US2617647A

US2617647A - Paper-handling machinery

Info

Publication number: US2617647A
Application number: US87323A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth M Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-03-24
Filing date: 1949-03-24
Publication date: 1952-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1969-11-11

Description

NOV. 11, 1952 DAVls 2,617,647

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet l Kenneth M. Dd via mm. \m

' i 1 fflldfimummurjmw PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 4 3 Kenneth/W. D4

ll Sheets-Sheet 2 mac/Mom v ATTOR N EY NOV. 11, 1952 K -M, DAVIS 2,617,647

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 11 Shets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR.

qfennefh MUM/,4,

Nov. '11, 1952 K. M; DAVIS 2,617,647

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 $7 I ea 3 gwue/wtm Ken neth M. Davis 8% WWW.

ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1952 K. M. DAVIS 2,617,647

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Kenna fh M De; vile ATTOR N EY Nov. 11, 1952 K. M. DAVIS 2,617,647

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Fil ed March 24, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTOR N EY K. M. DAVIS PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

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Nov. 11, 1952 K. M. DAVIS PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 24, 1949 l l l I Kenneth Nov. 11, 1952 K. M. DAVIS PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 24, 1949 Kennath M Dd. vi

ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1952 DAVIS 2,617,647

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Filed March 24, 1949 ll SheetsrSheet 10 HVVENTUR.

Kenna H7 M Di: viz

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF 2,617,647 I C E 2,617,647 PAPER-HANDLING MACHINERY Kenneth M. Davis, Washington, D. 0. Application March 24, 1949, Serial No. 87,323

I 11 Claims. (01. 270-59) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 30, 1928 (ch. 460. 45 Stat. L. 4.67). i

This invention relates to paper handling machinery, generally, and, specifically, to means adapted for attachment to a standard sheetfolding machine to effect the stacking of two or more sheets-usually in multiple folded or signature form-prior to the final folding operation so that the latter, in effect, results in the insertion or folding in of one signature inside another.

An object of the invention is to provide attachment means of the kind indicated which effect the stacking and insertion functions described during the uninterrupted course and without modification of the folding operations of the machine. v

Another object is to provide such means adapted to be readily attached to a folding machine and as readily removed therefrom when the stacking required. v

Another object is to provide means for stacking sheets or signatures in such fashion as to avoid the trapping of air therebetween and the displacement and wrinkling of paper and jamming of machinery that result from such trapping of air.

Another object is to provide means of the character indicated for stacking sheets in continuous succession from a single line of advancing sheets, and also for stacking sheets in alternating relation from a double line of advancing sheets.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel switch means for effecting automatically the assembling of paper sheets or signatures, as described.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

and insertion operations are not switch and related means of the present invention associated therewith; v

Figure 6 is a view taken on the line 65 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is adetail view, with parts broken away, on the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of sheet-stacking apparatus of the invention associated with a sheet-carrying table, the latter shown frag- ,mentally.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the solenoid-actuated stop or gate unit forming part of this invention.

Figure 11 is a fragmental conventional view of one of the paper-folding stages or sections of a buckle-fold type machine, showing the progress the of a sheet through one folding operation, includ- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a I present invention associated therewith for carrying out the same sequence of operations as in Figure 1, the machine proper being shown somewhat conventionally and partly in cross section.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the use of the invention as employed for stacking sheets in staggered or alternate relation from a double line of advancing sheets.

Figure 4. is a top plan view similar to Figure 2, but showing the attachment means for stacking from a double line of advancing sheets.

Figure 5 is a fragmental top plan view of a sheet-carrying table forming part of a paper folding machine and having a sheet-actuated ing its movement from one level'to the next.

Figure 12 is a detail, top plan view of a sheetmoving or rotor unit, of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional View on the line |3--l3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view taken on the line M-M of Figure 12.

Figure 1-5 is a plan view showing a selector switch assembly of the present invention shown in open position.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the switch in closed position.

Figure 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a portion of the selector switch showing the contact points in closed position, as in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a front view of the pawl and ratchet and the associated contact elements dis- {closed in the preceding three figures.

Figures 19 and 20 are detail perspective views showing the contact members of the actuator switch in closed and open position, respectively.

Figure 21 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit employed in the present invention.

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view on line 22-22 of Figure 4.

Paper folding machines, as at present generally used, are either of the buckle-fold or the knife-fold type. The buckle-fold machine operates on the principle of passing a sheet of paper through a series of rollers and, at one point, causing the sheet to buckle intermediate its length, at which points the pape-r is nipped or engaged by a succeeding pair of rollers and thus folded. This folding operation may be repeated two or three times at 'a given stage or fold section of the machine before being carried on to another similar stage or section. In the knifefold type of machine, the folding operation is effected by a knife member, which descends across an intermediate portion of a sheet and introduces the same into position between a pair of rollers for folding the sheet.

'Ine. presentinvention may be used with other types of machine, but is illustrated herein as anplied to the buckle-fold type, for example, the Cleveland Model-K Folder. The principal elements and operations of this machine, as they are related to the present invention, will first be disclosed. V

The machine comprises an initialtable or carrying section l which is provided with aseries of diagonally-disposed rollers 2 rotated in a common direction by suitable means not shown. The table I has a guide bar 3 disposed thereon immediately above the rollers 2. Said bar serves as a contact for one side edge of each sheet 4 of paper disposed on the rollers 2. The sheets 4 are advanced toward a folding section indicated generally at A where, as illustrated herein, each sheet is folded once and then passed on downwardly to a succeeding carrying table disposed at right angles with the table I. Figure 11 indicates conventionally one of the fold sections, such as section A, comprising a vertically-related series of

rollers

5, 6, 8, 9, II], II, and I2 whose directions of rotation are indicated by the small arrows associated therewith.

A sheet of paper, indicated at I3, is shown as entering between the top pair of rollers 5 and 6, as at I4. From here the sheet proceeds between rollers 6 and directed thereto by a defleeting member l5. Thereafter the sheet is projected into a space It between two plates l1 and I8 until the sheet abuts a stop member I9. The latter causes the sheet to buckle intermediate its ends and thebuckled portion is nipped or engaged by the

rollers

1 and 8 which advance the folded sheet downwardly between

rollers

8 and 9. Suitable deflecting members indicated at and 2| determine the course of the sheet into position for engagement by. the lowermost rollers 9 and Ill. These project the sheet into position between the small pair of rollers II and I2, which advance the sheet, as indicated by the arrow, along a suitable support 24 to a set of rotating discs or wheels 11 which complete the movement of the sheet onto a subsequent sheet-carrying table '25.

The sheets are in a like manner carried on table 25 to another folding section B similar to section A, above described, and thence to a third sheet-carrying table 3| from whence the folded sheet units or signatures are deposited on a suitable receiving table or platform 21.

The foregoing operations are common to buckle-fold machines generally and, inasmuch as these are well known, it will be unnecessary to further detail their make-up and operation except insofar as the present invention is cooperatively related thereto.

Reference is now made to Figures 1 and 2, illustrating the sequence of operations and the means employed where a series ofidentically printed sheets 4, such as blank or ruled sheets, is being run, and where, accordingly, the sheets may be stacked in successive order from a single'line of advancing sheets. Sheets 4 pass along table and through'the folding seciton A to the second sheet-carrying table 25, disposed at right angles to table On table 25 a guide bar 28, of the same character as the presently-known guide bar 3, is positioned, against which a lateral edge of the sheet 4, now folded in half, comes into contact. The diagonal rollers 29- (Fig. 2) .carry this sheet to the left as seenin Figures 1 and 2, and beneath a switch lever 30 to the next folding sectionB, from whence. each sheet, after a furtherfold, is' advanced to..the

third sheet-carrying table 3|, which'is also p'ro vided with a guide bar 35. On table 3|, accord-- ing to the present invention, a solenoid-oper-- ated stop unit 32 is positioned to block the advance of one sheet, indicated at 33, until one: or more subsequent sheets, such as sheet 34,. has been deposited thereon and moved into reg-- istration therewith. This blocking operation occurs when a sheet 4 passes beneath and clearsthe switch lever 30, whereupon the solenoid unit- 32 is de-energized and the stop returned to block-' ing position, as will be further described. The: stacking or deposit of a second sheet on top of the one held by the stop occurs at this interval. Then the switch lever 30 is contacted by a succeeding sheet 4 causing energizing of unit 32 and raising of the stop which permits the stacked sheets to pass on. After the passage of succeeding sheet 4 beyond the switch, the latter causes the stop unit 32 to return to blocking position.

After the desired number of sheets has been assembled at the stop unit 32, the latter releases the stacked sheets which pass as a unit to a third folding section C. The folded signature 36 is thereafter moved out onto the final receiving table or platform 21.

In greater detail, the means for carrying out the stacking and interfolding or insertion of sheets advanced in a single line, as in Figures 1 and 2, comprise the guide bars 28 and 35, suitably positioned just above their respective sheetcarrying tables 25 and 3|. Each guide bar has a vertical flange 31 (Fig. 7) and a horizontal flange 38, the outer edge portion of the latter being turned somewhat upwardly as indicated at 39 to obviate any interference therewith of a sheet advanced beneath the horizontal flange 38. The vertical flange 31, as indicated in Figure 6, is of scallop formation along its bottom edge to provide sheet-contacting extensions 313 depending between the diagonal rollers beneath. The horizontal flange 38 of guide bar 28 may be provided with flanged openings or sockets |2| in which small spherical weights, such as marbles 311 may be placed for hearing against and stabilizing the sheets as they are moved along the sheet-carrying rollers 29. It may be pointed out that the diagonal disposition of these and the other similar rollers shown is, in accordance with well-known practice, such as to actuate the sheets not only forwardly but somewhat laterally in the direction of the associated guide bar so that the sheets are moved and maintained in linear succession.

The guide bar 28 has associated therewith, adjacent the left-hand end, a support shaft 4| passing through a block 42 which is attached to the guide bar '28. For the double-line operation to be later described, shaft 4| and related parts are attached to guide bar 35. A set screw 43!! (Fig. 5) in the block 42 secures the latter to flange 31. A threaded wing bolt 44 in block 42 is adapted to be tightened against shaft 4| for securing the latter in adjusted positions. Shaft 4| has an arm 45 mounted at its outer end, for pivotal adjustment thereon as indicated at 46 (Fig. 5). An electrical switch unit 41 is mounted for longitudinal adjustment on arm 45 by means of a slotted top stud 48 through which arm 45 passes and into which a threaded bolt 49 enters for impingement against said arm. The switch lever 30, previously mentioned, is attached at one side of switch unit 41 (Figs. 5 and 6) and extends downwardly at a slant in the direction in which paper sheets pass therebeneath, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5 memes? Depending on the-size of; the. sheets, theiswitch unit. and. its lever'30'are, by the several adjustments described above, disposedin suitable position for contact androperation by the sheets; A characteristic position is showninFigure 5. The switch is electrically connected with the stop unit 32" for actuating: the same: and. the: details in; that relation willzbe described hereafter Reference: is. particularly made to; Figures 2, 4,

8, 9., andlOJin connectiOn'with;stopunit..32. The

guide bar 35 on table 3|, as already mentioned, is similar in form to guide bar 28 on table.:25 and is disposed just above the diagonal rollers; 591015 the secondsheet. carrying table 3.1. The, stop unit 32 is mountedon guide. bar 351 and is; shown as made up of a support arm 6Dv formedat one end with an extension 6Iv (Fig; slotted; as at 62 for slidably engaging vertical flange: 31 of said guide bar. A. set screw 63 in extension 61, is adapted to-bertightenedljagainst fiange.3.1 of'guide bar 35 for maintaining arm' 60 in longitudinallyadjustable vpositions relative to the? guide bar. Arm. 69; isnformed witha longitudinally extending. slot 64 (Fig; 8) for receiving; the threaded shanks, 65' and 6 6 ofapair of lugs,,61 and 68, respectively. Said: threaded shanks passupwardly, through a pair of lateral: brackets 69 and 10', secured to oppositesides of a cylindrical SOIBIlOldi unit 1 I havingv a closed top 12. Nuts 11.- and 1-8- engagerthe ends of threaded shanks. 65 and 66 and: bear against, said brackets. The solenoicli unit thus mounted: on; arm 6.9 is adjustable: longitudinally thereof, by; means: of; the slot and lug, connections described. A solenoid: arm;13 ispositioned. for verticalreciprocationinjzits; casing andicomprises: a threaded upper end projecting. outwardly of. casing: top:- 12" and; having; thereon a:pair of. nuts 14 and 15: (Fig; 10): foryadiustably limiting downe ward? projection of thessolenoidfarma Thetl'atter extends-through slot 63' of supportingiarmtfli and. has; secured? to? its; lower: end a. stop member 16 which; when: the solenoid: armimovesdownward 132;. issprojected' into, the space between twolofthe sheet=carryingz rollersv 59- for blocking, adv-ance of paper sheets,. as will; be.-f.'urther described.

As; illustrated inLFigures 1 and 2, a sheet of-v paper; is hel'dbiockedz by said stop: until a subsequent sheet is positioned'on the'und'er sheet. The second sheet is; initially deposited in partially overlying: relation. on the blocked sheet bymeans ofralsetiofrotating-discs or wheel's:18'-(Fi'g; 2)- on table225, butithe further movement of the" sheet into; fulli overlying relation with the: first sheet isxnot possibletthrough'. the medium of the'diagonalrollersi 5f9rsincethe latter-contact the top sheet" to. a limitedaextent'onlyl Consequently, it ismecessanysto provide 1 means for moving 'the -top sheet; into suchv position; For thisv purpose, the invention contemplates the use of rotor: units 19 and1892. These units are identical, so that descriptioniofione will'sufiice for: both. Inthisconnection, reference will bemade to Figures'SZRQ, 12,,13; and: 14'. Each unit. comprisesa support block 8|,slotted1as at 82 for receiving: thevertical 'flangeetfl ofguide bars35. Set screws 8311 held the blockremovably: in positionon said fiangel The-block. 912 is formed? with aniinterior recess 84 opening at thebottomofitheblock and communieating: with" the: top: thereof through a: restricted opening 85.. A. swivel. memberwflt is positioned inth'erecess 84, and comprises an extension 81 projecting through: the openingtfi This extension has anannular groove 86 for slidably. receiving positioned for rotational movement, and preeluded from vertical actuation in the. support block6I. A- set screw I03 projects through: block 8| into contact withextension 81 of .swiveLmeme ber, 86. for holding thelatter in selected positions;

Swivel. member 86 is recessed, as. at 9.0;, and through this recess there passes anelongated strip 9| having secured at its respective. ends a depending journal block, 92' and: 93, the former vertically slidable in: recess 99. The blocks: are

provided with

ball bearings

94 and 95, through which 3;: shaft 96 extends, in parallel, spaced alignment with strip 9|. One end of saidshaft; as seen-in Figures 8 andz9; extends on one side offiange-31ofrguidebar 35 and has secured thereon a paper-sheet-contacting wheel 91 providedrwith a softnon-slip tire or, rim 98. The other end of shaft, 96 extends beyond the opposite side of flange 31 and has secured thereon a drive wheel 99 which contacts one of the rollers 59 and is rotated thereby for driving the shaft 96 and imparting rotation to the paper-contacting wheel 91. A spring strip IOOhasone end secured as at I DI (Fig. 1-2) tothe top of block 8|, the other end I92 bearing resiliently against strip 9| for urging the adjacent end of shaft 96 downwardly whereby wheel 99 is maintained in good drive relation-with one of the rollers 59.

For applying a selected. degree of downward resilient pressure on wheel shaft 96, a. threaded adjustment bolt I01 projectsslidably throughextension B5into recess 9,0 (Figsl 13 and.1 4),. Bolt 56.1 has a reduced. inner. end Ifll extending through an, opening I 05 in strip 9| and impinging against shaft 96. A. retaining pin I96 projects throughsaid shaft end I94 beneathstrip9l. An expansion spring II 9 encircles boltIll3-within, the recess 99, bearing against strip, M and. theitop of said recess,.respectively. The upper part of adjustment bolt IflText'end's above. block 8| and is there threadedly engaged by an adjusting nut I98 and a lock nut I09. Upward and downward movement of adjusting nut I08 respectively decreases and increases the resilient, pressure ofreduced shaft end I04 against shaft 96 resulting from the action of expansion spring I16;

It will be seen in Figures 8 and19 that certain of the flanged openings I2I in guide bar 35 are connectedin pairs'by diagonally extending slots 1 II and through these slots the lower portions of sheet contacting wheels 91 are adapted'to project for bearing against a paper sheet NZ to be moved forwardinto contactagainst the stop member 16;

In Figures?) and'lmeans are disclosed for precluding pressing of the sheets downwardly between rollers 59 as a resultof the pressure ofthe sheet contactingwheels 91. These means comprise brackets 59 securedv at intervals; as at 51', to the vertical flange 31 of guide bar 35 and each projecting beneath the latter, asat 52; and havingsecured thereto, as at'53', a mounting clip' 54 whereon a small roller 55 is mountedv as at.5.6. Each of' these small rollers is positionedbetween two of the'largerollers 59 inthe same level" as the upper surface line of the latter. The sheets, therefore, as their lateral edge portions pass along beneath the horizontal flange 38 of'guid: bar' 35, contact these small rollers 55 and are thereby prevented from being pressed downwardly between the large rollers 59, and possibly disingthe solenoid arm, a contraction spring I22 is provided, having one end secured to a projecting strip I23 (Figs. 8 and 9) attached to the top 12 of solenoid 1|, and its other end connected to the transverse section II1 of a bracket H6. The latter also comprises a lateral section II8 pivotally'connected intermediate its length, as at I I9, to lug 68 (Fig. 10) An angle bracket I26 is conneclted, as by a nut I21, to the upper end of solenoid arm 13, and comprises afoot I25 through which a vertical rod I24 passes slidably. The lower end of this rod is offset as at I3I and projects through an aperture in the outer end of said lateral bracket section H8, being secured thereto as by a cotter pin I32. An expansion spring I30 on rod I24 is confined between said foot I25 and. a pair of nuts I28 at the top of the rod. Tension of said spring may be modified by means of collar I29 on rod I24 beneath foot I25. It willnow be seen that upward actuation of section II! of the pivoted bracket II6, under the influence of contraction spring I22, results in downward movement of solenoid arm 13, by virtue of the several cooperating elements just described.

As an aid to smooth forward movement of sheets beneath and past stop member 16 an idling wheel II3 (Figs. 8 and 9) is mounted, as at II4, on an outward projection II of the bracket I I6. Raising of the stop member results in lowering of wheel I I3 against the top surface of the signature or sheets being carried by rollers 59 and wheels 91, for stabilizing and assuring uninterrupted'movement of the sheets in proper stacked order. The contact of wheel II3 against the sheets is of course sufiiciently light to avoid impeding their movement, and the pressure of such contact may be modified by adjustment of nuts I28 on rod I24 to vary the downward pressure of spring .I30on the adjacent end of bracket-section H8.

The stacking of unlike sheets or signatures requires that two parallel lines of sheets be carried on table 25 for deposit on table 3I where they are stacked by stop member 15. For this purpose, as indicated in Figures 3, 4, and 22, an initially large paper sheet I4I, as carried on table I, is, after being folded at fold section A, divided in half sections I42 and I43 by a cutter wheel I44fixed 'on the shaft I4. The half section I42 is deposited at once on rollers 29 of table 25, is moved into contact with a shortened form of guide bar I45 and is carried toward table 3| by the rollers 29. The other half section I43 of the sheet, as it is divided ofi by the cutter I44, instead of being depositied at once on rollers 29, is takenon by a pair of belts I46 which pass around and are moved by shaft I4 and extend at a diagonal (see Fig. 22) across the table 25 and around a pair of idling rollers I41 positioned for this purpose on table 25. Adjacent this side of the latter, a longer guide bar I48 is placed above rollers 29. The belts I46 pass beneath this bar which stops-further transverse movement of sheet section I43, whereupon rollers 29 assume control of said sheet section and carry it toward table 3|. Thus two separate parallel lines of sheets or signatures are advanced to the table 3 I. The switch unit 41, in this operation, is associated with table 3 I, adjacent one end of the guide bar 35in such position that each sheet section I42 passes beneath the trip lever 30, as will be seen in Figure 4. The initial sheet section I42 is advanced at once to and held by the solenoid stop unit 32, reaching it before the other sheet section I43, so that the latter is deposited on and then moved into registration with the sheet section I42. The stop member 16 remains closed until the next sheet section I42 enters beneath the switch lever whereupon solenoid stop unit 32 is energized and stop member 16 raised for releasing the stacked signatures. The succeeding sheet section I42 then passes under switch 30 causing the stop unit to return to blocking position. This-sequence of operation, once established, continues during the handling of unlike signatures.

As mentioned earlier, the operation of solenoid 32 and its plunger or arm, to which stop member 16 is attached, is controlled by the switch 41 as tripped by switch lever 30. The latter is, in turn, actuated by paper sheets passing therebeneath. When identical sheets or signatures are operated on, switch unit 41 is positioned on guide bars 28 on table 25, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. When unlike signatures are operated on-that is, signatures which must be stacked in alternating, as distinguished from successive order-the switch unit 41 is positioned on the guide bar of table 3I, as seen in Figures 3 and 4. In the case of like signatures, the stop member 16 is opened only by alternate sheets passing under switch lever 30, whereas, with unlike signatures, stop member 16 is opened every time a sheet passes under switch lever 30.

To facilitate positioning and conditioning of the related parts for the operations described, a selector switch unit I33 is utilized, placed conveniently at one end of table 3I. This switch has suitable plug-in connections with the sheetactuated switch unit 41 andwith the stop unit 32. As indicated more particularly in Figures 15 and 21, the selector switch unit comprises a selector switch I34'connected as at'l35 with the sheet-actuated switch unit 41. Selector switch I34 includes a pair of contacts I36 and I31. When unlike signatures are being folded and stacked, the contact I31 is closed manually. Thereafter, upon closing of switch 41 by a sheet, a relay I38, connected as at I39, with said contact I31, energizes the solenoid H and operates the associated stop member 16, through the electrical connection I between said relay and solenoid.

When like signatures are being folded, switch I34 is manually moved to contact I36 and when a sheet thereafter closes switch 41, current flows through line I49 to a selector switch solenoid I50 connected, by lines I5I, I52, and I53, with solenoid unit H of which stop member 16 forms a part. Simultaneously, current flows from contact I36 through line I54 to a contactor arm I55 of a breaker unit I56 constituting an element of the selector switch unit I33. In this connection, reference is made to Figures 15 through 21. The breaker unit I 56 and elements cooperating therewith are shown as mounted on a support plate I62 (Fig. 17). Said unit I56 comprises a second arm I51 in resilient contact, through breaker points I58, with arm I55. Current passes through these points, when the latter are closed, to a contactor I59 (Fig. 17) provided on a ratchet wheel I60 which is mounted on a studshaft I6I fixed to a wall plate I62. The latter likewise has fixed thereon in quadrangular spaced relation (Figs. 17,' 18, and 21) a set of four selector switch contactors I63, adapted to be contacted successively by contactor I59 of the ratchet wheel I60, as the latter is rotated. Current therefore passes from contactor I59 into the adjacently-disposed one of the selector switch corner? contactors 1'63. The latter are electricallyinte'rconnected, as indicated inFi'gure 21 at I64; T65,

15 and 16'): which comprises aniarm [68 and link:

l'filt'norm-ally urged in one direction (to the right as seen in Fig. 15')" by a spring] 10' positioned'as at fi l in switch unit 133. A s'egmentmemberlTl'is' pivotally mounted as at I13 on ratchet shaft 116! and'is pivotally connected at an upper corner extremity, as at. I14, with the outer end ofv link I69. The segment member carries a. pawl I15 adapted to engage the ratchet wheel teeth for rotating the Wheel, in. a step by step mannentothe left (see Fig. 16') when solenoid arm IE8 is actuated in that direction For further. controlling such actuation or the ratchet wheel, the latter may be provided. on. its face with spaced sockets I l! (Figs.v l7 and 1.8). into which, in succession, apin I18- enters, said pin projecting, rearwardly from the top part ofresilient, arm [51; The-segment member I12 has. projecting from its, hub portion a. separator element I'TB' which, whenv segment member I12 is returned-to. the right by the action of spring. ll tl,.'as inFigur-es 15 and-'20, enters-between the upper ends of resilient contactor arms I55 and I151 andsepareites the breaker points I58. Upon-- energizing of solenoid, ['50) the solenoid. arm

I58 and segment member I112. are. moved to the left (Figs. 16. and 19) and the. separator element 176' moves upwardly to permit contactof breaker points I58,

The, solenoid arm. it has a length of stroke equal to one-eighth of a revolution of ratchet wheel I60. The tour selector switch contactors I63 are so located that at alternate strokes of solenoid arm I68 a circuit is completed through ratchet wheel. contactor I 9., as already described. While. theratchet wheel ismoved with eachstroke of arm. L69, the circuit for. opening stop member 1B. isv not. closed until contact is. made between ratchetwheel contactor i=5'9 an-done of the spaced selector switch: contactors 1.63. Thus in. the stacking of like sheets or signatures, two of the latter are conveyed to the lowered stop. member Iiibefore itis opened to release position.

Modifications, such as for the purpose of. stacking, agreater number of signatures before release by stop memberlfi, and other modifications of structure and operation, will be readily apparent to those acquainted with the field. Such changes are considered to be comprised within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a paper, sheet carrier and means for the movement thereon of sheets in spaced linear-succession, of a stop adjacent the carrier and movable into and out of the path of the sheets for blockin advance of sheets prior to discharge thereof from the carrier; and an actuator for said stopand comprising an arm projecting into thepath of the'she'ets in advance of the st-ojp and adapted to-be contacted by the sheets for actuating the stop into positions for alternately" blocking and releasing sheets carried bythe carrier;

2. The combination with a paper sheet carrier.

and. means for the movement thereon of. sheets.

in spacedlinear-succession, of'an electricailyactua'tedi stop" a-dj acent' the, carrier and. movable. into and. out of the path of. the sheets .for blocking advance ofsheets prior to-d'ischar'g thereof from the carrier and an electric switch for controlling the stop and comprising an arm projecting into:

the path ofthe, sheets in advance of. the stop and adapted to becontacted by the sheetsfor .actuating the step into positions for alternately blockingand releasingsheets carried'by the carrier.

3'. The combination with a. paper sheet carrier and meansIfor the, movement. thereon ofsheets in spaced linear'succession, of. an electrically actuated stop adjacent the carrier and movable into and out of the. path of the-sheets for blocking advan-cc of sheets prior to discharge thereof from the carrier; an electric switch for controllin the stop. and comprising an arm projecting into the path of the sheets. in advance of the stop and adapted to be. contacted by the sheets for actuating. the. stop, and means for retaining the stop in. positiontoblock advance of one sheet until the following, sheethasbeen advancedtothe stop.

4'. The combination with a paper sheet carrier and means for the movement thereon of sheets in. spaced linear succession, of an electrically actuated stop adjacent. the carrier and movable into and out oft'he path of the sheets for blocking advance of sheets. prior to discharge thereof from the carrier; an electric switch for control-- ling the. stop' andv comprising an arm projecting into. the path of. the sheets in advance of the stops-and adapted to be contacted by' the sheets for. actuating the stop, means for disposin the stop. in position to block advance of t-hersheets, means for advancing the sheet following a blocked sheet into overlying position on the blocked. sheet, and means for raisingthe-stop torelease the stacked sheets to the action-of: the. carrier.

5. The combination with means for performeing a. series of operations on paper sheets and intervening carriers for moving the sheets-in succession from one operation to the next, of an electrically-operated stop adjacent one of the carriers and movable into and out of the path of the sheets .for blocking advance of sheets prior to discharge thereof from the carrier; and an elec tric. switch positioned adjacent the preceding carrier and comprising an arm projecting intothe pathofv the sheets and adapted to be con-- ta'cted' thereby for alternately actuatingthestopto open and closed positions for respectively releasing and blocking sheets advanced thereto by the associated. carrier.

6. The combination with a paper sheet carrier, a cross carrier associated therewith, means for delivering sheetsfrom the first carrier to the cross carrier, and means'for holdingto a fixed line the sheets delivered to the cross carrier, of means associated" with the first carrier to dispose sheets thereon for movement along two parallel lines and in spaced staggered relation, the sheets of one line being presented for delivery to the cross carrier at" a point relatively remote from the discharge end thereof and the sheets of the second line at a point relatively adjacent said. end, anelectrically-actuated stop on the cross carrier located' beyond the point of'clelivery thereto ofthe sheets of said second line, the stop beingadapted to be moved into and out of the path of the sheets, and an electric switch for controlling the stop. and comprising an arm projecting. into-the path. of said remotely-delivered. sheets and contacted in. succession thereby for actuating the. stop, release of the arm from each contact effecting actuation of the stop to position for blocking advance of the actuating sheet and such actuation coinciding with delivery of a, sheet from said second line onto the blocked sheet, and means for moving the overlying sheet into contact with the stop and registry with the under sheet, said stop being actuated for release of the stacked sheets by initial contact with said am of the next-in-order of said remotely-delivered sheets.

7. A machine for insert-folding of paper sheets and comprising a sheet carrier, a cross carrier associated therewith, means for delivering sheets from the first carrier to the cross carrier,

means for holding to a fixed line the sheets delivered to the cross carrier, means associated with the first carrier to dispose sheets thereon for movement along two parallel lines and in staggered relation, the sheets of one line being presented for delivery to the cross carrier at a point relatively remote from the discharge end thereof and the sheets of the second line, at a point relatively adjacent said end, an electrically-actuated stop on the cross carrier located beyond the point of delivery of the'sheets of said second line, said stop being adapted to be moved into and out of the path of the sheets, an electric switch for controlling the stop and comprising an arm projecting into the path of said remotely-delivered sheets and contacted in turn by each of said sheets for actuating the stop, release of the arm from such contact serving to actuate the stop into position for blocking advance of the sheet and such actuation coinciding with delivery of a sheet from said second line onto the blocked sheet, means for moving the overlying sheet into complete register with the under sheet, said stop being raised for release of the stacked sheets by initial contact with said arm of the next-in-order of said remotely-delivered sheets, and means for folding the release stacked sheets into inserted relation one to the other.

,8. The combination with a paper sheet carrier, means for delivering sheets thereto in spaced succession, a cross carrier associated with the first carrier, means for delivering sheets in spaced succession from the first carrier to the cross carrier, and means for holding to a fixed line the sheets carried on the respective carriers, of an electrically-actuated stop on the cross carrier and movable into and out of the path of the sheets, and an electric control switch positioned on the first carrier and comprising an arm projecting into the path of the sheets and contacted thereby for actuating the stop, release of the arm from contact by a sheet serving to actuate the stop for blocking advance of the sheet last-delivered to the cross carrier, said stop being positioned for blocking said sheet at a location to effect deposition thereon of the next-delivered sheet, and means for moving the overlying sheet into register with the under sheet, the stop being raised for release of the stacked sheets by initial contact of a sheet on the first carrier with said arm.

9. The combination with a paper sheet carrier, means for delivering sheets thereto in spaced succession, a cross carrier associated with the first carrier, means for delivering sheets in spaced succession from the first carrier to the cross carrier, and means for holding to a fixed line the sheets carried on the respective carriers, of an electrically-actuated stop on the cross carrier and movable into and out of the path of the sheets, and an electric control switch positioned on the first carrier and comprising an arm projecting into the path of the sheets and contacted thereby for actuating the stop, release of the arm from contact by a sheet serving to actuate the stop for blocking advance of the sheet last-delivered to the cross carrier, said stop being positioned for blocking said sheet at a location to efiect deposition thereon of the next-delivered sheet, means for moving the overlying sheet into register with the under sheet, the stop being raised for release of the stacked sheets by initial contact of a sheet on the first carrier with said arm, and means associated with the stop and the switch to provide for release-actuation of the stop by intermittent sheets only of the sheets on the first carrier to provide a time interval for said registering of sheets on the cross carrier.

10. The combination with a paper sheet carrier, means for delivering sheets thereto in spaced succession, a cross carrier associated with the first carrier, means for delivering sheets in spaced succession from the first carrier to the cross carrier, and means for holding to a fixed lin the sheets carried on the respective carriers, of an electrically-actuated stop on the cross carrier and movable into and out of the path of the sheets, and an electric control switch positioned on the first carrier and comprising an arm projecting into the path of the sheets and contacted thereby for actuating the stop,'re1ease of the arm from contact by a sheet serving to actuate the stop for blocking advance of the sheet last-delivered to the cross carrier, said stop being positioned for blocking said sheet at a location to effect deposition thereon of the next-delivered sheet, means for moving the overlying sheet into register with the under sheet, the stop being raised for release of the stacked sheets by initial contact of a sheet on the first carrier with said arm, and a selector switch interposed between the stop and the switch to provide for release-actuation of the stop by intermittent sheets only of the sheets on the first carrier to provide a time interval for said registering of sheets on the cross carrier.

11. The combination with a paper-sheet carrier table, of an electrically-actuated stop movable into and out of the path of sheets carried on the table for respectively blocking and releasing the sheets, a switch controlling said stop and positioned on the table in advance of the stop, said switch being adapted to be actuated by the moving sheets for operating the stop, and a selector switch unit associated with said stopcontrolling switch and comprising manually-set means operative on said stop and adapted in one position to effect actuation of the switch by successive sheets and in another position by alternate sheets contacting said switch.

KENNETH M. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 269,159 Crowell Dec. 12, 1882 801,991 King Oct. 17 1905 1,015,716 Seymour Jan. 23, 1912 1,165,911 Seymour Dec. 28, 1915 1,802,775 Palmer Apr. 28, 1931 1,831,245 Hitchcock NOV. 10, 1931 1,836,213 Werner Dec. 15, 1931 2,190,413 Davidson Feb. 13, 1940 2,240,424 Spiess Apr. 29, 1941 2,414,059 Powers Jan. 7, 1947 2,506,550 Morrison May 2, 1950