Set finishing device having a single motor driven apparatus for positioning the set finishing device in a plurality of different finishing stations and moving the set finishing device into and out of finishing position

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive means comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft for to rotating in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• and,
• the moveable set finishing station including means operatively connecting the moveable set finishing unit to the rotating shaft of the translational drive means for moving the set finishing unit sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returning the set finishing unit to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft.

A set finishing method for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• utilizing a moveable set finishing unit having a home position having a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• providing a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• providing a translational drive mechanism means comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft, and rotating the translational drive mechanism in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• and,
• moving the set finishing unit sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returning the set finishing unit to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• and,
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having
• formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• and,
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction;
• and
• in at least one of the first translational section and the second translational section the generally helical groove further comprising at least one generally flattened portion aligned with at least some of the plurality of finishing stations and adapted to permit motion of the traveling track groove follower in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction;
• in at least one of the first translational section and the second translational section the generally helical groove further comprising at least one generally flattened portion aligned with at least some of the plurality of finishing stations and adapted to permit motion of the traveling track groove follower in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• and,
• the traveling track groove further comprising a generally flattened portion positioned at the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction;
• in at least one of the first translational section and the second translational section the generally helical groove further comprising at least one generally flattened portion aligned with at least some of the plurality of finishing stations and adapted to permit motion of the traveling track groove follower in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• the traveling track groove further comprising a generally flattened portion positioned at the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction;
• and,
• the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction also corresponds to one of the plurality of set finishing stations.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction;
• in at least one of the first translational section and the second translational section the generally helical groove further comprising at least one generally flattened portion aligned with at least some of the plurality of finishing stations and adapted to permit motion of the traveling track groove follower in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• the traveling track groove further comprising a generally flattened portion positioned at the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction;
• the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction also corresponds to one of the plurality of set finishing stations;
• and,
• a pivotally mounted tray extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis, including a wedge plate having a curved lower surface with a curvature that increases the thickness of the wedge plate in the direction of movement of the moveable finishing unit from the retracted position to the operating position;
• and,
• a wedge engaging member contained on the moveable finishing unit and adapted to engage the curved surface on the wedge plate as the moveable finishing unit moves in the direction of movement from the retracted position to the operating position, to thereby pivot the pivotally mounted tray away from the moveable finishing unit.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction;
• in at least one of the first translational section and the second translational section the generally helical groove further comprising at least one generally flattened portion aligned with at least some of the plurality of finishing stations and adapted to permit motion of the traveling track groove follower in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• the traveling track groove further comprising a generally flattened portion positioned at the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction;
• the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction also corresponds to one of the plurality of set finishing stations;
• and,
• a pivotally mounted tray extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis, including a wedge plate having a curved lower surface with a curvature that increases the thickness of the wedge plate in the direction of movement of the moveable finishing unit from the retracted position to the operating position;
• a wedge engaging member contained on the moveable finishing unit and adapted to engage the curved surface on the wedge plate as the moveable finishing unit moves in the direction of movement from the retracted position to the operating position, to thereby pivot the pivotally mounted tray away from the moveable finishing unit;
• and,
• the finishing unit comprises an electrically operated finishing mechanism;
• and,
• wherein movement of the moveable finishing unit at a respective finishing station from the retracted position to the operating position actuates an electrical switch to operate the moveable finishing unit to perform the finishing operation.

A set finishing apparatus adapted for use with an image producing machine discharging sheets of paper in sets that are arranged for finishing, comprising:

• a moveable set finishing unit having a home position and a plurality of set finishing station positions located generally along a longitudinal axis, and having at least at each finishing station position a retracted position and an operating position, with each respective finishing station retracted position and operating position displaced from each other generally orthogonally to the longitudinal axis;
• a drive motor having an output drive shaft;
• a translational drive mechanism comprising a rotating shaft mounted generally parallel to the to the longitudinal axis and operatively connected to the drive motor output drive shaft and adapted to rotate in a rotating direction in response to rotation of the drive motor output drive shaft in a rotating direction;
• the moveable set finishing station being operatively connected to the rotating shaft of the translational drive mechanism in such a way as to be moved sequentially through each of the set finishing station positions and returned to the home position without changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output drive shaft or the rotating direction of the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism being adapted to move the moveable set finishing unit out of the retracted position and into the operating position by changing the rotating direction of the drive motor output shaft;
• the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft further comprising:
• an generally cylindrical outer surface of the rotating shaft having formed therein a traveling track groove;
• and
• the moveable set finishing unit further comprising:
• a traveling track groove follower attached to the moveable set finishing unit and adapted to engage the traveling track groove and move within the traveling track groove when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated;
• the traveling track groove further comprising:
• a generally helical groove having a first translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a first translational direction when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is rotated in the rotating direction such that the moveable set finishing station moves in the first translational direction to a position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis in the first translational direction and a second translational section adapted to move the traveling track groove follower in a second translational direction generally the reverse of the first translational direction and away from the position of maximum displacement along the longitudinal axis when the translational drive mechanism rotating shaft is continued to rotate in the rotating direction;
• in at least one of the first translational section and the second translational section the generally helical groove further comprising at least one generally flattened portion aligned with at least some of the plurality of finishing stations and adapted to permit motion of the traveling track groove follower in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
• the traveling track groove further comprising a generally flattened portion positioned at the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction;
• the position of maximum displacement in the first translational direction also corresponds to one of the plurality of set finishing stations;
• and,
• a pivotally mounted tray extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis, including a wedge plate having a curved lower surface with a curvature that increases the thickness of the wedge plate in the direction of movement of the moveable finishing unit from the retracted position to the operating position;
• a wedge engaging member contained on the moveable finishing unit and adapted to engage the curved surface on the wedge plate as the moveable finishing unit moves in the direction of movement from the retracted position to the operating position, to thereby pivot the pivotally mounted tray away from the moveable finishing unit;
• and,
• the finishing unit comprises an electrically operated finishing mechanism;
• wherein movement of the moveable finishing unit at a respective finishing station from the retracted position to the operating position actuates an electrical switch to operate the moveable finishing unit to perform the finishing operation;
• and,
• the finishing unit is a stapler.