US2643113A - Sheet or signature feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

L. C. WILLIAMS SHEET 0R SIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM J ne 23, 1953 3 Shasta-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 INVENTOR. LEO C. WlLLmMfi 0041A Q, 13mm June 23, 1953 C. WILLIAMS SHEET OR SIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 INVENTOR. LEO C. WILLIAMS 0w a/am- ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 Filed Nov. 22, 1950 L. C. WILLIAMS SHEET OR SIGNATURE FEEDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

LEO G. WILLIAMS I QLQfl/ZZ a. 6m

ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1953 SHEET R SIGNATURE FEEDING HANISM Leo 0. Williams, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl River, N. Y., a

MEG

corporation of New York Application November 22, 1950, Serial No. 197,081

14 Claims, 1

This invention relates generally to sheet calipering or excess sheet detecting mechanisms, and more particularly to a caliper-ing mechanism which is particularly adapted for embodiment in machines wherein signatures or other sheets in folded condition are successively fed from a supply thereof and transferred by traveling grippers to other devices or instrumentalities for further action thereon.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with the caliperi-ng of individual signatures fed successively from a series of supply stacks and assembled in superposed or inset relation to form books or magazines, whereby signatures that are perfect as to the required number of pages therein will only he assembled, and books or magazines that are perfect as to the required number of perfect signatures will only be'made. The invention will be particularly described in connection with a signature handling machine suited to such use, but it is to be understood, however, that this particular description for the purpose of illustration only and does notconstitute a limitation upon the natural scope of the invention.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a signature calipering mechanism of novel construction which will accurately and reliably detect variations in the thickness of signatures to the degree "of a single thi kness of paper. I

Another object of the invention is to control the results or effects-of calipering or detecting operations on signatures as well as plain unfolded sheets by and during performance of traveling grippers engaged therewith.

Another objectis to provide a novel signature calipering mechanism which is so constructedand arranged as to enable mounting of the same on a rotatahle gripper :cylinder and use of the signature engaging gripper on said cylinder as the controlling element thereof, whereby "the construction is materially simplified, the necessity or providing other signature gauging rollers, fin

, 2 through failure of said gripper or grippers to seize the same.

A further object is to provide an improved calipering mechanism mounted on and rotatable with a gripper cylinder which will, through such rotation, effectively actuate a normally stationary control member upon engagement of an imperfect signature, too thick or too thin, or a sheet of excess thickness, by the gripper or grippers on said cylinder, and also upon failure of said gripper or grippers to seize a signature or sheet.

Still another object is to provide a calipering mechanism of novel construction where-in all of the component parts thereof are carried by a ro-- tating gripper cylinder and including a timed control actuating feeler member, and an abutment finger operatively associated with said member and movable to various positions by the grippers on said cylinder to prevent or permit movement of said member depending on the thickness of a signature or other sheet engaged by said grippers or the failure of the latter to grip said signature or sheet. 7

Another object is to provide a novel calipering mechanism mounted on a rotary gripper cylinder which includes a timed control actuating member .so .novelly arranged that actuation of said member in. timed relation with the operation of the grippers on said cylinder is controlled by the same cam means which effects closing and opening of said grippers, thus further simplifying the-construction of the calipering mechanism.

Another object is to provide a rotary cylinder having a gripper so arranged thereon in a novel manner that pivotal movement of said gripper into and out of gripping engagement with a signature or other sheet is effected through bodily movement of said gripper relative to said cylinder.

The above and further objects and novel tea- .tures. of the invention will more fully appear from the following detail description when the same is read 'in connection with the accompanying drawings. .Itis to be expressly understood, hOW- ever, that the draw-ingsare ,for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended .as a definition of the limitsof .the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference charactersrefer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig.- l is a fragmentary end elevational view, partly in section, of one of the units or sections of .a signature gathering machine embodying signature oalipering mechanism constructed and operated in accordance with the present invention, said view showing the gripper cylinder in signature gripping position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail end elevational view, partly in section, of the gripper cylinder and signature calipering mechanism mounted thereon, shown in Fig. l, with the near-side gripper cam supporting bracket removed, and showing the gripper cylinder advanced a short distance beyond signature gripping position, said view being taken substantially from the position indicated by the line 273 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the gripper cylinder, showing the grippers thereon in opened position; and

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the gripper cyiinder and calipering mechanism, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, one form of signature calipering mechanism constructed and operated in accordance with the present invention is herein illustrated, by way of example, as being embodied in a signature gathering machine wherein folded sheets, and at times plain unfolded sheets, are successively fed from a series of inline supply stacks and deposited one upon an other on a trough-like conveyor for subsequent stitching and/ or other operations to form a complete book or magazine. It will be understood that the novel signature calipering mechanism may also be embodied in other signature handling machines, such as, signature insetting machines wlier in the signatures are deposited in opened condition one upon another on an inverted V-shaped saddle-type conveyor for subsequent stitching operations to form a complete saddlestitched book or magazine, as well as in other machines wherein folded and/or unfolded sheets are presented to devices or instrumentalities for action thereon.

With reference to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, 5 indicates a portion of the framework of a signature gathering machine of conventional form, which suitably supports the usual longitudinally extending signature receiving trough 5 that is inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the horizontal. The trough 6 is provided with a rear wall I against which the signatures slide when they are deposited in said trough in a conventional manner by rotating gripper cylinders one of which will be hereinafter described in detail. Associated with the trough 6 is the usual conveyor chain 8 which is continuously driven and is provided at spaced intervals therealong with vertically projecting signature engaging pushers or fingers 9 for advancing the deposited signatures along said trough from station to station and gathering the same fiatwise one on top of the other to form a complete book or magazine, as well understood in the art.

In the complete gathering machine, a plurality of independent signature feeding units or sections are arranged in spaced side by side relation along the trough 6, as well understood in the art, for feeding the signatures from supply stacks thereof and delivering them to said trough in timed relation for engagement by the pushers 9 on the chain 8. When the books or magazines are composed of assembled signatures and individual unfolded sheets, one or more of the feeding units or sections is employed to feed the unfolded sheets from supply stacks thereof and deliver the same to the trough 6 at a desired point thereon for gathering with the signatures fed from the remaining units or sections. For Ghe sake of simplicity and brevity in illustrating and describing the present invention, and since all of the feeding units or sections are identical in construction and operation, only one of said units and only that portion thereof with which the present invention is actually concerned is herein illustrated.

The present invention is herein illustrated as being embodied in a feeding unit of the conventional bottom feed type wherein the signatures are extracted successively from the bottom of a horizontally disposed stack thereof. It will be understood that this type of feeding unit is not to be construed as a limitation, since the present convention may be embodied in other conventional types of feeding units such as, for example, the on-edge type wherein the signatures are extracted successively from the front of a supply thereof in standing edgewise position.

In the illustrated embodiment, a supply stack of signatures ID, or of single sheets as the case may be, is supported in the usual hopper comprising a fixed base plate II, a fixed front abutment plate I2, and adjustable vertically extending side bars !3 (Fig. 1). The plate I2 and bars I3 are carried by the framework 5, and the plate Ii is secured to spaced brackets I 4 which, in turn, are carried by spaced parallel shafts I5 and I6 forming part of said framework. The base plate II terminates short of the abutment plate I2 so that the front marginal portion of the lowermost signature ID of the stack is exposed beneath for separation and extraction purposes. The signatures I0 are placed in the hopper with the folded back edges thereof abutting against the abutment plate I2.

The usual suction device I1 (Fig. 1) is mounted on a rock shaft I8 for swinging movement thereby at predetermined intervals toward and away from the stack of signatures I0 to engage the exposed marginal portion of the lowermost signatures centrally thereof, separate it downwardly away from the stack and bring it into position, as shown in Fig. 1, for operative engagement by two grippers I9, IS on a rotary extractor cylinder or carrier 20. Suitable valve means controls the making and breaking of vacuum in the suction device I! such that vacuum is created therein when moved toward the stack of signatures ID, and is broken therein just prior to or simultaneously with engagement of the separated marginal portion of the lowermost signature by the grippers IS, IS on cylinder 20. The usual stack lifters 2 Iv are mounted on a rock shaft 22 for swinging movement into position beneath the stack of signatures I0, as shown in Fig. 1, to lift said stack as the lowermost signature is extracted therefrom by the gripper cylinder 20.

The gripper cylinder or carrier 20 is keyed or otherwise suitably secured to a main longitudinally extending shaft 23 which is driven continuously by suitable driving means and, in the illustrated embodiment, makes one complete revo-v lution for each cycle of operation of the machine. The grippers IB, I9 are operated by suitable means to be presently described, to engage the separated marginal portion of the lowermost signature I 0 inwardly of the folded back-edge thereof and press said portion into gripping contact with the peripheral surface of the cylinder 20 as the latter revolves, whereupon the lowermost signature I 0 is extracted forwardly and downwardly from the stack, and carried around and rearwardly to the lower side of the cylinder at which point it is released by the grippers 1'9, 1-9 to fall flatwise on the trough 6. Although the cylinder :20 is herein shown as having only one set of grippers I9, 19 thereon, said cylinder is suffioiently large in diameter to enable the use of two .sets of said grippers arranged diametrically opposite each other, as well known in the art, whereby two successive signatures may be extracted from the stack .for each revolution of the cylinder, in which event said cylinder will be driven to make one-half of a revolution for each cycle of operation of the machine. It is, therefore, to be understood that the present invention is not limited to a gripper cylinder .hav- .ing only one set of .grippers thereon, but may be employed with equal advantages in connection with :a gripper cylinder provided with more than one set of grippers.

As shown, the cylinder 20 is preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of a single casting constructed to provide two axially spaced signature receiving and supporting disks 24, 24. The cylinder 20 has a section thereof removed to provide a recess therein extending axially therethrough and opening outwardly through the peripheral surfaces of the disks 2'4, 24 for the reception and operation of the grippers l9, l9, and certain parts of the calipering mechanism to be hereinafter described. The cylinder 21) has portions thereof hollowed out to reduce the weight thereof, and is suitably ribbed :to increase the strength thereof. The disks 24, 24 are provided adjacent the recess 25 with two axially aligned gripper pads or anvils 26, 2 6, one on each disk, which are recessed into the peripheral surfaces of said disks and are removably secured thereto by machine screws 21 or the like, said gripper pads being formed of a suitable noncompressible material, such as, Formica, Micarta, metal, or the like, having the desired 00- efficient of friction to extract the signature or sheet.

The grippers l9, M are normally disposed wholly within the recess 25 and inwardly of the circle of revolution of the peripheral surfaces of the disks 24, 24, as shown in '3, and are pinned or otherwise suitably secured to and adjacent opp'osite ends of a short shaft 28 in accurate alignment with the cooperating gripper pads 26, 26 on the respective disks '24, 2A of cylinder 20. This shaft 28 is journa'lled in suitable bearings provided in the free forward ends of two axially spaced links 29, 29 which are symmetrically arranged between the grippers I9, I9. The links 29,2 9 extend rca-rwardly from the shaft '28 and are pivotally mounted at their free rear ends on a short pin S t which is 'so located that the a ds thereof is substantially on a line passing vertically through the center of the axially aligned gripper pads 25, 26. The pin 3%} is suitably secured centrally thereof in a toothed segmental plate 3i and proj ects'beyo'nd opposite sides of said plate to receive the links 29,29. The segmental plate 3! is disposed centrally between the disks '24, 2b in a suitable recess in the cylinder 20 and is pinned or otherwise suitably secured to said cylinder against relative movement, said plate hating the toothed portion thereof projecting into the recess 25.

'It will thus appear that by virtue of the described mounting of the gripper shaft -28 and grippers I9, '19, and the described location of the pivot pin 30, the shaft 28 and grippers l9, 19 will be bodily swung outward relative to the cylinder 20 in an arcuate path substantially concentric with the signature engaging surfaces of theipa'ds 26, 26. This bodily outward movement of the grippers 1'9, [9, which is in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cylinclear 20, enables "the grippers to in effect overtake the separated marginal portion of the lowermost signature I'D as the cylinder revolves and thereby project farther inwardly beyond the folded backedge of the signature .in normal extracting position. In this manner, positive gripping engagement of the signature ID in or out of normal position within limits by the grippers i9, i9 is always assured, and the possibilities of misses through failure of the grippers to engage a signature in or slightly out of normal position are completely eliminated.

.Secured to or formed integrally with the gripper shaft 28 centrally thereof :is a segmental gear 32 which is in continuous meshing engagement with the teeth 33 formed on the segmental plate 31. It will thus appear that when the gripper shaft 2 8 and grippers l9, l9 are swung bodily outward relative to the cylinder 20, as hereinbefore described, the'sha'ft 28 and grippers i9, i9, through such movement and meshing engagement of the segmental gear '32 with the tooth segmental plate 3|, will be simultaneously rotated in a'counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, whereupon the grippers i9, '19 will be swung from the wide opened position shown in said figure, to the closed position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to engage the separated portion of the signature H1 andfirmly and uniformly 'press'the same against the pads 26, 26 as the cylinder 2t revolves. This gripping engagement of the signature H] by the grippers l9, I9 is maintained until the signature, through continued rotation of the cylinder 20, is completely extracted from the supply istack and carried circularly downward and around to the lowerside of said cylinder, at which time a reversal of the above described operations is eifected to cause the grippers l9, 1'9 to open substantially at the lowest part of their travel, resulting in release of the signature Ill for flatW-ise delivery onto the trough 6. As the cylinder 20 continues to revolve after release of the signature [0 by the grippers [9, I9, said grippers are fully retracted bodily into the recess 25 and simultaneously rotated to their wide opened position, as shown in Fig. 3, in readiness for action on the next separated lowermost signature of the stack.

' The above described operations of the grippers IS, IS may be effected in 'various mechanical ways, :and as herein shown is effected at proper timed intervals through rotation of the cylinder 20 by simple mechanism preferably constructed and arranged as follows. Journalled on the gripper shaft 28 at each end thereof are two cam rollers of the same diameter, the rollers at one end being indicated at 34, 34,-and the rollers at the opposite end being indicated at 35, 35 (Fig. 4). These rollers 3 '34 and 35, 35 are arranged to engage two stationary semi-circular ring-shaped cams 36 and 37, respectively, which are of identical construction and are disposed adjacent opposite ends of the cylinder 20 at the rear side thereof. The earns 36, 31 extend substantially from the vertical center line of the cylinder 20 at the top thereof to substantially said center line at the bottom of the cylinder. The cams 3B, 3'! are each made in two sections, 1. e. a fixed upper gripper closing section 38 and an adjustable lower gripper opening section 39. The sections '38, 38 of the cams 36, 31 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the inner surfaces of two supporting brackets 40 and M, respectively, and the sections 39, 39 of said cams are respectively secured to said surfaces by bolts 42 (Fig. 1) which extend through slotted openings 43 in said brackets and are threaded into suitable threaded openings in said sections.

The sections 38, 39 of each cam 36, 31 together provide at their inner edges a relatively long cam surface 44 (Fig. 2) concentric with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 20 and terminating at the upper end thereof in a'relatively short gradually tapering-off cam surface 45 and at the lower end thereof in a somewhat longer gradually tapering-off cam surface 46. The bolt and slot mounting 42, 43 of thecam sections 39, 39 provide for adjusting said sections relative to the cam sections 38, 38 to vary the time when and, hence the point in the path of travel of the grippers I9, I9 at which opening of said grippers and release of the signature I is desired. The sections 38, 39 of each cam pref erably have overlapping adjacent ends in order to maintain the continuous uninterrupted concentric cam surface 44 in all positions of adjustment of the section 39.

The rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 are yieldingly urged toward the cams 36, 31, respectively, by two spring-pressed rods 41, 41 provided at their upper ends with enlarged heads 48, 48 which are pivotally connected to the gripper shaft 23 and are disposed between the grippers I9, I9 and the links 29, 29. The lower ends of the rods 41, 41 project through suitable openings in a transverse post 49 which is loosely carried in the web of the cylinder 20 and projects beyond opposite ends of said web to receive said rods. The springs for the rods 41, 41 are compression coil springs 59, 56 mounted thereon and having their upper ends engaging against the heads 48, 48 and their lower ends engaging against the post 49. If desired, a single roller of double width may be substituted in lieu of each of the double rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35, the double rollers being employed to minimize wear and reduce maintenance expense.

The cam supporting brackets 49 and 4I are disposed exteriorly of the cylinder 26 adjacent opposite ends thereof and are loosely engaged over the cylinder shaft 23 and connected together rearwardly of said cylinder by a short tie-rod 5I suitably secured therein. The brackets 49, 4! are supported and held against rotary movement about shaft 23 by a vertical rod 52 (Fig. 1) depending from the shaft I6 and having'its lower end projecting through a suitable opening in the tie-rod 5I. The lower end of rod 52 is externally threaded and has threaded thereon above and below the tie rod 5| two nuts 53, 53. By adjusting the nuts 53, 53, the brackets 49, 4I may be raised or lowered as a unit about the shaft 23 to advance or retard the cams 36, 31 as a unit for gripper timing purposes.

It will thus appear that when the rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 are engaged with the concentric cam surfaces 44, 44 of the cams 36, 31, as shown in Fig. 3, through rotation of the cylinder 20 in the direction of the arrow, the grippers I9, I9 will be swung wide open and wholly retracted into the recess 25 in said cylinder, as shown in said figure. As th cylinder 26 continues to revolve and the opened grippers I9, I9 approach the folded back-edge of the separated signature I0, the rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 will ride off the cam surfaces 44, 44, onto and along the cam surfaces 8 45, 45 and then out of contact with the cams 36, 31, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the grippers I9, I9 will be bodily swung reversely out of the recess 25 about th pivot pin 36 and simultaneously rotated inwardly toward the disks 24, 24 to closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by the spring actuated rods 41, thus yieldingly gripping the signature against the pads 26, 26 and holding it gripped until it is extracted from the hopper and carried downwardly and rearwardly to the lower side of the cylinder 20. As the grippers I9, I9 approach the lowest part of their travel through continued rotation of the cylinder 20, the rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 will engage the cam surfaces 46, 45 of cams 36 and 31, whereupon the grippers I9, I9 begin to retract into the recess 25 and to open, thus immediately releasing the extracted signature I0 to fall fiatwise onto the trough 6. As the cylinder 26 continues to revolve after release of the signature I9, the rollers 34, 34 and 35, 35 ride farther up on the cam surfaces 46, 46 and into engagement with the concentric cam surfaces 44, whereupon the grippers I9, I9 are again fully retracted into the recess 25 and are swung wide open in readiness for operation on the next separated lowermost signature of the stack, at which time the above described operations are repeated. It is to be noted that the extent of inward rotary movement of the grippers I9, I9 toward the gripper pads 26, 26 is variable depending on the thickness of the signature or sheet being gripped thereby or the absence of said sheet or signature in gripping position, said movement being less for a thick signature than it is for a thin signature or single sheet, and being more when no signature or sheet is present in gripping position and the grippers I9, I 9 make direct contact with the pads 26, 26. By modifying the cams 36, 31 so that the cam surfaces 45, 45 thereof taper off more abruptly than shown, the grippers I9, I9 may be caused to project still farther rearwardly beyond the folded back edge of the signature in gripping position.

It is to be understood that when the cylinder 26 is provided with two sets of grippers disposed diametrically opposite each other, as hereinbefore pointed out, the recess 25, the grippers I9, I9 and the described mounting and operating parts therefor are duplicated and arranged in corresponding positions on the cylinder 20, the cams 36 and 31 then serving to operate both sets of grippers to effect extraction of two successive signatures from the stack during each revolution of the cylinder.

It is important during the normal operation of the machine that a signature or sheet and only one signature or sheet at a time is extracted from the supply stack during each cycle of operation, and that only signatures that are perfect as to the required number of pages therein are delivered to the trough 6 or other device. Accordingly calipering mechanism of novel construction is provided for calipering the signatures or sheets prior to delivery thereof to the trough 6 or other device to detect variations in the thickness of the signatures or sheets above and below normal thickness, and for also detecting the absence of a signature or sheet on the gripper cylinder 29 at a time when one should be present thereon, said calipering mechanism, in the illustrated embodiment, efi'ecting actuation of an electrical control switch upon detection of a signature or sheet of abnormal thickness, too thick or too thin, or plural signatures or sheets, or the absence of a signature or sheet in normal position on the cylinder 20. The electrical control switch may be em ployed either or both to stop the machine and to throw a visual or audible signal.

As herein shown, the novel caliperingmechanism is mounted on the gripper cylinder 26 for rotation therewith, and utilizes the grippers l9, l9

themselves as the signature or sheet thickness gauging means thereof, as well as the absent signature or sheet detecting means thereof, since the thickness of the signatures or sheets, as well as the absence of a signature or sheet. in gripping position on the cylinder, is reflected in the extent of rotary movement of the grippers l9, l9 into gripping engagement with the signature or sheet;

or'with the pads 26, 26. The novel calipering mechanism comprises the following elements preferably constructed, mounted and operated as follows.

The segmental gear 32 on the gripper shaft 28 is formed at the front side thereof with a fiat face to which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured a depending controlling finger 54 formed at the lower end thereof with a forwardly bent or offset portion 55. Th length of the finger 54 is substantially equal to the length of the grippers l9, l9 measured from the axis of the gripper shaft 28. The finger 55 is thus: rocked in opposite directions by the shaft 28 with the grippers I9, l9, and the extent of movement of said finger in a direc tion outwardly toward the peripheral surface of the cylinder 20 is dependent upon and substantially the same as the. extent of inward movement of the grippers 19, I9- toward the pads 26, 25, which movement, as hereinbefore pointed out, varies depending on the thickness of the signature or sheet engaged by the grippers, or the absence of a signature or sheet in gripping position.

The portion 55 of finger 54 is arranged to abut against a contact member 56 in the form of a thumb screw which is adjustably carried in the split upper end of a relatively short upstanding arm 51 and is locked in adjusted positions by a clamp screw 58. The lower end of the arm 51 is disposed between the furcations of a bifurcated bracket 59 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a transverse seat 60 formed on the cylinder 20 and located centrally between the ends thereof. A stud 5| extends through and is journalled in suitable aligned bearings formed in the iurcations of the bracket 59, and through a suitable cpening formed in the lower end of the arm 5'! which is split at said end and provided with a. clamp screw 52 for securing said arm to said stud. The stud 6| is formed with an enlarged square head 63 which is disposed exteriorly of the bracket 59 at the left hand side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 4. The head 63 on stud 6| is split horizontally for a portion of the length thereof and is provided at the rear side thereof with a socket within which is disposed and seated the front end of a relatively long controlled finger 64 which is immovably secured in said head by a clamp screw 65. The controlled finger 64 projects rearwardly from the head 63 over the cylinder shaft 23 and is in the form of a round rod having its rear end portion flattened to a relatively thin narrow blade 66. controlling finger 54, 55, the arm 51, and the controlled finger 54, variations in the thickness of the signatures or sheets and in the extent of rotary inward? movement of the: grippers 1 91,: i i are. thus multiplied considerably at the extreme rear end of the blade 65 of the controlled finger 64.

Cooperating, with the controlled finger 64, 66 is By virtue of the proportional lengths of the a second controlling member in the form of a bell-crank lever 61 (Fig. 2) having a long upstanding arm 68, a short lower rearwardly extending horizontal arm 69, and a short. outwardly projecting arm 10 which is turned at right angles to the arms 68, 69 and is disposed diagonally between the; same. The controllingbellecrank lever 61 is disposed at the left-hand end of the cylinder 20, as viewed in Fig; 4, and is mounted for pivotal movement on a shoulder stud "II which is suitably secured: in the. web. of said cylinder and projects outwardly therefrom to receive said bell-crank lever. A cam roller 12 is. journalled on an eccentric stud 13. which is adjustably secured in the free end of: the bell-crank arm '69 and projects outwardly therefrom to receive said roller. The roller 1:2 is arranged to engage the stationary cam 36 as the cylinder 20 revolves, and is yieldingly u-rged'toward and into engagement with said cam by suitable resilient means, such asa compression coil spring 14 having one end thereof seatedin a suitable socket formed in the hub of the cylinder 20. and the. opposite end engaging against thebellcrankv arm lift at a point below the pivotal axis ii. The spring. 14. acts to bias the bell-crank lever 6'5 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, and the movement of said lever by said spring in said direction is limited by a. stop screw 15 which is engaged by the outer edge of said lever. The stop screw: 15. is adjustably carried by a transverse post 16, and is held in adjusted position by a lock nut TI. The post 16 is. suitably secured in the cylinder 25 and projects outwardly therefrom.

Itwill thus appear that as the cylinder 29 revolves, the roller 12 on the bell-crank lever 5'5 is caused to follow the cam surfaces M and 45' on cam 36 by the'expanding action of the spring M. Accordingly, when the roller 12 moves into engagement with the cam surface 45 on cam 36 which occurs after a signature or sheet has been gripped by the grippers I9, l9 and while said signature orsheetis being carried downwardly and around to the lower side of the cylinder 28', the bell-crank lever 61 is rocked by spring "it about the pivot H in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thus swinging the bell-crank arms 58 and Ill to. the: broken line positions thereof shown in said figure, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. When the roller. 12 leaves the cam 35 upon con-tinuedrotation of the cylinder 20, further or excess pivotal clockwise movement of the bellecrank lever 61 is prevented through engagementoffsaid lever with the stop screw 15. When the roller .12 moves into engagement with the cam surface 46 on cam 35which occurs after the signature or sheet is released and the grippers I 9', 19 are returned to their wide opened position, the: bell-crank lever 61 is returned by said cam to its original full lineposition shown in Fig. 2.

Suitably secured to the bell-crank arm 68 at the upper end" thereof, as by machine screws i8, is a feelerblock 1 9 provided in the lower edge thereofwith an upstanding shoulder facing the controlled finger 6'4. Disposed below and in spaced relation with the feeler block 19 is a second feeler block 8| provided in the upper edge thereof with a. horizontal shelf 82 and with an upstanding shoulder 83 also facing the controlled finger 6:4- The. feeler block BI is secured to the bell-crank-arm 68. for adjustment toward and away from the feel'er block l9-by a machine screw 84 which. projects through a slotted opening 85 in said, block and, is threaded into a suitable threaded opening in said arm. The controlled finger 64 is yieldingly urged by a light extension 1 1 coil spring 86 toward the feeler block 8| and into normal position with the blade end 66 thereof resting on the shelf 82 of said block, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 2. The spring 86 has one end thereof connected to the finger 64 and the opposite end connected to the hub of the cylinder 28.

The bell-crank arm is provided with a roller 8'! journalled on a shoulder stud 88 which is suitably secured in the free end of said arm. This roller 81 is arranged to engage and actuate a control element under certain conditions through rotation of the cylinder 20 and the bell-crank lever 81 therewith. As shown, the control element comprises a rod 89 (Figs. 2 and 4) which is disposed parallel with the cylinder shaft 23 and is provided at the outer end thereof with a head 90 which is adjustably threaded on said rod and is held in adjusted position by a lock nut 9|. The rod 89 is so located that the inner free end thereof projects into the rotary path travelled by the roller 81 when the roller 12 is in engagement with the concentric cam surface 44 of the cam 36, at which time the bell-crank lever 61 will be dis posed in the full line position shown in Fig. 2.

The rod 89 is supported and guided for straightline axial movement by a bracket 92 (Figs. 1 and 4) which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the outer surface of the cam supporting bracket 40. The rod 89 is yieldingly urged toward the cylinder 28 by a compression coil spring 93 surrounding said rod and having one end thereof engaging against the bracket 92 and the opposite end engaging against a collar 94 suitably secured to the rod. The collar 94, through engagement with the bracket 92, serves to limit the inward movement of the rod 89 by the spring 93,'and to stop said rod in proper axial position for operative engagement by the roller 81.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the outer end of the bracket 92 is a normally closed electric switch 95 which is connected in the electric circuit for the driving motor of the machine, and may, if desired, be also included in an electric circuit for a visual signal, such as a lamp or electrically actuated flag, or an audible signal, such as a bell or buzzer. The switch 95 is of known construction and is of the type which when once actuated will remain in actuated position until manually reset, For this purpose, the switch 95 is provided at one side thereof with a contact actuating plunger 96 which is disposed coaxially with the rod 88 to be engaged and actuated b the head 80 on said rod, and at the opposite side thereof with a second contact resetting plunger 91 which is manually operated.

The eccentric stud 13 provides for accurately setting the bell-crank lever 61 about the pivot stud 'H so that the shoulders 80 and 83 of the feeler blocks 19 and SI, respectively, will be disposed just clear of the arcuate path of movement of the free end of the blade 56 of the finger 64, and that the control-rod-actuating roller 81 on said lever will be spaced radially from the axis of the cylinder shaft 23 the same distance as the control rod 39, with the cam rollerv 12 in contact with the concentric cam surface 44 of the cam 36. The adjustable feeler block 8| and the adjustable contact screw 58 permits a very fine adjustment of the calipering mechanismso that the control rod or element 89 will be effectively actuated when variations to the degree of a single sheet thickness are detected in the signatures of different thicknesses that may be handled in the machine. This fine adjustment is particularly important and advantageous when handling single sheets and relatively thin signatures, such as four-page signatures.

In the initial make-ready of the described apparatus, a signature H! of normal or proper thickness is taken from the supply thereof which is to be fed and is placed between the closed grippers |9, I9 and the pads 26, 26. The contact screw 56 is then manually adjusted until the blade-end 66 of the controlled finger 64, through engagement of said screw with the controlling finger 54 and resulting pivotal movement of the arm 51, stud BI and finger 64, is disposed in the space between the feeler blocks 19, 8| and, hence, out of the path of inward movement of said blocks. This adjustment is augmented by adjusting the feeler block 8| toward or away from the'feeler block 19 in accordance with the thickness and type of signature being fed. For thick signatures without single sheet inserts, a wide gap between the feeler blocks 19, 8| is usually employed, such as shown in Fig. 2. For thin signatures without single sheet inserts, and for thick signatures with single sheet inserts, the-gap between the feeler blocks 19, BI is reduced. For thin signatures with single sheet inserts, and for single unfolded sheets, the gap between the feeler blocks 19, 8| is further reduced, In any event, the gap between the feeler blocks 19, 8| must always exceed the thickness of the blade portion 66 of the controlling finger 64.

Assuming now that the above adjustments have been carefully made, that the grippers I9, H! are in their normal wide opened positions, as shown in Fig. 3, that the bell-crank lever 61 is disposed in its normal full line position, as shown in Fig. 2, through engagement of the roller 12 on said lever with the cam surface 44 of the cam 36, and that the switch is closed, at which time the controlling finger 54 is spaced a considerable distance away from the contact screw 56, as evident from the position thereof shown in Fig. 3, and the controlled finger 64 is disposed by the spring 86 in resting position on the shelf 82 of the feeler block 8|, as shown in Fig. 2. The machine is then started, and as the cylinder 20 revolves in the direction of the arrow, the grippers IS, IS are closed on the separated signature H), as hereinbefore described, and said signature is extracted from the supply stack. If the signature l0 seized by the grippers I9, I8 is of normal or proper thickness, the controlled finger 64 will be raised from the shelf 82 of the feeler block 8| to the full line position thereof, shown in Fig. 2, under the control of the grippers l9, l9 and through contact of the finger 54 with the contact screw 56. Under these conditions, the bell-crank lever 61 is permitted to swing in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to the broken line position (Fig. 2) under the action of the spring 14 and engagement of the roller '12 with the cam surface 45 of the cam 36 as the cylinder 20 continues to revolve with the signature gripped thereon. The control roller 81 will thus be displaced radially to the broken line position shown in Fig. 2, and in such displaced position will travel in a displaced rotary path past the control rod 89 sufficiently clear of the latter to completely miss the same. Accordingly, the control rod 89 will not be actuated and the normal operation of the machine will thus proceed as long as the successive signatures taken by the grippers 9, l9 are of normal or proper thickness.

Assuming now that the signature seized by the grippers l9, I9 is of a thickness in excess of the normal or proper thickness, or that two signatures are simultaneously seized by said grippers, resulting in a reduced stroke of the grippers. Under these conditions, the controlled fingerv 64 willinot be raised from the shelf 82 of the feeler blockal, or will not be raised sufficiently to. clearthe shoulder 83 of said block. Accordingly, whenthe roller '52 on the bell-crank lever .6! begins to ride up on the cam surface 45 of the cam Stand the feeler blocks iii, 8| feel for the controlled finger 64,.

inward or clockwise movement of said bell-crank. lever is prevented throughabutting engagementv of the shoulder 83. of the block 8| with the-blade end 66 of the finger 64 in the broken linelower position thereof shown in Fig. 2. The bell-crank lever i will thus remain in the full line position shown in Fig. 2, and in such position thecontrol roller 81 will engage and actuate the control rod 89 as the cylinder revolves, whereupon the switch 535 will be actuated to. break the electric circuit and thereby stop the operation of. the machine. It will be noted that contact of the control roller 8'! with the control rod 89 is only momentary, but sufficient, however, to actuate said rod and the switch 95, andbecause of this said roller will travel beyond the control rod 89} before the cylinder 20 is actually stopped, thus enabling resetting of said rod by the spring 93 andmanual resetting of the switch 95 to again start the machine after the necessary-corrections have been made. H H

Assuming now that the signature seized by the grippers I 9, I9 is thinner than the normal or proper signature thickness, or that the grippers I9, IQ for some reason have failed to seize a signature, resulting in an increased-stroke of said grippers. Under these conditions, the controlled finger 64, due to the increased stroke of' the grippers I9, [9, will be raised from the shelf 82 of the feeler block Bl tothe broken line upper position shown in Fig, 2, an extent sufficient to clear the feeler block 8| but to bedisposed in the path of the shoulder 80 of the feeler block 19. Accordingly, when the roller 12 on the bellcrank lever 61 begins to ride up on the cam surface 45 of the cam 36 and the feeler blocks 19, 8| feel for the controlled finger 54, inward or clockwise. movement-of said .bel1,crank lever is prevented through abutting engagement of the shoulder 80 of the block 19 with the blade end 66 of the finger E4. The bell-crank lever .61 will thus remain in the full line position shown in Fig. 2, and in such position the control roller 81 will engage and actuate the control rod 89 as the cylinder 20 revolves, whereupon the switch 95 will be actuated to break the electric circuit and thereby cause stoppage of the machine.

The operations of the calipering mechanism as explained above in connection with different si nature conditions, likewise occur'when single unfolded sheets are fed and the grippers l9, l9 seize an excess thickness sheet or double sheets, or fail to seize a sheet.

-It is to be understood that when the cylinder 28 is provided with two sets of grippers arranged diametrically opposite each other, the hereinbefore described parts of the calipering mechanism are so constructed and arranged that they may be duplicated and mounted in corresponding positions on the cylinder .20 to provide a duplicate calipering mechanism. for the signatures or sheets taken by the second set of grippers, said duplicate mechanism utilizing the same cam 36 as theoperating means therefor, and efiecting actuation of the same control rod 89 when an abnormal condition occurs the handling of 14 the. signatures or sheets by the second set of grippers.

The operation of the calipering mechanism constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing description, and while said descrip tion and the accompanying drawings set forth with more or less particularity one embodiment of the invention, it is to he expressly understood that said invention is not limited to said embodiment or to the particular type of machine or to the rotary type of signature or sheet transfer carrier or cylinder disclosed herein. Various changes may be made therein, particularly in the design and arrangement of the parts illustrated, as well as in the mode of operation and manner of use, some of which have been mentioned in the foregoing specification, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as- :will-now be clear to those skilled in the art. The

invention may be embodied with equal advantages in a straight-line traveling gripper carrier, or in a swinging type of gripper carrier. Additionally, the control rod. 89 may be relocated for :actuation by the control roller 31 when the bell-' crank lever B? is in its broken line, perfect signature or sheet, position, shown in Fig. 2, said rod then actuating a switch or other suitable mechanism which will prevent stoppage of the machine, or a second control rod may be provided for actuation by the roller 81 when the bell-crank lever 61- is in its broken line, perfect signature or sheet, position, said second rod then actuating a perfect signature or sheet counting device, electric or mechanical, or anothermechanical or electrical device for a desired purpose.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having a sheet or signature supporting surface, a gripper movably mounted on said carrier, means for movingsaid gripper toward said surface from a normal open position to closed position on a sheet or signature, control means independent of said carrier and arranged to be actuated, a member mounted on said carrier for movement therewith and for relative movement to two positions only, namely, an operative position and an inoperative position; said member with said gripper in normal opened position being disposed in its operative position so as to engage and actuate said control means during movement of said member with said carrier, means for moving said member to its inoperative position in' synchronism with the closing operation of said gripper, and means mounted'on said carrier for relative movement under the control of said gripper to one position for permitting movement of said member to its inoperative position so that engagementof said member with said control means is avoided when the gripped sheet or signature is of properthickness, and to another position for holding said member in its operative position and against movement to its inoperative position so that said member will engage and actuate said control means when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is in excess of or less than the proper thickness and] when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a fixed electrical switch, and a slidably mounted switch-operating push-rod having one end thereof disposed in the path of movement of said member when in operativ position to be engaged and operatedby said member.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary carrier having a circular sheet or signature supporting surface and mounted to rotate about a fixed axis, a gripper pivotally mounted on said carrier, means for swinging said gripper from a normal open position toward said surface to closed position on a sheet or signature, control means independent of said carrier and arranged for actuation adjacent one end of said carrier, an element mounted on said carrier at said end for rotary movement therewith and for relative pivotal movement in opposite directions to two positions only, namely, an operative position and an inoperative position, respectively, said element with said gripper in normal opened position being disposed in its operative position so as to engage and actuate said control means during rotation of said element with said carrier, means for moving said element to its inoperative position in timed relation with the closing operation of said gripper, and means mounted on said carrier for relative pivotal movement under the control of said gripper to one position for permitting movement of said element to its inoperative position so that engagement of said element with said control means is avoided when the gripped sheet or signature is of proper thickness, and to another position for holding said element in its operative position and against movement to its inoperative position so that said element will engage and actuate said control means when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is in excess of or less than the proper thickness and when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said control means comprises a fixed electrical switch, a slidably mounted switch actuating push-rod disposed parallel with the axis of rotation of said carrier and having one end thereof projecting into the path of rotary movement of said element when in operative position to be engaged and actuated by said element, and spring means for yieldingly urging said push-rod toward said carrier and into position for operative engagement by said element.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having a sheet or signature supporting surface, a gripper movably mounted on said carrier, means for moving said gripper toward said surface to closed position on a sheet or signature, a lever mounted on said carrier for rotary movement therewith and for relative pivotal movement, a member on said lever and movable thereby to two positions only, namely, an operative position and an inoperative position, control means independent of said carrier and arranged for actuation by said member,'means for moving said lever in one direction prior to the closing operation of said gripper to dispose said member in its operative position whereby it may engage said control means during movement of said lever with said carrier, means for moving said lever in the opposite direction subsequent to the closing operation of said gripper to dispose said member in its inoperative position whereby it may avoid contact with said control means during movement of said lever with said carrier, and a gripper controlled finger mounted on said carrier for pivotal movement into the path of movement of said lever in said opposite direction for holding said member in its operative position and against movement to its inoperative 16 position when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is in excess of or less than the proper thickness and when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said member is in the form of a roller journalled on said lever, and said control means comprises a fixed electrical switch, and a slidably mounted spring-pressed switch actuating push-rod having one end thereof projecting into the path of movement of said roller when in operative position to be engaged and operated by said roller.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said electrical switch is provided with a contact actuating plunger engageable by said push-rod, and with a manually operable contact resetting plunger.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said lever is provided with two relatively spaced blocks each having an abutment shoulder thereon engageable with the gripper controlled finger whereby movement of said lever in said opposite direction is prevented, and said finger is positioned under the control of said gripper for engagement by the abutment shoulder of one of said blocks when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is less than proper thickness and when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper, and for engagement by the abutment shoulder of the other of said blocks when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is in excess of the proper thickness, and between said blocks when the gripped sheet or signature is of proper thickness.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having a sheet or signature supporting surface thereon, a gripper movably mounted on said carrier, spring operated means on said carrier for moving said gripper toward said surface to closed position on a sheet or signature during movement of said carrier, a stationary cam for controlling the operation of said gripper by said spring operated means, a lever mounted on said carrier for relative pivotal movement, a member on said lever and movable thereby to operative and inoperative positions, control means independent of said carrier, a roller journalled on said lever and engageable with said stationary cam during movement of said carrier for moving said lever in one direction prior to the operation of said gripper to dispose said member in its operative position whereby it may engage said control means, resilient means for moving said lever in the opposite direction under the control of said stationary cam subsequent to the operation of said gripper to dispose said member in its inoperative position whereby it may avoid contact with said control means, and a gripper controlled finger mounted on said carrier for pivotal movement into the path of movement of said lever in said opposite direction for preventing movement of said member to inoperative position when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is incorrect and when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said roller is journalled on an eccentric stud adjustably carried by said lever.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having a sheet or signature supporting surface thereon, a gripper movably mounted on said carrier, means for moving said gripper toward said surface to closed position on a sheet or signature, a lever mounted on said carrier for relative pivotal movement, an element on said lever and movable thereby to operative and inoperative positions, control means independent of said carrier, cam means for moving said lever in one direction prior to the operation of said gripper to dispose said element in its operative position whereby it may engage said control means during movement of said lever with said carrier, yieldable means for moving said lever in the opposite direction subsequent to the operation of said gripper to dispose said element in its inoperative position whereby it may avoid contact with said control means, upper and lower blocks secured to said lever in spaced relation and each having an abutment shoulder thereon, a relatively long finger pivotally mounted on said carrier and resting at its free end on said lower block in abutting relation with the shoulder on said block, and means actuated by said gripper through movement thereof to closed position for selectively moving said finger from said lower block to a position between said blocks when the gripped sheet or signature is of proper thickness and thereby permit movement of said lever in said opposite direction, or to a further position when the thickness of the gripped sheet or signature is less than the proper thickness or when no sheet or signature is gripped by said gripper whereby movement of said lever in said opposite direction is prevented through engagement of the shoulder on said upper block with said finger, said last-named means upon gripping engagement by said gripper of a sheet or signature of a thickness in excess of the proper thickness having a movement imparted thereto insufficient to move said finger clear of the shoulder on said lower block thereby preventing movement of said lever in said opposite direction.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said movable carrier comprises a continuously rotating member having a circular sheet or sig- 18 nature engaging surface and mounted to rotate about a fixed axis.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said last-named means comprises a controlling finger connected to said gripper for movement thereby and depending therefrom, a stud journalled on said carrier and supporting said long finger, a relatively short arm secured to said stud, and a contact element adjustably threaded in said arm and engageable by said controlling finger.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a movable carrier having a sheet or signature supporting surface, a gripper movably mounted on said carrier, means for moving said gripper toward said surface to closed position on a sheet or signature, a member mounted on said carrier for relative movement in opposite directions a predetermined extent so as to occupy a predetermined invariable position in each of said directions, a cam and spring operated means for moving said member in said directions to said positions, control means independent of said carrier and arranged to be engaged and actuated by said member in one of its positions during movement thereof with said carrier, and means actuated by said gripper'for controlling the positioning of said member at said positions and the operation of said control means thereby in accordance with the thickness of the sheet or signature being gripped by said gripper.

LEO C. WILLIAMS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 761,496 Juengst May 31, 1904' 1,738,180 Frazier Dec. 3, 1929 2,020,321 Kleineberg Nov. 12, 1935 2,145,520 McFarlane Jan. 31. 1939

Images