Gathering chain for high speed bindery lines and pusher member therefor
AssigneeR. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
InventorRonald W. Hastie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gathering chain pusher member for use in a gathering conveyor system is configured in a manner to allow high speed binding to occur without deformation of signatures collected by the system.
Claims29
A gathering chain, comprising:
- a plurality of segments joined to one another and extending in a travel direction wherein each segment has a width transverse to the travel direction and includes a top surface;
- and
- a pusher member disposed atop one of the segments in contact with the top surface and having a portion extending to a uniform thickness above the top surface over the entire width of such segment and adapted to engage signatures deposited on the gathering chain.
In a conveyor system having a gathering chain including a plurality of chain links, said chain links moving in a closed loop defined in part by a return path of travel, the improvement comprising:
- a return path housing extending along the return path having an open upper portion and an enclosed lower portion;
- a rail secured to the return path housing adjacent the upper portion;
- and
- a plurality of tabs carried by selective ones of the chain links and engaging the rail wherein the chain is supported within the return path housing by the rail along the return path of travel.
A conveyor system, comprising:
- a gathering chain having a plurality of chain links moving in a closed loop defined in part by a return path of travel and a plurality of segments joined to one another and driven by the chain links wherein each segment has a width transverse to the return path of travel and includes a top surface;
- a pusher member disposed atop one of the segments in contact with the top surface, the pusher member having a signature contact surface extending a uniform thickness above the top surface over the entire width of such segment and adapted to engage signatures deposited on the gathering chain;
- and
- means adjacent the gathering chain for supporting the chain links along the return path of travel.
A pusher member for a gathering chain wherein the chain includes a plurality of segments joined to one another and wherein each segment has a width and an upper surface, comprising:
- a body having an undersurface for placement on a segment upper surface and an engagement surface extending a uniform thickness above the upper surface over at least a width of a segment for engaging a signature;
- and
- means for securing the pusher member to a segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.