Apparatus and method of automatically adjusting a document deceleration rate

A method of adjusting a rate at which a document is decelerated as it enters a sort pocket of a document processing machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• calculating a weight of t he document;
• generating a signal representing the weight;
• disposing a wave spring in the sort pocket;
• distorting the wave spring in response to the signal;
• and
• engaging the document with the wave spring to decelerate the document rate that is based on a physical configuration of the wave spring.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting a rate at which a document decelerates when entering a sort pocket of a document processing machine, the apparatus comprising:

• a track adapted for transporting the document;
• a guide wall;
• a stacker flag spaced away from the guide wall to define the sort pocket therebetween, the sort pocket communicating with the track so that the document exits the track to enter the sort pocket;
• a wave spring disposed proximate the guide wall so that the document engages the wave spring and is decelerated by the wave spring when the document enters the sort pocket;
• means for calculating the weight of the document, the calculating means producing a signal representing the weight of the document;
• and
• means for distorting the wave spring, the distorting means being responsive to the signal from the calculating means to vary a configuration of the wave spring depending on the weight of the document.

A method of adjusting a rate at which a document is decelerated as it enters a sort pocket of a document processing machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing one or more physical characteristics of said document prior to entry into said sort pocket, said sensors providing output signals representative of said sensed physical characteristics,
• disposing a wave spring in the sort pocket;
• distorting the wave spring in response to said signals;
• and
• engaging the document with the wave spring to decelerate the document at a rate that is based on a physical configuration of the wave spring.

A method for adjusting the rate at which a document is decelerated as it enters a sort pocket of a document processing machine, comprising:

• transporting said document along a track to said sort pocket;
• sensing one or more physical characteristics of said document with sensors as said document is transported along said track, said sensors providing output signals representative of said sensed characteristics,
• disposing a wave spring in said sort pocket;
• distorting the wave spring in response to said signals;
• and
• engaging the document with the wave spring to decelerate the document at a rate that is based on a physical configuration of the wave spring.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting a rate at which a document decelerates when entering a sort pocket of a document processing machine, the apparatus comprising:

• a track adapted for transporting said document to a sort pocket;
• one or more sensors disposed along said track, for sensing one or more physical characteristics of said passing documents, said sensors providing output signals representative of said sensed characteristics,
• a wave spring disposed in said sort pocket so that the document engages the wave spring when the document enters the sort pocket and is decelerated by the wave spring;
• means for distorting the wave spring in response to said output signals to decelerate the document at a rate that is based on a physical configuration of the wave spring.