Back to results
US 7,922,226 B2Granted
Compensating gripper with independent gripper adjustment
AssigneeGoss International Americas, Inc.
InventorRichard Daniel Curley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gripping device for gripping a printed product including a rotatable first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, a rotatable second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot, a first link connecting the first gripper arm and second gripper arm and a second link having a spring connected to the first link. A method is also provided.
Claims7
A printed product conveyor comprising a plurality of grippers for gripping a printed product each gripper including:
- a rotatable first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot;
- a rotatable second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;
- a first link rigidly connecting the first gripper arm and second gripper arm;
- and
- a second link having a spring, the second link connected to the first link;
- the first and second gripper pads gripping a printed product,
- the second link including a dowel and a plurality of sliding links,
- wherein the second link moves upward and the first link resists movement upward so a first sliding link compresses the spring due to resistance from the first link.
5 more elements
A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:
- conveying a printed product via a signature transport device;
- rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, the rotating occurring via a motor timed to the signature transport device;
- rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;
- moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;
- moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link;
- and
- moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product being conveyed on the signature transport device;
- the second link being connected to the first link, the second link compensating for different thicknesses in printed products.
5 more elements
A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:
- conveying a printed product via a signature transport device;
- rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, the rotating occurring via a motor timed to the signature transport device;
- rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;
- moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;
- moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link, the second link being connected to the first link, the second link compensating for different thicknesses in printed products;
- moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product being conveyed on the signature transport device;
- and
- compressing the spring as the first and second gripper pads move downwardly to grip printed product.
5 more elements
A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:
- rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot;
- rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;
- moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;
- moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link;
- and
- moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip a printed product;
- the second link being connected to the first link,
- sliding the second link upwardly as the first and second gripper pads grip a printed product;
- sliding a first sliding link of the second link downwardly;
- and
- compressing the spring of the second link.
8 more elements
A saddle stitcher comprising:
- a plurality of grippers for gripping a printed product;
- and
- an escalator tucker for lifting the printed product up to be gripped by the grippers, the escalator tucker being geared to the plurality of grippers,
- each gripper including:
- a rotatable first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot;
- a rotatable second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;
- a first link rigidly connecting the first gripper arm and second gripper arm;
- and
- a second link having a spring, the second link connected to the first link, the second link compensating for different thicknesses in printed products;
- the first and second gripper pads gripping a printed product.
7 more elements
A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:
- conveying a printed product via a signature transport device;
- rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, the rotating occurring via a motor timed to the signature transport device;
- rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;
- moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;
- moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link;
- and
- moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product being conveyed on the signature transport device;
- the second link being connected to the first link, the second link permitting gripping printed products of varying thickness without adjustment to the gripper.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.