US2245818A - Manifolding device - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-$11991l 1 Filed May 5, 1939 N ln . .June'17, 1941. w. c. PFElr-'r-ER MANIFOLDING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1939 wie June 17, 1941. w. c. PFEIFFER' MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1939 JWM/401 WILLIAM C. PFEIFFER.

`lune 17, 1941. w. c. PFEIFFER MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed May', 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WILLIAM L. Pfr/mw,

' printed.

Patented .June 11, '1941 v 2,245,818 momma nsvrcs William C. Pfeier, Dayton, Ohio, signor to The Em Register ration of Ohio Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corpo- Appuaon May s, ma, serai no. 271,979

` 1s calmi. (ci. :i1- 2.1)

This invention relates to a manifolding'machine and more particularly to such a manifolding machine which is adapted to be used as an attachment to a printing or typing machine in order to produce a multiple number of .copies oi' the material being printed or typed. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a manifolding attachment which is provided with means for feeding the duplicate sheets embodying pins which are adapted to engage with elongated slots in an untyped or unprinted portion of the sheets, and to such a device wherein the feeding means is laterally adjustable with respect to the sheets so that the feeding slots in the sheets may be located at any'desired lateral position on the sheets and so that the feeding pins may be adjusted to correspond with the location of the feeding slots in the particular sheets being In my copending application, Serial No. 259,395, led March 2, i939, I have disclosed a manifolding device which is of the same general type as the manifolding device of this invention and wherein the sheets are provided with spaced elongated apertures near or on the center line thereof, the feeding pins being disposed in a xed position in the center of the machine. This arrangement is in practice found to be disadvantageous since the rnacliine'is not versatile to take care of different requirements but is useable only with sheets which are apertured at their center. It is desirable to provide these sheets with apertures at any location laterally thereof. For example, it is frequently inconvenient to have the apertures in the center of the sheet because it is desired to print in the center. In many cases, it is desirable to have the feeding apertures located in a non-used section of the sheet and this nonused section is very often located at a considerabledistance from the center of the sheet. In other cases, it is desirable to have the apertures in line with a line on the sheet since it would not be customary or desirable to print on such aline. This line more frequently than not falls at 4a. substantial distance from the center of the sheet and, therefore, the device of my co-pending application referred to above is not applicable when the apertures are so located. It will be understood that when using feeding aperturesin the body of the sheet that these apertures are located in such position that they pass by an unused portion of the printing and typing machine with which the manifolding device is employed.

In order to allow the location of the feeding apertures at substantially any position laterally of the sheet, the present invention provides for lateral adjustment of the feeding pins with respect to the vmanifolding device.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a manifolding device adapted to be attached to a printing or typing machine, and provided with means for feeding a plurality of paper webs past the printing or typing position, this feeding means being laterally adjustable with respect to the machine.

Another object is to provide a manifolding device of the foregoing type wherein the feeding means engages a single row of spaced apertures.

Another object is to provide a manifolding device of the foregoing type wherein the feeding pins engage apertures disposed at any lateral position in the body of the sheets. said apertures being located in the generally central portion of the sheets.

Still another obiect is to provide a device of the foregoing type wherein the feeding means is alignedwith any-non-used portion of the typing or Aprinting machine. For example, typing or printing machines are commonly provided with spaced type bar guides between winch the type bars engage the original sheet. These type bar guides are of substantial width and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the feeding apertures in the sheets are vin alignment with one of these type bar guides, the feeding means being vsimilarly aligned. In this embodiment, the feeding means is laterally adjustable to a plurality of positions, each of which coincides with these type bar guides so that the apertures may be located in the sheets at practicallyany desired lateral position.

Stili another object is to provide a device of the foregoing typel wherein the chain carrying the' feeding pins is .provided with means for keeping it taut which means moves laterally with the feeding device.

Referring to the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of the manifolding device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l. looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of sheet forms which may be fed by the machine of the present invention. x

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line l-l of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is an elevation taken on the line -I of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the ar- NWS.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 'i'| of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a perspective showing the driving connection between the platen gear tand the feeding drive shaft.

General arrangement In general,v the manifolding device of this inl feed a plurality of paper webs, each web usually consisting of a series ot printed paper forms separated from one another by weakenin lines or perforations. The manifolding device of thel present invention employs duplicatingV ribbons,

such as carbon paper ribbons, interleaved between the paper webs and crossing the 1189er web transversely at the printing position. Mechanism for feeding the paper webs and carbon ribbons is synchronized with the operation of the main printing machine so that it operates in cooperation with the line spacing or ejection spacing movement of the platen of the main machine. and may be driven from this platen.

In the manifolding device of the present invention, the paper webs are advanced by a feeding mechanism. .which comprises a series of vertically disposed spaced fingers which engage' correspondingly shaped apertures disposed longitudinally of the sheets. The paper webs are provided with elongatedv apertures, preferably rectangular,

which are engaged by the feeding pins mounted.

at intervals along a single sprocket chain. The present machine also provides a contact structure whichv presses against the paper webs and maintains them in engagement with the feeding plus near the path of the webs where the feeding apertures are located. This contact structure may be moved away from the webs so as to facilitate the threading of the webs through the device. f

The feeding pins and chain', the contact structure, and the stripping drums are all mounted on a laterally adjustable carriage which is provided with stops causing the feeding pins to be in alignment with the gaps in the printing mech.. anism occasioned by the type bar guides. 'Ihus the mechanism is capable of lateral adjustment so that the feeding holes may be located atany lateral position on the sheets being printed.`

In my co-pending application above identined, the feeding pins are disposed so as to engage the center path of the webs and are not adjustable. The present invention provides means for ad- !usting the feeding pins laterally, therebyovercoming the disadvantages of the machine described in said application occasioned by the nonadiustability of the feeding pins.

Main printing machine construction The main printing machine to which the manifolding device of the present invention is attached forms no part of the present invention, and may be a tabulating machine, an adding machine, a typewriter, or any other suitable machine capable of printing a record. In the accompanying drawings, a manifolding device of this invention is shown as used in conjunction with a tabulating and listing machine. The mechanism thereof is beyond the scope of the .present disclosure except as its parts cooperate with the mechanism of a manlfolding device, such as the paper feeding mechanism. Referring to the drawings in detail, the main printing machine il has type bar guides Il engaging type bars (not shown) actuated by mechanism within the machine for printing records upon paper vwebs i2 by means of a fabric inking ribbon which prints the original. 'I'he machine II is provided with a rotatable platen Il, on which is mounted a platen gear i4 carried on the platen shaft i5. The platen gear ,Il Ls driven by gearing (not shown) contained within the main printing machinel Il and forming no part of the present invention. By reason of this gearing, the platen il is rotated at suitable times after a row of type has been printed so as to bring about a line spacing operation, or after a plurality of rows of type have been printed and a paper form completely filled out, bringing about an ejection spacing operation.

- It will be understood that in the present invention the gripping rolls ordinarily provided ben eath the platen I3 for holding the paper firmlypin engagement with the platen are released so that the paper webs slide loosely around the platen I3 and are not affected by'its rotation. Instead a feeding of the paper webs is accompllshed entirely by mechanism within the manifolding device itself. as will hereinafter appear.

The manifolding device of the present invention is mounted upon the tabulating machine il, the frame of which is provided with cross rods l1 and Il and with pivot bolts Il, upon which rest side members 20 of the manifolding device,v

the manlfolding device being pivotally rotatable about pivot bolts Il.

TheL-ahaped side members 2l are so disposed that portion 2| proiects rearwardly and surrounds pivot bolts Il while portion 22 is vertically disposed and carries. the apparatus of the present invention.

The several webs l2 are fed around platen il, at which point' there is interleaved between them carbon paper ribbons 2l. When the type bars are manipulated into engagement with platen I3, they operate to form an original copy by means yof the usual fabric ribbon (not shown) used outwardly of the web assembly, and make the carbon copies by reason of these interleaved paper ribbons 23.4 It will .be understood that instead of using paper ribbons which are employed only a single time and are then discarded, the usual cloth ribbons employed a number of times may be utilized. These ribbons 2l are fed transversely between the paper webs l! at the printing position. The details. of the mechanism by which they are fed past the printing position form no part of the present invention and a complete disclosure thereof may be found in my copending. application Serial No. 258,014 nled February 23, 1,939. For purposes of the present disclosure, it will suilice to state that the ribbons 23 are fed in syncbronism with the linefeeding and ejecting-feeding mechanism of the main printing machine in such manner that the ribbons are fed a predetermined amount for a line spacing operation and a greater amount for an ejection spacing operation.

The side members 25 are maintained in the proper stationary position by rods 24, 25, and 26 which are held in engagement with members 22 by screws 21 passing through members 22 .cation Serial No. 258,014 above-identified.

Likewise disposed laterally of the machine between supports 22 is a rotatable shaft 52 which drives the paper feeding mechanism of this invention in synchronism with the spacing operations accomplished by platen gear I4.

Shaft 32 is driven by gearing designated generally as 55 (see Figure 9) connecting it with platen gear I4 so that the paper webs I2 will be fed in accordance with the spacing provided by printing machine I5,

Slidably mounted on feeding drive shaft 52 is a feeding sprocket 54 which cooperates with sprocket 35 disposed vertically thereabove to support the i'eed sprocket chain 35 which passes therearound. Feed sprocket 54 is mounted upon a steel bushing 51 which is slidably keyed on shaft 52 by feather key 35 which is attached to the hub of sprocket 54 and is slidable with respect to keyway 55 in shaft 52. If desired, instead of keying, suitable spiining may be employed to cause sprocket 54 to be driven by shaft 32. Alternatively, two or more feather keys may be provided to reduce the axial force required to move the sprocket along shaft 52. Bronze bushings 55a at either side of sprocket 34 slidingly engage the surface of shaft 52. These bushings are carried in side frame members 45 which are parallelly disposed vertically. Frame members 45 surround each oi' shafts 24, 25, 25, 25 and 52. Bronze bushings 4I are provided in side members 45 for sliding engagement with shaft 25. within side members 40 for sliding engagement with rod 25. Bronze sleeve 45 is similarly provided for sliding engagement with rod 25. Bronze sleeve 44 is provided for sliding engagement with rod 24.

Fixedly surrounding rods 25 and 25 are additional braces 45 which at their lower ends surround rotatable shaft 25. These members 45 lend additional support' to the machine and to shaft 25.

At the top of vertical members 45, there is I disposed in the slots formed by ears 51 a fixed lateral tie rod 45, which passesthrough sprocket 35 and upon which are rotatably mounted drums "which guide the upfed webs i2 around to tho rear of the machine and strip them from sprocket chain 35. Rod 45 is fixedly held in end frame members 45 vby screws 11 and 11a. End

members 45 are integral with the inclined arms of yoke member 40 located lust in the rear of sprocket chain 55 (see Figures 1 and 2). Yoke 49 is connected to dat ears 55 which are integral with opstanding side members 45.

Shaft 33a is driven'by a motor` Bronze sleeve 42 is provided side frame members 45, the sprockets 54 and 55 and drums 41 with their associated supporting mechanism are all laterally slidable with respect to the machine.

In order to locate this slidable carriage and feeding device in a xed position, rod 25 is provided With a series of circumferential parallel slots 5I which are located with respect to type bar guides II so that sprocket chain 35 will a1- ways be in alignment with and opposite a type bar guide II. U-shaped locking members 52 are provided which are disposed inthe appropriate slots 5I at the ends of bronze sleeve 43 (see Fi8-` ure 7) and when it is desired to position the\ feeding device, locking members 52 are manually removed, the feeding carriage is slid manually to the right or to the left, as desired, to the appropriate position whereupon locking members 52 are replaced in slots 5I. Thus, the operator is enabled to locate the feeding carriage proper' ly with respect to the webs I2 being acted upon by the printing machine I0.

Sprocket 55 is provided with an internal bronze bushing 53 which is mounted in a U-shaped member 54. A spring 55 presses against a iower portion 55 of this U-shaped member 54 and against the .top of bronze sleeve 44, thereby maintaining sprocket chain 55 always taut, since clearance is provided in bushing 55 around fixed tie rOd 45.

In order to hold vertical feeder frame members 45 in fixed relation with respect to one another, lateral bolts 55 and spacers 59 are provided. U.shaped member 54 is provided with downwardly extending leg members 55 which surround sleeve 44 and with side members 4'5 form an enclosure for spring 55 and are adapted to slide up and. down with respect to sleeve 44.

Sprocket chain 35 is provided with fingers 5I which are spaced at appropriate intervals to cooperate with the vertically disposed feeding slots 52 cut in webs I2. These fingers 5I comprise a horizontal portion 53 and an angular portion 54. The point 55 formed by these sides 55 and 54 is adapted to enter the rectangular apertures 52 of the webs I2 and to thereby feed the web upwardly. In Figure 2, two of these fingers 5I are shown in engagement with webs I2.

Disposed roughly parallel to the webs I2 and forwardly of the sprocket chain 35, there is provided a paper bailgenerally designated 55 for holding the sheets I2 in engagement with the feeding lingers 5I. This bail 55 comprises a horizontal portion 55 which depends from end supports 45 by means of integral members 51.

' Fixedly attached to members 55 are vertical bail members 55 which comprise a straight portion 55 and an anouate portion 15 which is substantially concentric with drums 41. Flxedly attached to the lower portions of members 55 is another horizontal bail member 1I.

The bail assembly just described is rotatable vertically about shaft 45 in order to allow for threading of the paper webs I2 around sprocket chain 55 and stripping drums 41.. This is accomplished by having the bail assemblyv pivotally supported from rod 45 -by arms 51. Fixedly attached to one end of bail member 55 is an auxiliary member 12 which is generally circular in configuration and which pivotally engages rod 45. This member 12 is provided with peripheral notches 1 2 and 14. A detent 15 is urged into engagement with notches 'I5 and 14 by a springv 15 which is attached to rod 45 by screw 11a and As a result of the foregoing construction, the 7 5 has its other end encircling detent 15. Detent 1l is mounted on a pivoted arm 1l which is piv-'I fixed stud 1lb mounted on pivoted arm 18 and 1 engages an outwardly turned ear lic on circular member 12, thereby providing an adjustable stop to limit the downward movement of bail II towards the sheets i2. This screw a is normally so adjusted that detent 15 engages the upper portion of notch 14. l

As will be undestood as webs I! are fed upwardly by fingers Il around drums 41, they are stripped from the feeding fingers 8l by drums 41 and thence pass into a tray or other receptacle provided at the proper position at the rear of the machine.

The mode of operation of the machine will be obvious from the foregoing description. For the sake of completeness, however, it is pointed out that bail assembly 80 will rst be swung up out of operative position into the threading position and the webs i2 will be threaded in ensagement with feeding-pins Il and drums 41 whereupon bail assembly Il will be lowered to the operative position and the machine is ready for operation. Ready adjustment of the feeding carriage laterally of the machine is obtained by means of locking members l2 and slots Il. As previously explained, slots Il are disposed apart from each other at the same distances as the type bar guides Il so that the apertures 8! in the sheets i2 may be located at a point where normally no printing would occur.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the versatility of the machine of the present invention. In Figure 3. there is portrayed a sheet I2 which has the rectangular slots B2 disposed well from the center thereof and in alignment with a vertical line of the sheet. 'Ihis location of the holes l2 interferes with the utility of the blank l! to the least possible extent. In Figure 4 there is shown a web l2 wherein the perforations i! are disposed well on the other sideof the center of the web. In .this instance, perforations 62 are located in a narrow column especially provided for thev purpose.

It will be understood that the lateral adjustment of the feeding device of the present invention makes possible the location of the feeding apertures 82 in practically any position desired and thus greatly increases the versatility of the manifolding machine. In this way. the location of the feeding apertures may be varied to suit the particular blanks at hand. These advantages are obtained without sacrificing any of the advantages of the machines set forth in my copend-ing applications identified herein.

It is to be understood that I intend to comprehend as within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with a record printing` machine, means for lfeeding a plurali-ty of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating apex-.ture in the sheets being fed and to move said sheets therewith, said feeding means being adjustable laterally with respect to said sheets in a plurality of predetermined laterally spaced positions of lateral adjustment, spacer means determining said predetermined positions, and meanscooperating with said spacer means for locking said feeding means in any of said positions of adjustment.

2. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with a record printing machine, means for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in the sheets being fed and to move said sheets therewith, and means adapted to allow adjustment of the lateral position or said feeding means with respect to said sheets comprising laterally stationary means having a plurality of locking means formed thereon and laterally spaced thereon and upon which said feeding means is laterally slidabie, and means selectively engageable with and disengageable from said locking means for locking said feeding means to or unlocking it from any one of said locking means.

3. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with a record printing machine having laterally spaced type bar guides, means for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in the sheets being fed and to move said sheets therewith, said feeding finger being laterally adjustable witnrespect to said sheets and being lockable in a plurality of predetermined laterally spaced positions of lateral adjustment, and means allowing locking of said feeding finger laterally only when said feeding finger is in alignment with said type bar guides.

4. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with a record printing machine having laterally spaced type bar guides,

means for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in the sheets being fed and to move said sheets therewith. and having means for allowing adjustment of the lateral position of said feeding means with respect to said sheets comprising a stationary rod non-rotatably fixed in the frame of the mani- -folding machine and having a plurality of independent annular locking recesses laterally spaced thereon in such position with respect to said type .bar guides that when said feeding means is locked to one of said recesses said feeding finger is in alignment with one of said type bar guides,

said feeding means being laterally slidable onV said rod and having means for locking said feeding means to any one of said locking recesses.

5. In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame, means supported thereby for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets and comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed, means laterally stationary with respect to said frame and with respect to which said feeding means is laterally slidable, a plurality of laterally spaced means on said stationary means, and means adapted selectively to engage and disengage said spaced means for locking said feeding means to or unlocking it from any one of said laterally spaced means.

6. In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame, means supported thereby for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets and comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed, stationary means non-rotatably fixed to said frame and with respect to which said feeding means is laterally slidable, atplurality of independent laterally spaced` projections on said stationary means, a sleeve xedly secured to said feeding means and surrounding said stationary means, and means associated with said sleeve engaging said projections for preventing any lateral adjustment of said sleeve and thereby said feeding means.

7. In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame, means supported thereby for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets and comprising a finger adapted to engage a cooperating aper ture in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed, means stationary with respect to said frame and with respect to which said feeding means is laterally slidable, a plurality of laterally spaced projections on said stationary means, a

sleeve fixedly secured to said feeding means and surrounding said stationary means, and a U- shaped locking -member at each end of said sleeve engaging said projections and locking said sleeve to said stationary means at the desired spaced position of lateral adjustment.

8. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with a record printing machine having a plurality of laterally disposed and spaced type bar guides, means for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding nger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed, means adapted to allow adjustment of said feeding means laterally, laterally stationary means, a plurality of laterally spaced locking means thereon so disposed laterally that when said feeding means is locked thereto, said feeding finger will Abe in alignment with one of said type bar guides, and means allowing locking of said feeding means to any of said locking means only with said feeding finger in alignment with one of said type bar guides.

9. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with arecord printing machine having a plurality of laterally disposed and spaced type bar guides, means for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding nger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed, laterally extending non-rotatable means with respect to which said feeding means is laterally slidable, a plurality of projections on said non-rotatable means spaced laterally at the same distance apart as said type bar guides and stationary means and fixedly secured to' said feeding means, and a locking member at each end of said sleeve engaging one of said projections for so locking said feeding means.

11. In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame having side frame members and lateral so laterally disposed thatwhen said feeding.-

means is locked relative thereto said feeding finger will be in alignment with one ofsaid type bar guides, and means for so locking said feeding means to said' projections and for thereby locking said feeding nger in alignment with one of said type bar guides.

10. In a manifolding machine adapted to be employed in association with a record printing machine having a plurality of laterally disposed and spaced type bar guides, means for feeding a plurality of superimposed sheets comprising a feeding finger adapted to engage a cooperating aperture in a plurality of superimposed sheets 'being fed, laterally extending stationary means non-rotatably fixed to the frame of the manifolding machine and with respect to which means disposed therebetween, a. carriage laterally slidably adjustably mounted on said lateral means, means -for locking said carriage in any one ofa plurality of predetermined laterally spaced positions of lateral adjustment, feeding means adjusts-bly mounted on said carriage comprising two sprockets one of which is a drive sprocket and the other of whichV is a driven sprocket and a feeding chain carried thereby having extending spaced fingers and adapted to present said kfingers in engagement with cooperating longitudinally spaced apertures in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed thereby, and yielding means interposed .between said carriage and said driven sprocket for continuously urging said `proclret away from said driving sprocket and thereby maintaining said chain taut, said yielding means being mounted on said carriage and slidable therewith.

12. In la manifolding machine, a supporting frame having sideframe members and lateral means disposed therebetween, a carriage laterally slidably adjustably Amounted on'said latsprockets, one of which is a drivesprocket and.

the other of which is a driven sprocket and a feeding chain carried thereby having extending spaced fingersvand adapted to .present said iingers in engagement with cooperating longitudinally spaced apertures in a vplurality of superimposed sheets being fed thereby, and a fixed rod passing through said driven sprocket and carrying freely rotatable drums of larger diameter than said sprocket which are adapted to guide said sheets and strip them from said feeding lingers, said rod and drumsfbeing mounted on said carriage and slidable therewith.

13; In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame having'side .frame members and lateral means disposed therebetween, a carriage laterally slidably adjustably mounted on said lateral means, means for locking said carriage in any one of a plurality of predetermined laterally spaced positions of lateral adjustment, feeding means mounted on said carriage comprising two sprockets, one of which is` a drive sprocket and the other of which is a driven` sprocket and a feeding chain carried thereby having extending spaced fingers/and adapted to present said fingers in engagement with cooperating longitudinally spaced apertures in a .plurality of supersprocket being yieldingly mounted with respect to said driving sprocket.

14. In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame having side frame members and lateral means disposed therebetween, a carriage laterally slidably adjustably mounted on said lateral means, means for locking said carriage in any one of a plurality of predetermined laterally spaced positions of lateral adjustment, feeding means mounted on said carriage comprising two sprockets, one of which is a drive sprocket and the other of which is a driven sprocket and a feeding chain carried thereby having extending spaced fingers and adapted to present said fingers in engagement-with cooperating longitudinally spaced apertures in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed thereby, a fixed rod passing through said driven sprocket and carrying freely rotatable drums of larger diameter than said sprocket which are adapted to guide said sheets and strip them from said feeding fingers, said rod and drums being mounted on said carriage and slidable therewith, and yielding means interposed between said carriage and said driven sprocket and slidable with said carriage for pushing chain having spaced feeding fingers adapted to engage cooperating longitudinally spaced apertures in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed thereby, a fixed rod mounted on said carriage and carrying freely rotatable drums adapted to guide said sheets and strip them from said lingers, bail means pivotally supported about said rod for holding said sheets in engagement with said iingers, and means for locking said bail means in a position in which it holds said sheets in engagement with said iingers.

l18. In a manifolding machine, a supporting frame` comprising side frame members and lateral means therebetween, a carriage laterally adjustably slidable on said lateral means, means -for locking said carriage in any one of a plurality .of predetermined laterally spaced positions of lateral adjustment, feeding means mounted on said carriage and comprising a feeding chain having spaced feeding fingers adapted lto engage cooperating longitudinally spaced apertures in a plurality of superimposed sheets being fed thereby, a fixed rod mounted on said carriageA and carrying freely rotatable drums adapted to guide said sheets and strip them from said iingers, bail means pivotally supported about said rod for holding said sheets in engagement with said fingers, means for locking said bail means either in a position in which it holds said sheets in engagement with said fingers or in a position where it enables threading of said sheets along said fingers and around said drums.

WILLIAM C. PFEIFFER.

Images