Apparatus for diverting stacks of sheets in paper processing machines

Apparatus for manipulating stacks of paper sheets or the like, comprising a first transporting unit arranged to advance a succession of stacks in a first direction, at a predetermined level and along a first path;

• a second transporting unit arranged to advance selected stacks of said succession along a second path and in a second direction at an oblique angle to said first direction, said second transporting unit having a stack-receiving portion adjacent to one side of said first path;
• a transfer conveyor normally disposed below said level and operable to advance selected stacks from said first path, in said second direction and onto the stack-receiving portion of said second transporting unit;
• means for raising and lowering said transfer conveyor above and below said level so that, when raised, said transfer conveyor extends into said first path and transfers the oncoming selected stack into said second path;
• a pusher adjacent to the other side of said first path opposite the stack-receiving portion of said second transporting unit;
• means for moving said pusher transversely of said first path so that said pusher assists said transfer conveyor in delivering selected stacks to the stack-receiving portion of said second transporting unit and preserves the orientation of selected stacks during such transfer;
• and a yieldable bumper disposed at said one side of said first path and arranged to deflect transferred stacks from said second path.