Gripper for a conveying device for conveying single-sheet or multiple-sheet printed products

A gripper for a conveying device for single-sheet or multiple-sheet printed products such as newspapers, magazines and parts thereof, comprising:

• first and second gripper parts mounted for pivotal movement about a common axis, said first gripper part being pivotable between an open position and a clamping position in which it cooperates with said second gripper part to clamp a printed product under spring force;
• a closing lever mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and being coupled to said first gripper part, said closing lever having a follower member for coacting with a closing cam for pivoting the first gripper part into said clamping position, said closing lever and said closing lever follower member being configured such that said first gripper part can be moved into said clamping position by the closing cam acting on said follower member in substantially all pivot positions of said first and second gripper parts;
• a holder in which a shaft is rotatably mounted;
• said shaft defining the commonpivot axis of said first and second gripper parts, said closing lever being connected to said shaft and fixed against rotation relative to said shaft, said shaft being coupled to said first gripper part and said second gripper part being pivotably mounted on said shaft;
• a locking device for blocking said first gripper part in its clamping position, said locking device comprising a locking lever which acts on said shaft for blocking said first gripper part in its clamping position, said locking lever being mounted for pivotal movement into a position wherein it is releasable by a stationary opening arrangement disposed along the path of travel of the gripper;
• said locking lever having a follower member located on said locking lever, said locking lever follower member having a control surface for engaging the opening arrangement, said control surface being curved about an axis and said control surface axis arranged approximately coaxially with the pivot axis of said two gripper parts in the blocking position of said locking lever;
• and
• a positioning follower member coupled to said second gripper part for interacting with fixed positioning cams for holding said second gripper part in a particular pivot position.