公开(公告)号：US06343686B1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-05

申请号：US09568242

申请日：2000-05-09

Applicant: John F. Whiting ,  Kay E. Metcalf

Inventor： John F. Whiting ,  Kay E. Metcalf

IPC: B65G4786

CPC classification number: B65G47/82 ,  B65G47/244 ,  B65H29/16 ,  B65H2301/33216 ,  B65H2301/33222 ,  B65H2301/42264

Abstract: A low cost, high-speed device for rotating a variable thickness substrate stacks in a short distance, and with neatness and precision. The substrate stack rotating device includes a lower rotating disk and an upper rotating disk that are located in a substrate path to receive a moving substrate stack. The upper disk is driven downward such that a substrate stack is pinched between the lower and upper rotating disks. The resultant clamping force helps maintain substrate stack integrity and neatness. Once a substrate stack is clamped, one of the disks is rotated, bring the substrate stack into a desired orientation. The upper rotating disk is then released, the substrate stack beneficially moves away from the disks, and the substrate stack rotating device is ready to accept another substrate stack.

Abstract translation: 用于在短距离内旋转可变厚度衬底堆叠的低成本，高速设备，并且具有整洁和精确度。 基板堆叠旋转装置包括位于基板路径中以接收移动的基板叠层的下旋转盘和上旋转盘。 上盘被向下驱动，使得基底堆叠被夹在下旋转盘和上旋转盘之间。 所产生的夹紧力有助于保持基板堆叠的完整性和整齐性。 一旦衬底堆叠被夹紧，其中一个盘被旋转，使衬底堆叠成所需的取向。 然后释放上部旋转盘，衬底堆有利地远离盘移动，并且衬底堆叠旋转装置准备好接受另一个衬底叠层。

公开(公告)号：US06227589B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-08

申请号：US09456149

申请日：1999-12-07

Applicant: James E. Brown ,  Jeffrey R. Simons

Inventor： James E. Brown ,  Jeffrey R. Simons

IPC: B65G4786

CPC classification number: B65H29/003 ,  B65H2402/54

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a conveying device for conveying printed products. More particularly, a gripper assembly having: (a) a first gripper part, having a clamping surface and an external surface; (b) a second gripper part, having a clamping surface and an external surface; wherein the first gripper part and the second gripper part are connected together for pivotal movement about a common axis, the first gripper part being pivotable between an open position and a clamping position in which it cooperates with the second gripper part to clamp a printed product under spring force; (c) a spring element arranged between the first gripper part and the second gripper part, which spring element imparts a biasing force on the first gripper part which biases the first gripper part into the clamping position; and, (d) at least one conforming biaser which conforms to the external surfaces of the first and second gripper parts and which biases the first gripper part into the clamping position. The present invention also provides a method for modifying a conventional gripper assembly to facilitate the improved handling of periodic large or heavy editions, for example, the Sunday edition of a daily newspaper, which method includes the installation of at least one conforming biaser into a conventional gripper assembly, wherein the conventional gripper assembly comprises: (a) a first gripper part, having a clamping surface and an external surface; (b) a second gripper part, having a clamping surface and an external surface; wherein the first gripper part and the second gripper part are connected together for pivotal movement about a common axis, the first gripper part being pivotable between an open position and a clamping position in which it cooperates with the second gripper part to clamp a printed product under spring force; and, (c) a spring element arranged between the first gripper part and the second gripper part, which spring element imparts a biasing force on the first gripper part which biases the first gripper part into the clamping position.