Method and apparatus for turning a block of signatures

An apparatus for turning a rectangular block having a pair of first sides and a pair of second sides substantially orthogonal to the pair of first sides, comprising:

• an elongated trough extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, said elongated trough having a bottom surface supporting one of the first sides of the block prior to turning the block and supporting one of the second sides of the block after turning the block;
• means, including a conveyor pin, for pushing the block downstream through said trough prior to and after turning the block;
• means, including a block advance pin, for disengaging the block from said conveyor pin and advancing the block downstream away from said conveyor pin prior to turning the block;
• means, including a pivot pin, for engaging a lower portion of the leading second side of the block and maintaining the lower portion against said pivot pin following disengagement of the block from said conveyor pin;
• and
• means, including a flip pin, for pivoting the block approximately ninety degrees forward about said pivot pin while the lower portion of the leading second side of the block is maintained against said pivot pin.

An apparatus for turning a rectangular block having a pair of first sides and a pair of second sides substantially orthogonal to the pair of first sides, comprising:

• an elongated trough extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, said elongated trough having a bottom surface supporting one of the first sides of the block prior to turning the block and supporting one of the second sides of the block after turning the block;
• means for pushing the block downstream through said trough prior to and after turning the block, said pushing means including a plurality of spaced conveyor pins extending laterally across the width of said trough via a conveyor pin slot formed in said trough and moving downstream through said trough substantially parallel to said bottom surface of said trough;
• means for disengaging the block from said conveyor pin and advancing the block downstream away from said conveyor pin prior to turning the block, said disengaging means including a plurality of spaced block advance pins extending laterally across the width of said trough via a block advance pin slot formed in said trough and moving downstream through said trough substantially parallel to said bottom surface of said trough;
• means for engaging a lower portion of the leading second side of the block and maintaining the lower portion against said pivot pin following disengagement of the block from said conveyor pin, said engaging means including a plurality of spaced pivot pins extending laterally across the width of said trough via cut-away sections formed in said trough and moving downstream through said trough adjacent and substantially parallel to said bottom surface of said trough, said engaging means further including a conveyor belt disposed beneath said plurality of pivot pins, said conveyor belt maintaining the lower portion of the leading second side of the block against said pivot pin;
• and
• means for pivoting the block approximately ninety degrees forward about said pivot pin while the lower portion of the leading second side of the block is maintained against said pivot pin, said pivoting means including a plurality of spaced flip pins extending laterally across the width of said trough via an angled slot formed in said trough and moving downstream through said trough beginning at said bottom surface of said trough and moving at an angle extending away from said bottom surface of said trough.