Auxiliary-pile carrier for a lifting device for a pile of sheets

An auxiliary-pile carrier in a pile lift of a sheet-processing machine having a main-pile lifting unit and an auxiliary-pile lifting unit and wherein an auxiliary pile is supported on a pile board having grooves formed in an upper surface thereof, comprising:

• auxiliary-pile carrier elements for carrying an auxiliary pile, said carrier elements each having a free end;
• forward cross-member support means for supporting said free end of each of said carrier elements;
• rear cross-member support means for supporting said carrier elements disposed apart from said forward cross-member;
• said carrier elements having means for allowing a rod-like insertion thereof in the grooves formed in the upper surface of the pile board carrying the auxiliary pile such that said carrier elements are aligned parallel to the grooves;
• said carrier elements being in the form of chains each having a plurality of links;
• said links including means for causing each of said chains to be non-flexible in one direction beyond a substantially straight alignment of said links;
• said rear cross-member being in the form of a rotatable shaft, and including chain wheels rigidly disposed on said shaft, said chain wheels meshing with said chains and driving said chains.