Sheet conveying apparatus

A sheet conveying apparatus usable to convey a shingled stream of sheets from a sheet stack to a sheet handling machine, said sheet conveying apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor table having an upper sheet conveying surface extending from an upstream end to a downstream end;
• at least first and second spaced, generally parallel endless perforated conveyor belts driven for motion along said upper sheet conveying surface said first and second conveyor belts being spaced rom each other at a first distance at said upstream end of said surface and at a second distance at said downstream end of said surface;
• at least first and second separate suction chambers each having a negative pressure supply positioned under said conveyor table beneath said first conveyor belt and at least third and fourth separate suction chambers each having a negative pressure supply positioned under said conveyor table beneath said second conveyor belt;
• a plurality of suction openings in said upper sheet conveying surface interposed between each one of said first, second, third, and fourth suction chambers and said overlying cooperating conveyor belts;
• means to control said negative pressure supply to each one of said first, second, third and fourth suction chambers;
• and
• means for supporting said at least first and second conveyor belts for said motion along said upper sheet conveying surface wherein said first distance is less than said second distance to cause said at least first and second conveyor belts to diverge from each other in a sheet conveying direction during conveyance of said shingled stream of sheets on said upper sheet conveying surface of said conveyor table.