Apparatus for handling signature bundles

• US 4,256,429 A
• Filed: 05/09/1979
• Issued: 03/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: D W Zimmerman Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: D W Zimmerman Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Dwyer, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, JOHNNY DAN
• Application Number:
  US06/037,460
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 294/34, 294/67 BB, 294/81 R, 294/86 R, 294/86 LS, 294/87 R, 294/88, 294/103 R, 294/DIG. 2, 414/590, 414/618, 414/620, 414/621, 414/622, 414/626, 414/763, 414/771, 414/780, 414/783, 414/784
• US Class Current: 414/626
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/321 Standing on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/42242 by acting on the outermost articles of the pile for clamping the pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/3045 on the outermost articles of the pile for clamping the pile
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/447 by hydraulic or pneumatic motors

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for handling signature bundles. The apparatus includes an inverted U-shaped frame with legs rotatably carrying clamping pads. The frame has a fluid-operated ram thereon for moving one leg toward and away from the other. One clamping pad is connected to a driven sprocket engaged by a chain. The chain is connected to a drive sprocket mounted on a drive shaft of a motor which is mounted on the frame. The frame also has a locator plate to aid in centering the clamping pads with the signature bundles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for handling signature bundles comprising a generally U-shaped frame including two spaced legs and horizontal frame members connected to ends of said legs and extending parallel to one another, fluid-operated means carried by said frame for moving one of said legs and the corresponding horizontal frame member toward and away from the other of said legs and the other horizontal frame member, a clamping pad rotatably carried by each of said legs and located on a common axis, means carried by said frame for rotating one of said clamping pads, locating means carried by said frame for engaging a signature bundle to aid in centering said clamping pads relative to the signature bundle, means connecting said locating means to one of said horizontal frame members, said connecting means comprising a fluid-operated cylinder carried by the horizontal frame member and a piston rod extending from said cylinder and affixed to said locating means for moving said locating means from the locating position to a retracted position to enable a signature bundle carried by said apparatus to be rotated.

2. Apparatus for handling signature bundles comprising a generally U-shaped frame including two spaced legs and horizontal frame member means connected to ends of said legs, a first clamping pad supported by one of said legs, a second clamping pad supported by the other leg and located on a common axis with said first clamping pad, means carried by said frame for rotating said second clamping pad, fluid-operated means carried by said frame for moving one of said clamping pads toward and away from the other of said clamping pads, locating means carried by said frame for engaging a signature bundle to aid in centering said clamping pads relative to the signature bundle, means connecting said locating means to said horizontal frame means, said connecting means comprising a fluid-operated cylinder carried by the horizontal frame means and a piston rod extending from said cylinder and affixed to said locating means for moving said locating means from the locating position to a retracted position to enable a signature bundle carried by said apparatus to be rotated.

3. Apparatus for handling signature bundles comprising a U-shaped frame including a first leg, a second leg, and horizontal frame member means affixed to an end of said first leg and to an end of said second leg, a fluid-operated cylinder carried by said frame, a first clamping pad rotatably carried by said first leg and facing toward said second leg, a second clamping pad rotatably carried by said second leg and facing toward said first clamping pad, said first clamping pad being movable toward and away from said second clamping pad by said fluid-operated cylinder, moving means carried by said frame for turning one of said first and second pads, locating means, and power driven moving means connecting said locating means and said horizontal frame member means to position said locating means in a locating position at a predetermined distance from said horizontal frame member means to aid in locating a signature bundle relative to said frame and for moving said locating means from a retracted position to the locating position and from the locating position to the retracted position to enable a signature bundle carried by said apparatus to be rotated.