism, serves to drive said shaft in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated. by the arrow in Fig. 1. A shaft 13 ismounted for rotation in the frame 5 and extends across the space between the same and the ends thereof project beyond-their respective frames 5. A sprocket 14 is fixedly mounted upon the righthand end of the shaft 13, and a corresponding sprocket 15 is fixedly mounted upon the flange 8, and a chain 16 is trained over said sprockets 14: and 15 to provide a driving connection therebetween. By means of this driving connection between the

shafts

8 and 13, said shaft 13 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when said shaft 8 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as before described. The spur gear 17 is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 13 exteriorly of the right hand frame 5, and a gear similar to gear 17 is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 13 on the outside of the other frame 5. The driving mechanism for the sheet delivery mechanism proper of my invention is driven from the gear 17 and its corresponding gear upon the opposite side of the machine. This driving mechanism is exactly the same upon either side of the machine, and for that reason only one mechanism has been shown, as an illustration and description of the other side of the machine would bring out no new features or render the exposition of the same more clear. Mounted for rotation in the frame 5 is the stud. shaft 18 which has a spur gear 19 fixedly mounted thereon exteriorly of the frame 5 and meshing with the gear 17. The stud shaft 18 extends through the frame 5 and has a sprocket 20 fixedly thereon on the inside of said frame 5 and closely adjacent thereto. The frame 5 has an extension 21 projecting outwardly therefrom, and a sprocket or wheel 22 is mounted for rotation upon a stud 23 d1s posed outwardly of said sprocket 20 at a point about midway between the ends of the extension 21, said sprocket 22 being in line with the sprocket 20 and having its axis parallel to that of said sprocket. An endless driving chain 2 1 is trained over the

sprockets

20 and 22, the same defining the orbit of said chain. As above noted the gear 17 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and drives the sprocket 20 through the gear 19 in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, whereby the upper stretch of the chain 24 moves outwardly and the lower stretch thereof moves inwardly.

The other frame 5 has anextensionsimilar to extension 21 and disposed in parallelism therewith, and the driving mecha nism upon the opposite side of the machine is similar to that just described and embraces a chain similar to driving chain 24 and hav-- ing the same orbit of travel and disposed in a plane parallel thereto. Extending across the space between the driving chains and having its respective ends carried by said chains at corresponding points is a upporting structure 25. This supporting structure is disposed transversely of the line of movement and carries a number of gripper mechanisms 26, hereinafter to be fully described, which are disposed at intervals along said supporting structure and are adapted to engage the leading or advancing edge of a sheet 27, see Fig. 1, as it advances from the printing press or other machine over the sheet guides 7.

Extending across the space between the driving chains 24 and having its respective ends carried by said chains at corresponding points is a transverse rod structure 28. The supporting structure 25 and the transverse rod structure 28 preferably divide the driving chains into two equal parts, and, as a consequence, move in opposite directions along their similar closed paths as said chains" are driven as hereinbefore described.

Formed on the extensions 21 and disposed on the inside of the plane of the respective chains 24: are slides 29. Each slide embraces two parts, one lying within the closure of the path of the supporting structure 25 and the transverse rod structure 28, the other disposed without said inclosure, the adjacent ends of the respective members of each slide being spaced apart at the point where the path of said supporting structure 25 and transverse rod structure 28 cross the plane of the same to allow for the movement of said supporting structure 25 and rod structure 28 along their closed path. A slide block 30 is mounted for movement in each slide 29 and is of suificient length to bridge the space between the members of the respective slides so that the same may be supported in all positions in said slides. Disposed across the space between the slide blocks 30, and having the ends thereof mounted for pivotal movement in the respective slide blocks, is a second transverse rod structure 31, which is shouldered, as designated at 32 in Fig. 5, to prevent movement of said slide blocks 30 toward each other. Each slide block 30 has a downwardly extending lip 33 formed thereon which is adapted to engage an inwardly facing surface 3 1, formed on the structure of the respective slide to prevent movement of said slide blocks away from each other. A pair of connecting rods 35 have one end fixedly mounted upon the rod structure 31, each of said connecting rods being disposed adjacent but spaced from a respective slide block 30.. The other ends of said rods are pivotally mounted upon the transverse rod structure 28, thus forming a driving connection between the slide block 30 and the chain 2 1. The roller 36 is disposed outwardly of the transverse rod structure 31 and extends across the space between the slide blocks 30 and is provided with reduced ends which are mounted for rotation in respective slide blocks 30, whereby the same is earned by and mounted for rotation in said slide blocks. The construction and proportion of the above described mechanism is such that, as the chains 24 are driven 36, are disposed within the inclosure of the path of the supporting structure 25 and the -gripper mechanisms 26 carried thereby .whereby said supporting structures 25 and the gripper mechanisms 26 may pass the intersecting points of the path of said slide block 30 and roller 36 to cause a turnabout relation to take place.

A pair of brackets 37 are mounted upon the supporting structure 25, one adjacent each end thereof. A rock shaft 38 extends between said brackets and has the ends thereof pivotally mounted in respective of said brackets, and is disposed in spaced relation and parallel to said supporting structure 25 and in front of the same relatively to the-movement thereof. The supporting structure 25 is of regular cross section, preferably round, and each gripper mechanism embraces a gripper structure 39 mounted thereon and slidable along the same. These gripper structures may be secured in various positions along said supporting structure 25 by means of set screws 40, screws threaded vinto respective gripper structures and engageable with the supporting structure to clamp the gripper structures thereon. The

rock shaft 38 is journaled in extensions of the gripperstructure 39 to prevent the gripper structure from. rotating upon the sup- 35 porting structure 25, while the set screws 40 are loosed, and to afford a support for said rock shaft between the brackets 37 when the set screws 40 are tightened upon the supporting structure 25. Inasmuch as the rock shaft 38 is disposed in parallelism with the supporting structure 25 said gripper structures 39 may be moved along said supporting structure without interference. Each gripper structure is formed with a gripping surface or stationary jaw 41 and has an extension 42 projecting upwardly therefrom and disposed at one side thereof. A movable gripper element or jaw 43 is pivotally mounted at the upperiend of the extension 42 and is disposed in line with the respective gripper surface of jaw 41, and is adapted to be actuated to clamp a sheet upon said gripper surface 41. The extension 42 is disposed just in front of the gripping surfaces of the jaws relatively to the move ment of the supporting structure 25 and serves as a sheet stop to position the sheet as it is'received within said jaws. An arm 44 is formed upon each movable gripper element 43 and extends downwardly therefrom in front of the respective gripper structure 39, and acompression spring 45 has its one end disposed within a recess formed incach gripper structure 39 and engages the respective arm 44 with its other endto actuate automatically and without necessitating any fine adjustment or attention on the part of the operator. The portions of the gripper structure 39 in which the rock shaft 38 is journaled are disposed to oneside of, preferably the side upon which the extensions 42 are disposed, the gripping surfaces 41. An arm 46 is provided for each gripper mechanism and is mounted upon the rock shaft 38 to slide along the same. A set screw 47 is screw threaded into each arm 46 and is engageable with the rock shaft 38 whereby said arm may be clamped upon said rock shaft against rotarial movement thereon. Said arms 46 are formed to be disposed in line with respective movable gripper elements 43 and are adapted to engage the side of respective arms 44 opposite that which the springs 45 engage. Thus as the rock shaft 38 is rotated in one direction, counter-clockwise in Fig. 7, the arms 46 are moved to engage and move thegripper ele ments 43 to open position, as the rock shaft is rotated in the opposite direction the arms 46 are moved into disengaged relation with the arms 44 to allow each spring 45 to move its respective gripper element 43 into closed position independently of the other gripper element 43. By reason of the fact that individual means are provided for actuating each movable gripper element to move the same into closed position and the fact that the unitary means, which control said movable gripper element, and which is actuated to move said gripper element into open position, has no effect upon the closing of said gripper .element, other than that of timing the closing thereof, each gripper element grips the sheet with uniformity and irrespective of all of the other elements automatically and without necessitating fine adjustment, it being necessary only to adjust the arm 46 upon the rock shaft 38 so that they engage their respective gripper elements to -move the same in synchronism. Fixedly mounted upon the end of the rock shaft 38 lying adjacent the right hand frame 5 is an actuating arm 48 which extends rearwardly from the rock shaft 38 relatively to the movement thereof over the supporting:

, structure 35, and a friction roller 49 is rotacured upon the inner end of the right hand &

extension frame 21 and is disposed to engage said roller 49 to rotate the rock shaft 38 to actuate said gripper element 43 to open the same upon the initial outward movement of said gripper mechanisms and to allow the same to close as said gripper mechanisms advance farther along their path. The cam 51 is disposed to engage the roller 49 to open the gripper mechanisms as they move inwardly upon their path, this cam being adjustable along the path of said gripper mechanisms by means and for purposes hereinafter to be set forth. The mechanism is so timed that the cam 50 opens the-.gri per mechanisms prior to the time when the s eet 27, see Fig. 1, engages the extension 42 with its leading edge and allows the same to close after the sheet has engaged said extension with its leading edge.

After the gripper mechanisms 26 have gripped the sheets as just described they move outwardly along the upper stretch of their path, as defined by the chains 24, until the said gripper mechanisms are about to turn about the sprockets 22. During this movement of the gripper mechanisms 26 the roller 36 and the slide blocks 30 have been moving inwardly due to the fact that the transverse rod structure 28 has during this period, been moving inwardly along the lower inwardly moving stretch of said chains 24. The roller 36 and the slide blocks 30 continue their inward movement as the supporting structure 25 and gripper mechanisms 26 move about said sprocket 22 toward the point of intersection of their paths and that of the roller 36, and when said gripper mechanisms reach said point of intersection said roller 36 and the slide blocks 30 lie within the inclosure of the path of said gripper mechanisms a sufficient distance to allow said gripper mechanisms to-pass their point of intersection outwardly of said roller 36 and slide blocks 30 without interference to cause a turn-about relation therebetween. See Fig. 2. During the above described movement of the mechanism the gripper mechanisms 26, which engage the leading edge of the sheet in the initial outward movement thereof, have carried the sheet outwardly. As the gripper mechanisms 26 continue to turn about the sprockets 22 and after they have passed the point of intersection of said paths, they begin their inward movement along the lower stretch of the chains 24, and continue to carry the leading edge of the sheet. During this movement the transverse rod structure 28 completes its turn about the sprockets 20 and begins its initial outward movement, and as a result the roller 36 begins to move outwardly to engage the under side of the sheet inwardly of said gripper mechanism. As the mechanism progresses from this point the gripper mechanisms 26 move inwardly upon their path and carry the forward end of the sheet inwardly, while the roller 36 moves outwardly and against the under surface of the sheet and deflects it over the gripper mechanisms 26 and outwardly of the same to cause the inversion of the sheet. As the gripper mechanisms 26 move inwardly along their path, and the roller 36 moves outwardly along its path the relatively opposite movement of the gripper mechanisms 26 and the roller 36 cause the inversion of the sheet, until the gripper mechanisms 26 near the sprockets 20 as indicated in Fig. 3. The cam 51 is positioned so that the roller 49 engages the same at about the time when the roller 36 nears the tail end of the sheet, or when the sheet is almost completely inverted. At about this point the cam 51 engages the roller 49 to actuate the arm 48 to open the gripper mechanisms and release the sheet, which, being released, drops upon the piling table 52 disposed below the delivery mechanism and supported by downwardly extending formations of the extension frame 21. Fig. 4 shows the gripper mechanisms 26 just after the cam 51 has actuated the same to release the sheet.

In order that the sheet may be controlled as they drop upon the piling table, I have provided a novel sheet stop which is engageable with the leading edge of the sheet as it is released from the gripping mechanisms 26 and which guides the sheet as it drops upon said piling table. This sheet stop, in its preferred embodiment, embraces two elements, a stationary guide element 53 and a sheet stop 54 which is movable in the line of travel of the sheet and is initially engaged thereby as the sheet is released from the gripper mechanisms 26. A number of these sheet stops are employed and are disposed in a line extending transversely of the travel of the sheet, and are supported by a transverse rod 55, which is adjustable along the line of travel of the sheet by a mechanism now to be described. A rack bar 56, disposed below the lower stretch of the respective chains 24 and extending in parallelism therewith is secured upon the piling table supporting formation of each extension frame 21. These racks are provided with downwardly facing teeth, and a bracket 57 is mounted on each rack for sliding movement. The ends of the, transverse rod 55 are secured to respective brackets 57, whereby said rod 55 is supported, and the brackets 57 are maintained in spaced relation with each other. The sheet engaging portions of the guide elements 53 are disposed in front of the rod 55, and extend upwardly from the piling table 52, and are provided with a' rearwardly extending formation which embraces the rod 55 to allow the same to be moved longitudinally of said rod. A set screw 58 is screw threaded into the 'rearwardly extending formation-of each guide element '53 and-is adapted to engage said rod to secure said guide elements in any adjustment thereon. A shaft 59 is journaled in the bracket 57 and extends across the space between the same in parallelism with the rod 55. A gear 60 is fixedly mounted uponeach'end'of theshaft 59 exteriorly of the respectivebrackets57, and meshes with the downwardly facing teeth ot the respective rack 56. A crank handle 61 is fixedly mounted upon the right hand end of the shaft 59 exteriorly of the adjacent gear 60 to facilitate manual rotation of the shaft 59 and the gears 60. A set screw-62 is screw threaded into the right hand bracket 57 and is adapted to engage the shaft 59 to secure the same against rotation.

The stationary guide elements 53 are provided with rearwardly projecting extensions 63 disposed below the shaft 59. Each movable sheet stop 54 is formed with a vertical sheet engaging'portion and a horizontal rearwardly extending portion projecting from the lower end'of the vertical or sheet engag ing portion thereof. The rearward end of each horizontally extending portion of said sheet stop 54 is pivotally' mounted a respective extension 63-by means of a stud 64 mounted thereon and extending laterally therefrom. A projection 65 is formedupon each extension 6.3 in front of the respective stud 64 and-is disposed to engage the under surface of the rearwardly extending portion of the respective sheet stop 54 to limit the downward movement thereof. It will be noted that the shaft 59 is disposed above the rearwardly extending portion of the sheet stop 54 and constitutes a stop to limit the upward movement thereof. By reason of the fact that the weight of the sheet stop 54 Y is disposed-forwardly of the pivotal point properly positioned to be engaged by the thereof, the gravital tendency of the same is to move the same against the projection 65, the vertical or sheet engaging portion thereof being disposed to assume a vertical position in line with the sheet engaging surfaces of the stationary guide element when said projection 65 is engaged as just described. As the sheet moves against the sheet stops 54, the momentum of the same pushes the sheet stops 54 rearwardly in the direction of the travel of the sheet, see Fig. 4, until said momentum is spent. After the momentum of the sheet is spent, the gravital tendency of the sheet stop 54 moves said sheet stopsand the engaged sheet forwardly until said sheet stops assume their normal vertical position. at which point the sheet is stationary guide elements 53 to properly guide the same as it drops upon the pihng table.

e -What the $1 99? sto ud-the 'releasing'cam 51 may be adjusted in proper relation with each other, the cam 51 is formed integrally. with the right hand bracket 57, so that as the sheet stops are adjusted to properly position the sheet upon the piling table 52, thecam 51 is also adjusted to cause the release of the sheet at the proper time relatively to the sheet stops.

It will also be noted at this point that by reason of the fact that the cam 51 is made adjustable tofrelease the sheet at different points, the sheet may be delivered on the-desired portionvof the pilingtable, for convenient access thereto, regardless of the size thereof.

It will be noted that by the herein described construction of the gripper mechanisms and their controlling means, an open space is provided a between the adjacent gripper mechanisms, whichspace extends at the gripping point of said gripper elements toward the supporting structure 25 thereof and the controlling.mechanism of the same. The sheet'stops 54, as above described, are disposed in line with the spaces between the gripper mechanisms and project across the path of the sheet and the gripping point of the gripper mechanisms 26, the upper end of said sheet stops being disposed to clear the supporting structure 25 and the rock shaft 38.

The sheet guides 7 are also disposed in line withsaid above mentioned spaces between the gripping mechanisms and'extend forwardly in. parallelism with the outgoing portion of the path of said gripper mechauisn'is and are disposed below the gripping points thereof and above the supporting structure and the rock shaft 38 to support the rearward portion 1 of the sheet as said gripper mechanisms carry the sheet outwardly, see Fig. 2.

The sheet guides are supported at their rearward 0nd in the following manner. A rod 66 extends across the space between the frames4, rearwardly of the shaft 3, and has its ends supported in respective of said. frames and held against rotation thereby. This rod 66 extends between the upper and lower stretches of the carrying tapes 1, and has a number of arms 67 mounted thereon,

- and disposed in the spaces between adjacent.

tapes 1, and secured against rotation relatlvoly thereto by means of set screws 68 screw threaded into said arms and engag-' ing said rod. The rearward end of the sheet guides 7 are pivotally mounted at the free end of-respective of said arms 67 by means of studs 69 whose'axes lie parallel to said rod 66. Another rod 70 extends across the space between the frame-4 between the rod 66 and the shaft 3 and is secured therein against rotation. A number of cam arms 71 are mounted upon said rod 70 and are secured against rotation relatively thereto by means set screws '(g screw threaded into said cam arm and engaging said rod. Each .cam arm 71 engages the under side of a respective sheet guide 7 with its cam portion to cooperate with the respective arm 67 to support said sheet guide. By means of this supporting mechanism the sheet guides 7 may be adjusted at various levels relatively to the line of travel of the sheet, it being pos sible to position said sheet guides in parallelism with said line of travel in any adjustment of said sheet guides. This adjustment is accomplished by moving the arms 67 and the cam arms 71 about their respective shafts until the sheet guides assume the proper position and then securing said arms in that position by means of their respective set screws. Figs. 9 and 11 show the sheet guides 7 positioned in diiferent evels relatively to line of travel of the sheet whereby the sheet is corrugated longitudinally of the travel thereof and the leading edge of the sheet is moved against the extension 42 of the gripper structure in an undulated form whereby the sheet is stifi'ened and is enabled to move against said extension 42 without curling or buckling. See Fig. 9. The sheet is engaged by the gripper mechanisms in this undulated form and the sheet is maintained in this form until the cam 51 actuates said gripper mechanism to release the sheet, just prior to the time when the leading edge of the sheet engages the sheet stops 54:. As a result the sheet engages said sheet stops in said undulated form and retains the added stiifness above referred to to prevent curling or buckling against said sheet stops. As the sheet drops upon the piling table 52 the undulations disappear and the sheet settles upon the piling table in flat form.

In order that the sheet may be given addi tional undulations or corrugations extending longitudinally of the travel of the sheet I have disposed the gripper mechanisms 26 in different levels relatively to the line of travel of the sheet as shown in Figs. 8 and'9. It will be noted at this point that the stationary gripper surface or jaw 41 is extended in a direction away from the extension 42- and rearwardly relatively to the direction of travel and is curved around the supporting structure 25 to prevent the held sheet from being ruptured or cracked as the gripper mechanisms turn about the sprockets 22, see Fig. 2.

The roller 36 is provided with annular grooves 73 disposed at intervals along the length of the same. An endless belt element 74 is disposed in each of said annular grooves and loosely encircles said roller and hangs downwardly therefrom. These belt elements 74 constitute a yieldable means, which engage the deflected portion of the sheet to adjust the same out of the path of the roller 36 as it moves inwardly after having defiected the sheet whereby said roller is prevented from engaging the sheet on its inward movement and interfering with the same dropping upon said piling table 52.

Endless tape elements 75 are trained over and carried by the

transverse rod structures

28 and 31 and serve to support the rear end of the sheet as the same is moved outwardly of the sheet guides 7 and'before the same is deflected by the roller 36. These endless tape elements are provided with tape portions 76 having one end attached to respec tive of said endless tape elements on the upper stretch thereof and trained over the transverse rod structure 31 and having the free end thereof hanging downwardly therefrom to engage the deflected portion of the sheet to adjust the same out of the path of the roller 36 so that the same will not engage the sheet as it moves inwardly along its path and interfere with the dropping of the sheet upon the piling table 52, see Fig. 3.

Friction clamps 77 engage the opposite stretches of the respective tape elements to prevent said tape elements moving about the

transverse rod structures

28 and 31. These clamps embrace a pair of spaced bars disposed on one side of the stretches of said tape elements and a third bar disposed on the other side of said tape elements and positioned between said pair of bars to hold the opposite stretches of the tapes against said pair of bars and each other to cause friction therebetween. The tape portion 7 6 may be adjusted as to its length by pulling the stretches of the endless tape elements 7 5 in opposite direction through said friction clamps 77.

The supporting structure 25 has a rollerv 7S rotatably mounted at each end adjacent the respective chains 24:, which roller engages a bearer 79, formed on the respective extension frame 21 below the upper stretch of the chains 24, as said supporting structure moves outwardly from the upper level of its path, and which engages a bearer formed on the respective extension frame 21 below the lower stretch of the chains 24: while moving inwardly along the lower level of said path whereby the chains 24 are relieved of undue strain and said supporting structure 25 is carried outwardly and inwardly between the

sprockets

20 and 22. The transverse rod structure 28 has a roller 81 rotatably mounted at each end thereof adjacent the respective chains 24 which also engages the bearer 79 while moving outwardly from the upper stretchof chains 242 211116. which engages the bearer 80 while moving inwardly along the lower stretch of chains 24 for the same purpose. Said rollers 81 are disposed between a respective chain 24: and a respective sp'ective pulley formations 83 formed intogrally with and disposed at either end of the sheet engaging portion of the roller 36. Driving belts 84 are trained over respective pulleys 82 and pulley formations 83 to form a driving connection between the rollers 81 and the roller 36, whereby, as theroller 36 is moved outwardly along itspath, it is retated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. Thus, a-s said roller 36 moves outwardly and engages the sheet to deflect the same, said roller 36 rotates in a direction corresponding with themovement of the sheet relatively thereto whereby undue friction is eliminatedbetweensaid roller and the engaged sheet. Pulleys 82 are ofthe same-diameter asthe rollers 81, and the pulley formations S3 areiof a smaller diameter than the sheet engaging portion-of the roller 36, whereby a peripheral speedof'the roller 36 is greater than the peripheral speed of the roller-S 81 sothat the rolle1y36 may have substantially the same peripheral speed'as the speed of the engaged sheet In delivering variouskindsof sheetswith thistype of deliveryit is advantageousto vary the disposition of the roller 36, relatively to the gripper mechanisms 26, so that said roller 36 does not'completely deflect or turn over. the sheet, and break its-supporting relation therewith, and allow, the same to drop upon the pilingtable too longa period before. the lineal movement of the sheet has ceased so that there is little possibility of thesheet smutting by rubbing on thepiling tableor the top sheet. ofithe pile supported thereon. In order that this delivery may be adjusted in this respect I have providedmeans whereby the path of the-travel of the roller 36 may be changed'relatively to the path of travel of'the gripper mechanisms 26. This means embraces the following: The connecting rods 35 are formed of two overlapping elements clamped together by means of headed screws 85 passing through holes in one element-and screw threaded into the other element and clamping saidone element between the other elementsandtheir heads. Said other elements-of the connecting rods 35 have a, series of threadedholes 86 formed therein, and the screws, 85 may be engaged withvarious holes of said series toad ustthe length of said connecting-rods,

35. The driving belts 84 arev adjustable to accommodate the "arious lengths ofithe connecting. rods 35 by means of adjustment buckles 87. ofusual construction In order that the endless tape elements-7 5 may.be adjusted to accommodate the various lengths of the connecting rods 35 said endless tape elements 75 and tape. portion 76 areeach formed of a single strip ofta-pe having an adjustable buckle 88 secured to one end thereof, and having. the other end passing through said buckle to form the endless tape:

ported against movement within the inclosure thereof or toward the opposite stretchesthereof by means of a bearer90 formed on the respective extension frames 21 and above saidlower stretches'of the respective chains. It will be noted at this point-that the, arm 48 is depressed in a direction toward the inclosure of the path of the gripper mechanisms or toward the opposite side of the closed path, and, as the roller- 49 vis engaged by thecams 50 and 51, the

gripper mechanisms are supported againstthe influence of such engagement by the sprocket 20 and bearer 90, whereby the gripper mechanisms are operated with precision.

In addition to this, the fact that the arm 48 is actuated in a direction within the closure of the path of the gripper mechanisms, it is practical to dispose the upper and the lower stretches of the chains 24 in closer proximity, and it is unnecessary to provide supporting structures for the stretches of said chains on the outside of the inclosure of the same, whereby the mechanism may be constructed more compactly.

By reason of the fact that the gripper mechanisms 26 carry, the sheet an appreciable-distance over the piling table 52, and the fact that the roller 36 engages the sheet and carries it the rest of the distance over the piling table 52, the actual lineal speed of the sheet is relatively slow, and as a result, the sheet may be delivered at, much greater speed than is possible in mechanisms where one of the sheet engaging means travels the entire distanceover the piling table.

In addition to this advantage the structure permits of a driving and supporting mechanism for the sheet engaging element which is very simple and which permits of the easy assembling and disassembling of the same to permit a printed side up delivery to be installed in the main supportingstructure.

The supporting structure 25 and the transverse rod structure 28 are provided with ends 91' of irregular cross section which are disposed in respective recesses formed inlaterally-extended chain blocks 92 of the respective chains 24. -See Figs. 12 and 13. These recesses extend in directions toward one another and have openings thereof facing in directions toward one. another.- The corresponding chain blocks on the side-ofthe chainsopposite the chain blocks 92 are extended laterally, as designated at 93, and engage respective bearers 94;, formed on the respective extension frames 21, which engagement prevents the chains 24 moving laterally away from one another and disengaging said ends 91 from their respective recesses. If it. is desired to remove either the supporting structure 25 or the transverse rod 28, they are positioned on the upper stretch of their path midway between the sprockets 20 and 2.2 and that stretch of either chain 24: raised until the extended chain block 93 clears the respective bearer 94. That portion of the chain is then moved laterally away from the other chain until one of the ends 91 disengages from its respective recess. To install supporting structure 25 or the transverse rod 28, these operations are performed in a reverse order.

What I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent are:

1. In a sheet carrier, means for holding a sheet and movable in a cyclical path, a de fleeting means engageable with the held sheet and movable in a similar cyclical path disposed outwardly of said first mentioned path, the inner end of said second mentioned path overlapping the outer end of said first mentioned path, and mechanism for driving said means in unison with each other, said means being so timed relatively to one another that said means cross the paths of each other in regular order to cause 1 said means to turn about one another once during each cycle.

2. In a sheet carrier, means for holding the leading edge of a sheet and movable in a closed cyclical path, a deflecting means engageable with the hold sheet and movable in a cyclical path intersecting said first mentioned path and having one portion thereof disposed within the inclosure of said first mentioned path, and mechanism for driving both of said sheet enga ing means in unison, said holding means said deflecting means being so timed relatively to each other that said deflecting means lie within the inclosure of said first mentioned path the leading edge of a as said holding means intersects the outgoing portion of the path of said deflecting means.

3. In a sheet carrier, means for holding sheet and movable in a closed cyclical path outwardly and inwardly, a deflecting means engageable with. the held sheet and movable in a path out wardly and inwardly and having the inner end of its path intersecting and lying within the outer end of the inclosure of said path, and mechanism for driving said means in unison with each other, said means being so timed relatively to each other that said deflecting means lies within the inclosure of said first mentioned path as said holding means intersects the outgoing portion of the path of said deflecting means.

4. In a sheet carrier, two sheet engaging means movable in similar intersecting cyclical paths, one of said means having its path disposed to be crossed and recrossed by the other means as said other means noves to and away from one portion of its path, and mechanism for driving said means in unison, said means being so timed relatively to each other that said one means crosses the path of said other means during the periodbetween the time when said other means crosses the path of said one means while moving toward said portion of its path and the time when said other means recrosses said path while moving away from said portion oi its path, said one means remaining in the same relation to the path of said other means after it has crossed the path of said other means and until said. other means has recrossed the path of said one means.

In a sheet carrier, means for holding the leading edge of a sheet, a deflecting means engageable with the held sheet, said means being movable in similar intersecting cyclical paths, and mechanism for driving said means in unison with each other and adapted to move each of saidmeans in directions opposite to the corresponding movements of the other means and to cause said means to turnvabout one another once during each cycle. v

6. In a sheet carrier, a sheet engaging means mova-bleioutwardly and inwardly in a closed cyclical path, mechanism for drivsaid means, a second sheet engaging means movable outwardly and inwardly in a similar cyclical path outwardly of said first mentioned path and having the inner portion of its path intersecting and lying within the inclosure of said first mentioned path, one of said means being adapted to hold the leading; edge of a sheet and the other of said means being adapted to engage the held sheet to deflect the same, and

connecting element in operative connection with said driving mechanism and said second mentioned means adapted to move said second mentioned means in directions opposite to the corresponding movements of said first mentioned means and to cause said means to turn about one another once during each cycle. 7. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving: in a closed cyclical path out wardly. and inwardly, a sheet engaging-1 means in driven relation with said chain element and movable in a similar path, a second sheet engaging means movable outwardly and inwardly in a path disposed outwardly of said closed path and having the inner end of said path disposed within the inclosure of said first mentioned path,

one of said means being adapted to hold the leading edge of a sheet and the other of said means being adapted to engage the held sheet to deflect the same, and a connecting element in operative connection with said chain element and said second mentioned means .to establish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting element having its connection with said chain element at a point opposite that from which said first mentioned means is driven whereby said sheet engaging means move in opposite directions and are caused to turn about one another once during each cycle.

8. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closed cyclical path outwardly and inwardly, a sheet engaging means in driven relation with said chain element and movable in a similar path, a second sheet engaging means movable in a path outwardly and inwardly in a path disposed outwardly of said first mentioned means and having the inner end of its path disposed within the inclosure of the path of said first mentioned means, one of said means being adapted to hold the leading edge of a sheet and the other of said means being adapted to engage the held sheet to deflect the same, and a connecting element in operable connection with said chain element and said second mentioned means to establish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting element being connected with said chain to move said second mentioned means in a direction opposite to the corresponding movements of said first mentioned means when said chain element is moved whereby said sheet engaging means are caused to turn about one another once during each cycle.

9. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closed cyclical path outwardly and inwardly, means in driven relation with said chain element and movable in a similar path and adapted to hold the leading edge of a sheet, a slide disposed in the direction of outward and inward movement of said holding means, a deflecting means mounted for movement in said slide and adapted for engagement with the held sheet,'and a connecting element in operative connection with said chain element and said deflecting means to establish a driving connection therebetween when said chain is moved, said connecting element being connected with said chain to move said deflecting means in directions opposite to the cor responding movements of said holding means and adapted to move said deflecting means within the inclosure of the path of said holding means at the inner end of its travel.

'10. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving 'in a closed path outwardly and inwardly, means in driven relation. with said chain element and movable in a similar path and adapted to hold the leading edge of a sheet, a deflecting means adapted for engagement with the held sheet and movable outwardly and inwardly in a path disposed outwardly of said closed path and having the inner end of said path disposed within the inclosure of said first mentioned path and having the ingoing portion of said path disposed in the same plane or above the plane of the outgoing portion of said path, and a co-nnect ing element in operable connection with said chain element and said deflecting means to establish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting element having its connection with said chain element at a point opposite that from which said holding means is driven. v

11. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closed cyclical path outwardly and inwardly, means in driven relation with said chain element and movable in a similar path and adapted to hold the leading edge of a. sheet, a slide disposed in the direction of outward and inward movement of said holding means, a deflecting means m unt d for movement in said slide and adapted for engagement with the held sheet, and a connecting element inoperative connection with said chain element and said deflecting means to establish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting element having its connection with said chain element at a point opposite 'that from which said holding means is driven and adapted to move said deflecting means within the inclosure of the path of said holding means at the inner end of its travel.

12. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism moving in a closed path, means for actuating said gripper mechanism and disposed exteriorly of said path.

13. In a. sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closed path. a gripper mechanism carried by said chain element, means for actuating said gripper mechanism and disposed cxteriorly of said closed path, and means for supporting said chain element against movement within said closed path.

14:. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism moving in a closed path, means for controlling said gripper mechanism and adapted for movement in a direction toward the opposite side of said closed path, and means for actuating said last mentioned means in said direction.

15. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closed path, a gripper mechanism carried by said chain element, means for controlling said gripper mechanism and adapted for movement in a direction toward the opposite side of said closed path, means for actuating said last men-- tioned means insaid direction, and means for supporting said chain element against movement within said closed path.

16. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, a sheet engaging element mounted for reciprocal movement and disposed on one side of the plane of said driving element, and a connecting element in operative connection with said driving element and said sheet engaging element for imparting motion from said driving element to said sheet engaging element and disposed on said one side of said driving element.

17. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, a rotatably mounted sheet engaging roller movable in a reciprocal path, a connecting element in operative connection with said driving element and said roller for imparting motion from said driving element to said roller, a roller mounted for rotation on said driving element, a bearer disposed to contact said last mentioned roller to rotate the same as said driving element is moved, and a driving belt trained over said last mentioneed roller and said sheet engaging roller. 7

18. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, a slide, a slide block supported for movement therein, a roller mounted for rotation in said slide block, a connecting rod having the opposite ends thereof in pivotable connection with said driving element and said slide block respectively, a roller mounted for rotation on said driving element in axial alinement With the pivotal axis of the adjacent end of said connecting rod, a bearer disposed to contact said roller to rotate the roller as said driving element is moved, and driving belt trained over said last mentioneed roller and said sheet engaging roller.

19. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, a slide disposed on one side of the plane of said driving element, a slide block supported for movement therein, a sheet engaging roller mounted for rotation in said slide block and extending from said slide block in a direction away from the plane of said driving element, a transverse rod structure mounted on said driving element and extending from said one side there of, a connecting rod having the opposite ends thereof pivotally mounted on said transverse rod and said slide block respectively, a roller mounted for rotation on said transverse rod structure between said driv ing element and said connecting rod, a bearer disposed to contact said last mentioned roller to rotate the same as said driving element is moved, and a driving belt trained over said last mentioned rolle" and said sheet engaging roller.

20. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, a transverse rod structure mounted for reciprocal movement and disposed at one side of the plane of said driving element, a second transverse rod structure mounted on said driving element and extending therefrom on said one side of the plane of the same, a connecting element in operative connection with said transverse rod structures to establish a driving connection therebetween, and sheet supporting tapes mounted on and extending between said transverse rod structures.

21. In a sheet carrier, 2. driving element moving in a closed path, a slide disposed on one side of the plane of said'driving element, a slide block supported for movement therein, a transverse rod structure mounted on said driving element and extending from said one side of the plane of the same, a second transverse rod structure mounted on said slide block and extending therefrom away from the plane of said driving element, sheet supporting tapes carried by and extending between said transverse rod structures, and a connecting rod having the opposite ends thereof pivotally' connected to respective of said transverse rod structures.

22. In a sheet carrier, a horizontally disposed sheet deflecting roller, reciprocating in a lateral direction, and an endless belt element loosely encircling said roller and carried by said roller and hanging downwardly therefrom.

23. In a sheet carrier, a horizontally disposed sheet deflecting roller having annular grooves formed therein at intervals along the length of the same and reciprocating in a lateral direction, and endless belt elements loosely encircling said roller and disposed in respective of said grooves and hanging downwardly therefrom.

2 1. In a sheet carrier, a reciprocating sheet engaging means adapted for engagement with a carried sheet, means for causing movement of said means and the carried sheet relatively to one another, and yieldable means adapted for engagement with that portion-of the sheet which has been engaged by said sheet engaging means and adapted to adjust said portion away from said sheet engaging means.

In a sheet carrier, means for holding the leading edge of a sheet, deflecting means engageable with the held sheet inwardly of said holding means, mechanism for causing movement of one of said means relatively to the other to cause the said deflecting .means to invert the sheet, and yieldable means disposed to engage the deflected portion of the sheet and adapted to adjust said deflected portion of the sheet away from said deflecting means. 7

26. In a sheet carrier,'means for holding the leading edge of a sheet, deflecting means movable in a cyclical path outwardly of said holding means, mechanism for driving said deflecting means and for causing said holding means and said deflecting means to turn about each other at the inner portion of said path, and yieldable means movable in a similar path and driven by said mechanism and disposed to engage the deflected portion of the sheet and adapted to adjust said deflected portion of the sheet out of the path of said deflecting means.

27. In a sheet carrier, two horizontally disposed spaced transverse rod structures,

endless belt tape elements trained about said rod structures, tape portions having one end thereof attached to respective of said endless belt elements on the upper stretch thereof andtrained over one of said rod structures and having the other ends thereof hanging therefrom, and means engageable with said endless belt elements to prevent movement thereof about said rod structures.

28. In a sheet carrier, two horizontally disposed spaced transverse rod structures, endless belt tape elements trained about said rod structures, tape portions having one end thereof attached to respective of said endless belt elements on the upper stretch thereof and trained over one of said rod structures and having the other ends thereof hanging therefrom, and means engageable with the opposite stretches of said end less belt elements toprevent movement thereof about said rod structures, said means being constructed to permit adjustment of said endless belt elements to vary the length of the hanging portions of said tape portions.

29. In a sheet carrier, a movable supporting structure disposed transversely of the line of movement a plurality of gripper mechanisms disposed at intervals along said supporting structure and having the gripping elements thereof disposed above said supporting structure, and supported sheet guide elements disposed longitudinally of the line of travel and disposed between adjacent grippers 7 above said supporting structure and below said, gripping elements.

30. In a sheet carrier, a movable supporting structure disposed transversely of the line of movement, a plurality of gripper mechanisms disposed at intervals along said supporting structure and having thegripping elements thereof disposed above said su) )ortiu structure sheet uide elements disposed longitudinally of the line of travel and disposed between adjacent grippers above said supporting structure and below said gripping elements, and means for controlling said grippersdisposed below said for adjustment longitudinally of elements disposed longitudinally of the line of travel and disposed between adjacent grippers above said supporting structure and below said gripping elements, and means for controlling said grippers and supported by said supporting structure and disposed below said sheet guide elements.

32. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism adapted to engage a sheet and moving in a defined path, a carriage adjustable along the line of travel of said gripper mechanism, means mounted on said carriage and engageable with said gripper mechanism to cause the sheet to be released, and sheet stops engageable with the released sheet mounted on said carriage and movable with said means.

33. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism adapted to engage a sheet and moving in a defined path, means engageable with said gripper mechanism to actuate the same to release the sheet and adjustable along the line of travel of said gripper mechanism, sheet stops engageable with the released sheet and adjustable along the line of travel of said gripper mechanism, and means in connection with said first mentioned means and said sheet stops adapted to maintain the same in proper relation with each other in all the adjustments thereof.

34. In a sheet carrier, a receiving table, a stationary sheet stop extending upwardly therefrom, and a yieldable sheet stop extending upwardly from said stationary sheet stop and disposed to be initially engaged by a moving sheet and responsive to the momentum thereof to gradually overcome the same and adapted to bring the same into proper relation with said stationary sheet stop after said momentum is overcome and as said sheet drops upon said receiving table.

35. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper structure mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, a gripper element movably mounted on said gripper structure andadapted to cooperate therewith to grip a sheet, and means mounted on said supportingqstructure and engaging said gripper structure to prevent rotarial movement of said gripper structure about said supporting structure.

36. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper structure mounted thereon said 'supporting structure, a gripper element mova-bly mounted thereon and adapted to co operate therewith to grip a sheet, and means for controlling said movable gripper element in the various adjustments of said gripper structure along said supporting structure.

37. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper mechanism mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, arock shaft disposed in structure ture, a gripper I gripper mechanism,

parallelism with said supporting structure and j ournaled in the structure of said gripper mechanism, and means mounted on said rock shaft and adjustable along the same for effecting the control of said gripper mechanism in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanism along said supporting by the pivotal movement of said rock shaft.

38. In a sheet carrier, a supporting strucmechanism mounted thereon for ad ustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, a gripper mechanism mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, a rock shaft pivotally mounted on said supporting structure and disposed in with, and means mounted on said rock shaft and adjustable along said rock shaft for effecting the control of said gripper mechanism in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanism along said supporting structure by the pivotal movement of said rock shaft.

39. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper mechanism mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, a rock shaft pivotally mounted on said supporting structure and disposed in parallelism therewith and journaled in the structure of said gripper mechanism, and means mounted on said rock shaft and adjustable along the same for effecting the control of said gripper mechanism in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanism along said supporting structure by the pivotal movement of said rock shaft.

40. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper mechanism mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, a movable gripper element included in said gripper mechanism, a means for efiecting the closing movement of said gripper element included in said a rock shaft disposed in parallelism with said supporting structure, and means mounted on said rock shaft and adjustable along the same for effecting the opening movement of said gripper element in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanism when said rock shaft is rotated in one direction.

41. In a sheet carrier, a plurality of spaced gripper mechanisms disposed transversely of the line of travel of a sheet and adapted to engage the leading edge thereof, a sheet supporting means having a number of sheet supporting surfaces disposed in different levels relatively to said gripper mechanisms and disposed to guide the leading edge of the sheet into said grippers in an undulated form, and means for actuating said gripper mechanisms to grip said leading edge in its undulated form.

parallelism there- 42. In a sheet carrier, a plurality of spaced gripper mechanisms disposedtransversely of the line of travel of a sheet and adapted to engage the leading edge thereof, the gripping points of said gripper mechanisms being disposed in dilferent levels relatively to the line of travel of the sheet to cause the leading edge of the sheet to assume an undulated form when engaged thereby, and means for guiding the leading edge of the sheet into said gripper mechanisms to be engaged thereby.

43. In a sheet carrier, a sheet stop disposed in the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engaged by the advancing edge thereof, said sheet stop being yieldable in the direction of movement of the sheet and adapted to be moved in such direction by the momentum of the sheet and adapted to assume its normal position when the momentum of the sheet is spent.

4:4. In a sheet carrier, a stationary structure, a sheet stop having the lower end thereof mounted in said structure and having the upper end thereof disposed in the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engaged by the advancing edge thereof and yieldable in the direction of movement of the sheet and adapted to be moved in such direction by the momentum of the moving sheet and adapted to assume its normal position when the momentum of the moving sheet is spent. 7 1

45. In a sheet carrier, a sheet stop pivoted inwardly of one end to move in the direction of travel of a sheet and having said one end disposed in the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engaged bythe advancing edge thereof, said sheet stop being so constructed that the gravital tendency thereof tends to move said end in a direction opposite'to that of the moving sheet and adapted to be moved out of said position by the momentum of the moving sheet and adapted to assume its normal position when the momentum of the sheet is spent.

46. ,In a sheet carrier, a vertical sheet stop 7 having the upper end disposed in the path of a movingsheet and adapted to be engaged by the advancing edge thereof and having the lower end pivoted to allow movement of the upper end thereof in the direction of travel of the sheet, said pivot being d1sposed on the side of said sheet stop opposite that which is engaged by the sheet, and means for limiting the movement of said sheet stop in a direction opposite that of the sheet.

47. In a sheet carrier, a vertical sheet stop having the upper end disposed in the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engaged by the advancing edge thereof and having the lower end pivoted to allow movement of the upper end thereof in the direction of travel of the sheet, said pivot being disposed on the side of said sheet stop opposite that which is engaged by the sheet, and means for limiting the movement of said sheet stop in a direction opposite that of the sheet, and a second mean for limiting the movement of said sheet stop in the direction of the sheet.

48. In, a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closed path outwardly and inwardly, means for holding the leading edge 'of the sheet in driven relatlon with said chain element and movable in a similar path, a deflecting means movable outwardly and inwardly in a path disposed outwardly of said holding means and having the inner end of its path disposed within the path of said holding means, and a connecting element in operable connection with said chain element and said defiecting means to establish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting element being connected with said chain to move said second mentioned means in a direction opposite the corresponding movements of said first mentioned means when said chain element is movable, and adjustment mechanism included in said connecting element adapted to be adjusted to vary the disposition of the path of said deflecting means relatively to the path of said holding means.

L9. In a sheet carrier, two spaced driving elements moving in parallel paths and having laterally disposed recesses at corresponding points thereon at least one of said recesses being of irregular cross section, said recesses extending in directions toward one another and having the openings thereof facing in opposite directions, a supporting structure extending across the space between said driving elements and having the ends thereof corresponding in cross section with the respective recesses and disposed within respective of said recesses, and gripper mechanism mounted on said supporting structure.

50. In a sheet carrier, two spaced driving copies of thin patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the chains supported and moving in parallel paths, a chain block included in each chain, said chain blocks being disposed at corresponding points on their respective chains and having laterally disposed recesses formed therein extending in directions toward one another and having the openings thereof facing in opposite directions at least one of said recesses being of irregular cross section, a supporting structure extending across the space between the said chains and having the ends thereof corresponding in cross section with the respective recesses and disposed within respective of said recesses, gripper mechanisms mounted on said supporting structures, a laterally extending chain block in each chain disposed on the opposite side thereof relatively to the respective recessed block and adjacent thereto, and a bearer for each extended chain block facing oppositely to the opening of the recess of the recessed block of the respective chain.

51. In a sheet carrier, two spaced driving elements moving in parallel paths and having laterally disposed recesses of irregular cross section at corresponding points thereon, and recesses extending in directions toward one another and having the openings thereof facing in opposite directions, at least one of said recesses being of irregular cross section, a supporting structure extending across the space between said driving elements and having their ends corre sponding in cross section with the respective recesses and disposed within respective of said recesses, gripper mechanism mounted on said supporting structures, a rock shaft mounted on said supported structure and in controlling relation with said gripper mechanism, and an actuating arm mounted on said rock shaft.

In witness whereof I have hereunto aflixed my; signature this 20th day of Feb., A. D. 19 8.

' ROBERT MIEHLE.

"Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.