Sorting apparatus and reproducing machine

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of sheet receiving bins;
• a first frame for supporting said sheet receiving bins;
• sheet transport means for transporting said sheets to said bins;
• a second frame for supporting said sheet transport means and
• means for supporting said second frame for movement between a first closed position wherein said sheet transport means is operatively associated with said bins and a second open position to provide access to said sheet transport means and said bins for sheet clearance therefrom;
• the improvement wherein:
• means are provided for counterbalancing said second frame as it is moved from said first position to said second position, said counterbalancing means comprising at least one leaf spring mounted in cantilever fashion on said first frame and said second frame including at least one rotatably supported member for engaging said leaf spring.

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of sheet receiving bins;
• a first frame for supporting said sheet receiving bins;
• sheet transport means for transporting said sheets to said bins including at least one transport member and at least one belt under a desired tension, said transport member and said belt being arranged to form a nip therebetween to transport sheets therethrough;
• a second frame for supporting said sheet transport means;
• and
• means for supporting said frames for relative movement between a first closed position wherein said sheet transport means is operatively associated with said bins, and a second open position wherein access is provided to said sheet transport means and said bins for sheet clearance therefrom;
• the improvement wherein:
• means are provided for reducing said desired belt tension responsive to the relevant movement of said frames from said first closed position to said second open position, said tension reducing means comprising means for supporting said at least one transport member for movement in said second frame between a first position wherein said member deflects said belt a given amount to provide said desired belt tension and a second position in a direction away from said belt to reduce said deflection of said belt and thereby reduce said belt tension below said desired belt tension;
• whereby clearance of said sheets from said sheet transport means is facilitated by the reduction in the tension of said at least one belt.