GB1110696A - Signature or like sheet handling mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1,110,696. Signature handling apparatus. HARRIS INTERTYPE CORPORATION. 22 Sept., 1965 [29 Sept., 1964], No. 40475/65. Heading B6H. Signature handling mechanism 10 which is operable to assemble several signatures into a book and secure them together by stapling comprises a collator portion 11 including a plurality of signature feeding stations 13 at each of which a hopper 14 supports a plurality of like signatures which are fed in succession and in superposed position with preceding different signatures by a drum 17 and endless chain 18 on to saddle members 22 adjacent a signature conveyer 16 carrying pushing members 35. Pushing members 35 are adjustable in one or another predetermined position to cope with signatures of one size or of another size which is double that of the first size. Pushing members advance the signatures past a detecting device 44 including a detecting wheel 41, driven from shaft 25, which drives the conveyer 16 and the wheel 41 is clutched to chain sprockets which drive the wheel 41 at either the speed of the shaft 25 when larger signatures are fed or at twice the speed of the shaft 25 when smaller signatures are fed. Providing signatures are collated of the appropriate number the detector wheel 41 does not actuate the associated electrical contacts and relays and the signatures are fed to a shuttle mechanism 76 including fingers 77 and clamp plate 79 which are reciprocated by rocking arms 81, 82 via a connecting rod 83 articulated adjustably in a slot 85 of a gear 84 to deal with the respective sizes of the signatures. Shuttle mechanism advances the signatures past a stapling device 101, 102 which staples the signatures into a book and the stapled signatures are discharged on to upright vertically reciprocated blades 110 which move the stapled signatures into the nip of a delivery conveyer belt mechanism 111, which moves the signatures towards a trimmer mechanism (not shown). The detector wheel 41 is adjusted in speed to sense either the one and the other size of signatures and when an improper number of signatures is present the detector wheel 41 actuates a set of contacts for the appropriate size of the signatures and the contacts close a series of switches and cam operated relays, which co-operate with a delay circuit to disable the staple device 101, 102 and to actuate ejector guide fingers 115.