Patent · US Expired

Loose element sheet stacking assistance system

US5005821A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 2, 1990
Grant dateApr 9, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 2, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65H31/08
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In a sheet stacking system, especially for a printer or copier set complier, in which sheets are sequentially fed for stacking into a stacking tray to a stacking registration wall position, a sheet stacking assistance and control system is provided by partially supporting and rotating an endless weighted chain-like lose element member, e.g., a metal bead chain, from above the stacking tray, preferably by two spaced and commonly driven pulleys, so that a first chain portion continuously moves downwardly towards the stacking tray in the path of said sheets being fed in the stacking tray to help pull them down, and then the chain flexes so that a substantial second chain portion continuously lies on the top sheet being stacked and continuously drags it towards the registration position, and then desirably an immediately following third chain section is pulled through the registration wall and sharply arcuately dropped there below the stack top level to continuously drag down the sheet edges there. This device has the ability to accommodate a wide range of stack heights and the ability to compile large stacks without requiring adjustment of the complier tray.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.