Sheet sorting apparatus
US5169144A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2408/113
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sheet sorting apparatus of the shifting tray type employs a pair of helical coils, each coil being predominantly wound with a number of turns of a first pitch, and containing at least one turn of a second, coarser pitch. The ends of each coil are held by through holes of a center rod that extends along the longitudinal axis of each coil, a coil and center rod thus forming a coil assembly. Each center rod is rotationally supported and has a rotational drive coupling attached at one end; a rotational driver being attached thereto is able to rotate both coil assemblies in the same direction at the same speed. A number of trays are arranged in a vertical stack, each tray capable of supporting a number of sheets and having a tray lift insert attached at each side. The tray lift inserts each have a helical passageway therethrough for accepting at least one revolution of one coil therein. The trays are oriented such that the inserts are engaged with the coils, the coils thereby holding the trays in position in the vertical stack. When the rotational driver rotates the coil assemblies, the tray lift inserts traverse the coils, causing the trays to change vertical position. All trays move…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.