Parallel moving tray sorter
AssigneeGradco (Japan) Ltd.
InventorsPeter M. Coombs, Klaus Thogersen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A moving bin sorter of the type in which the trays are individually and collectively moved vertically relative to a sheet inlet location and opened to provide an enlarged sheet entry space for receiving the sheets, has cams and counterbalancing springs to lift the trays supported in a support structure which maintains the trays in parallel relation, thereby maintaining equal spacing for printed sheet storage along the complete effective length of the trays. In one form, the support structure is a unit moved upwardly by the springs, and in another form, the support structure has a member integrated with the tray housing and a cooperative member moved upwardly by the springs, the trays being supported at all times in parallel relation.
Claims12
In a sheet sorting machine of the type including a housing, a set of trays which are arranged in vertically spaced, horizontally extended relation and are vertically movable between closely spaced positions supported one on the other above and below a sheet entry location forming an enlarged sheet entry space between adjacent trays, including rotary cam means for moving the trays between said positions and forming said enlarged sheet entry space when stationary, cam followers at opposite sides of said tray engageable with said cam means, the improvement comprising;
- first support means including a support member disposed below the lowermost tray for moving said trays upwardly to engage said cam followers with said cams, vertically movable additional support means for the inner and outer ends of the trays, said vertically movable additional support means supporting said trays for vertical movements in parallel relation in both said closely spaced positions and said enlarged sheet entry space position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.