GB949278A - Improvements in or relating to sheet delivery mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

949,278. Delivering sheets. MIEHLE-GOSSDEXTER Inc. May 9, 1962 [June 27, 1961], No. 17776/62. Heading B6H. Sheet delivery mechanism comprises chain conveyer means having grippers for conveying and releasing a sheet over a pile table, and suction units for engaging the sheet near its trailing edge, the units being rotatable about the axis of a hollow suction shaft while and as a consequence of being reciprocated parallel to the direction of sheet travel by the shaft, which is supported at each end by a reciprocating shaft. The suction units move linearly more slowly than the grippers so as to tension the sheet, while their rotary movement arrives in depositing the sheet. Sheets received by grippers 26, Fig. 1, on chains 25 are carried over a pile table 30 and released when the grippers reach a cam 31. The chains pass over sprockets 23 and a third pair of sprockets not shown, and thence up guides 28. The sheets are supported by resilient flexible supports 74 carrying weights 75 and fixed to a static eliminator 73 over which the sheets pass. As each sheet approaches the pile, its trailing end is engaged from underneath by a plurality of suction control devices which move more slowly than the grippers to tension the sheet. As each sheet is released it comes to rest on the pile 27 with its trailing end overlapping the back stop 67, and when the suction units operate on the following sheet, joggers 104 attached to the units push the sheet against the front stops 32. At each side of the machine there is mounted a shaft 35, Figs. 1 and 4, carrying a slide block 65 with a rack 68, and a shaft 34 carrying a housing member 62, connected to a source of suction by a flexible conduit 63. The members 62 carry a hollow shaft 64 to which they communicate the suction. The shafts 34 are reciprocated by a crank mechanism 52, carrying with them the shaft 64, and spur gears 70 rotatable on the shaft 64 roll along the racks 68, rocking members 71 integral with the spur gears. The members 71 support a shaft 77, which is thus given a combined horizontal movement and rotary movement about the axis of the shaft 64, as shown by the interrupted line in Fig. 5. The shaft 77 carries three suction units, each comprising a cylinder 78, Figs. 4, 5 and 7, having axial rows of ports 81, 82. Each cylinder 78 is in suction communication with the shaft 64, by means of end brackets 84, cover plates 65, 66, the ports 82, and ports 83 in the shaft 64, suction being applied to the sheet through the ports 81 in position A, Fig. 5. In position B, the ports 81 are closed to release the sheet, and the ports 81 open to atmosphere. An arrangement comprising flexible bands 90, 91, Fig. 6, anchored to collars 92, 95 ensures that the ports 81 remain at the top of the cylinder. Adjustment for sheets of different length is effected by a handle which rotates the shafts 35, 34, which have threaded portions 39, 38 whereby the members 62 and blocks 65, together with the suction units, are moved axially of the shafts. For adjustment for sheet width, valve members 106 in the end cylinders 78 are caused to open or close selected ports 81 by rotating pins 108 by a hand tool.