U.S. patent number 3,685,712 [Application Number 05/070,737] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-22 for stapling apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to William P. Kukucka, James E. Summers, Lyman H. Turner.
United States Patent |
3,685,712 |
Turner , et al. |
August 22, 1972 |
STAPLING APPARATUS
Abstract
Stapling apparatus used for stapling copy sheets into booklets
produced from documents copied in repeated cycles which includes a
tray mechanism having movable side guide members capable of
receiving different size sheet material fed along a predetermined
path from a processor. The sheet material is stopped by a gate
mechanism which is positioned adjacent to the tray mechanism and is
operative to move from one position in the sheet path to a second
position out of the sheet path in response to discrete electrical
signals. The stapling assembly is operative to drive staples one
staple at a time into each pile of sheets collected and held in
registration by the tray mechanism and gate mechanism in response
to electrical signals. A solenoid actuated eject roll mechanism is
used to eject the stapled pile of sheets after the gate mechanism
has been lifted out of the gate path and move the staple pile to
the receiving tray. A control circuit supplies the signals
necessary to carry out the program logic of the various components
of the stapling apparatus in timed relation.
Inventors: |
Turner; Lyman H. (Pittsford,
NY), Kukucka; William P. (Henrietta, NY), Summers; James
E. (Fairport, NY) |
Assignee: |
Xerox Corporation (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
22097076 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/070,737 |
Filed: |
September 9, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
227/3; 227/7;
227/45; 227/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42C
1/12 (20130101); B65H 39/04 (20130101); B65H
2404/1114 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B42C
1/12 (20060101); B65H 39/04 (20060101); B65H
39/00 (20060101); B27f 007/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;227/2,3,4,5,6,7,28,30,39,40,45,99,100,101 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Custer, Jr.; Granville Y.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Stapling apparatus comprising
tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet
material along a predetermined path,
gate means positioned adjacent said tray means operative to move
from one position in the sheet path to block the movement of sheet
material therealong to a second position out of the sheet path in
response to discrete electrical signals,
stapling means operative for driving staples one at a time into
sheet material collected and held in registration by said gate
means and said tray means in response to discrete electrical
signals,
eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheet material upon
actuation of said gate means to a position out of the sheet path,
and
circuit means to control the operation of said gate means, stapling
means and eject means in a predetermined sequence.
2. Stapling apparatus comprising
tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet
material along a predetermined path,
gate means positioned adjacent said tray means operative to move
from one position in the sheet path to block the movement of sheet
material therealong to a second position out of the sheet path in
response to discrete electrical signals,
stapling means operative for driving staples one at a time into
sheet material collected and held in registration by said gate
means and said tray means in response to discrete electrical
signals,
eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheet material upon
actuation of said gate means to a position out of the sheet
path,
circuit means to control the operation of said gate means, stapling
means and eject means in a predetermined sequence, and
a rotating paddle member positioned in the sheet path in front of
said gate means for imparting a force on said sheet material at
right angles to the path against a one of said guide members.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 where said side guide members are
adjustable to accommodate different size sheet material transported
along the sheet path.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including an output receiving
tray means positioned to receive stapled piles of sheet material
from said eject means and operative to lower continually to
maintain a constant level with the sheet path as the sheet material
is collected thereon.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein output receiving tray
means includes adjustable side guide members operatively connected
to said side guide members of said tray means for movement in
conjunction therewith.
6. In a copying apparatus for producing stapled piles of copies
from documents advanced from a supply source to a copier platen and
then returned to the supply source in repeated cycles, and improved
stapling apparatus for stapling the copies in sets corresponding to
the documents being copied comprising
tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet
material along a predetermined path,
gate means adjacent said tray means operative to move from one
position in the sheet path to a second position out of the sheet
path in response to the discrete electrical signals,
stapling means operative to drive staples one at a time into a pile
of sheets collected in registration by said gate means and tray
means in response to discrete electrical signals,
eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheets upon said gate means
being moved to a position out of the sheet path,
circuit means to control said gate means, stapling means and eject
means in timed sequence with the operation of said copier machine,
and
a rotating paddle member positioned in the sheet path in front of
said gate means for imparting a force on said sheet material at
right angles to the path against a one of said guide members.
Description
This invention relates to apparatus for automatcally printing and
stapling sheets into booklets.
As is well known in the art of bookmaking, it is generally
necessary to first print or copy sheets and then gather groups of
different sheets in a definite order referred to as collating. The
operation of printing and then collating sheets into booklets
usually requires several steps, the last of which is taking one
sheet from each of a number of printed stacks and putting these
sheets together in the order desired.
Normally the collating of the sheets into booklets by hand is slow
an cumbersome. Also, the number of people necessary is considerable
and the likelihood of making a mistake great.
Present devices for mechanically collating sheets into booklet form
have the disadvantage of being prolix and costly and have not been
entirely satisfactory.
The present invention enables automatic collating and stapling of
sheet material into booklets. To accomplish this, a stapling
apparatus accepts copy sheets from a processor and registers them
in a pile, and then drives staples one at a time in sequence to
form finished booklets.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the
printing of booklets.
It is another object of the present invention to enable copy sheets
from a processor to be stapled into packs in a manner more simple
and cheaper than heretofore.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system
for producing collated sets of copies from precollated document
material to be reproduced.
It is another object of the present invention to provide method and
apparatus for stapling sheet material in a manner more expeditious
than heretofore.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a staple
finishing apparatus which is simple and compact in design.
These objects as well as others will become more apparent upon
considering the following description which is to be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copying machine incorporating a
finishing apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 1a is a view of the machine control panel section for the
finishing apparatus;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the exterior of the finishing
apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the finishing apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a end sectional view of the finishing apparatus;
FIGS. 4a- c are end sectional views illustrating the various
positions for the the cover of the finishing apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the finishing apparatus with parts in
section to illustrate certain details thereof;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sheet receiving tray assembly;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a paddle wheel;
FIGS. 7a-c illustrate in sequence the action of a rotating paddle
wheel on moving sheet material;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are side and end views, respectively, of the staple
head assembly;
FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are sectional views illustrating
sequentially the details of operation of the stapling head
assembly;
FIGS. 14 and 15 are sectional views illustrating details of the
feed of the staple roll;
FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic showing of the staple drive circuit;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the side stacking assembly;
FIG. 18 is a side view of the output receiving tray assembly
illustrating details of the elevation control thereof; and
FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 are diagrams of the control circuits of the
finishing apparatus.
GENERAL
For a general understanding of reproduction apparatus with which
the present invention may be incorporated, reference is made to
FIG. 1 wherein various components of a typical electrostatic
printer system are illustrated. The printer system is of the
xerographic type and is generally designated with the reference
numeral 10. As in all xerographic systems, reference light image of
an original to be reproduced is projected onto the sensitized
surface of xerographic plate to form an electrostatic latent image.
Thereafter, the latent image is developed with toner material to
form a xerographic powder image corresponding to the latent image
on the plate surface. The powder image is then electrostatically
transferred to a record material such as a sheet or web of paper or
the like to which it may be fused by a fusing device whereby the
powder image is caused permanently to adhere to the surface of the
record material.
The xerographic processor indicated by the reference numeral 11 is
arranged as a self-contained unit having all of its processing
stations located in a unitary enclosure or cabinet. The printer
system includes an exposure station at which a light radiation
pattern of a document to be reproduced is positioned on a glass
platen 12 for projection onto a photoconductive surface in the form
of a xerographic belt 13. The document is transported by a
recirculating document feed apparatus 15 from the bottom of a stack
17 on a supply tray 19 to the platen for exposure and then returned
to the top of the supply tray on completion of the exposure until
the entire stack has been copied at which time the cycle may be
repeated as described in copending U.S. application Ser. No.
781,287, filed on Dec. 4, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,512, issued
Jan. 19, 1971 entitled Document Feed Apparatus and commonly
assigned with the present invention.
Imaging light rays from the document as flash illuminated by lamps
18 are projected by a first mirror 20 and a projection lens 21 and
another mirror 23 onto the belt 13 at the focal plane for the lens
21 at a position indicated by the dotted line 25.
As an interface structure and for unobstructive optical
projections, the side of the cabinet is formed with an enlarged
rectangular opening to permit the projection of image light rays
from the lens 21 to the mirror 23. Similarly, the cabinet
supporting the document plane is formed with a corresponding
rectangular opening that mates with the opening in the printer
cabinet when the two cabinets are operatively joined together for
copy/duplicating purposes. Suitable light-tight gaskets may be
utilized adjacent the exterior of each opening in the cabinets in
order to minimize the leakage of unwanted extraneous light.
The xerographic belt 13 is mounted for movement around three
parallel arranged rollers 27 suitably mounted in the frame of
processor 11. The belt may be continuously driven by a suitable
motor (not shown) and at an appropriate speed corresponding to the
discharge responsive the photoconductive material that comprises
the belt and the intensity of the imaging light rays from the
document. The exposure of the belt to the imaging light rays from
the document discharges the photoconductive layer in the area
struck by light whereby there remains on the belt an electrostatic
latent image of figuration corresponding to the light image
projected from the document. As the belt continues its movement,
the electrostatic latent image passes a developing station at which
there is positioned a developer apparatus 29 for developing the
electrostatic latent image. After development, the powdered image
is moved to an image transfer station whereat record material or
sheet of paper just previously separated from a stack of sheets 30
is held against the surface of the belt to receive the developed
powder image therefrom. The sheet is moved in synchronism with the
movement of the belt during transfer of the developed image. After
transfer, the sheet of paper is conveyed to a fusing station where
a fuser device 31 is positioned to receive the sheet of paper for
fusing the powder thereon. After fusing of the powder image, the
sheet is conveyed through an opening in the cabinet to a finishing
apparatus 32 for stapling or side stacking in a manner as will be
described more fully hereinafter. The sheets are separated from the
stack and fed from the tap of the stack by means of a separator
roll device 33 and timed sequence of the movement of the developed
latent images on the belt 13.
Further details of the processing devices and stations in the
printer system are not necessary to understand the principals of
the present invention. However, a detailed description of these
processing stations and components along with the other structures
of the machine printer are disclosed and copending application Ser.
No. 731,934, filed May 24, 1968, and Ser. No. 756,598, filed Aug.
30, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,071, issued Aug. 3, 1971, which
are commonly assigned with the present invention.
It will be appreciated that the printer system may be operated in
conjunction with a roll converter unit indicated by the reference
numeral 35. The roll converter unit 35 is adapted to convert a
relatively large roll of paper 36 into various sized of sheets of
paper by means of a cutter device 37 and a suitable control system
(not shown) arranged to control cutting and feeding of the
individual sheets into operative cooperation with the separator
roller 33. It will be appreciated that operative cooperation is
assured between the various units operating with the printer system
by the physical association of the cabinets for the units and the
matching openings which enable full cooperation of the imaging
light rays and sheet transport path between the units. In this
regard, locking clamps may be provided on all the units for
preventing the inadvertent movement of such units during use and
interlocks which is an alignment device may be utilized on each
unit for ensuring upper alignment and to terminate or suspend
operation in the event mis-alignment or separation of the units
occur. For facility and needs of operation, each of the units
provided with caster wheels and locking brakes thereby aiding in
the movement of the units into and out of cooperative
engagement.
FINISHING APPARATUS
The finishing apparatus 32 comprises a frame having a main body
housing 51 and cover 52 which is connected to the frame by rods 54
and 55 against the action of spring sets 57 and 59 (FIG. 3)
encircling the rods to enable a pop open position of the cover as
well as a fully raised position to permit access into housing 51 as
will become more apparent. Housing 51 has hook members 61 extending
from the lower portion to secure the frame to the processor 11 as
previously mentioned.
Finishing apparatus 32 includes an input receiving tray assembly
70, a stapler group 72, a stapler head assembly 74, a side stacking
assembly 76 and an output receiving tray assembly 78. Input
receiving tray assembly 70 comprises an adjustable input receiving
tray 105 which serves to guide the sheet material along a path from
the processor into the finishing apparatus. The tray is adjustable
for varying paper width which may accept, as for example, 81/2
.times. 11 paper up to 9 .times. 14 paper. Tray assembly 70 has a
left hand guide 107 and right hand guide 109 which are connected by
a pair of bar or rod members 111 and 113. Bar or rod members 111
and 113 are formed with elongated slots 115 and 117, respectively,
to enable sliding movement of the bar members relative to the
machine frame. Pin members 119 and 121 serve to guide the bar
members 111 and 113, respectively, in their movement at right
angles to the sheet path. In order to ensure that the bar members
111 and 113 are moved equal and opposite distances from the
centerline of the sheet path, a sprocket gear 125 secured to the
frame meshes with teeth 127, 129 formed on the bar members 111,
113, respectively. To position the tray assembly, the machine
operator depresses a tray release handle 131 which when engaged
enables guide 107 to be moved relative to the machine frame which,
in turn, moves bar 111 which, in turn, drives the gear sprocket 125
which then drives bar 113 and in equal and opposite direction from
movement imparted through bar 111 thereby moving guide 109 to an
equal and opposite position relative to the center line of the
sheet path. It will be noted that a wire 135 received in a sleeve
137 which is clamped to the frame by clamps 139 which serve to
impart movement to a bar 141 associated with the side stacking
assembly 76 as will be described hereinafter. Bar 141 has teeth 143
formed therein which mesh with a sprocket gear 145 which, in turn,
also meshes with teeth 147 on a bar 149 in similar fashion to bars
111 and 113. Bars 141 and 149 have guide plates 151 and 153 secured
thereto and have elongated slots 155 and 157 formed therein,
respectively. It will be further noted that release mechanism 131
has an indicator portion 161 which may be aligned with marks 163 on
the frame to facilitate the positioning of guides 107, 109, 151 and
153 to the various widths. By this arrangement when release handle
131 is actuated, the guides 107 and 109 are moved in equal and
opposite directions simultaneously. Guides 151 and 153 are moved in
equal and opposite directions which are equal to the movement
imparted to the guides 107 and 109 to establish the desired paper
path for a desired paper width.
STAPLE GROUP ASSEMBLY
The staple group assembly 72 comprises a registration gate 207
(FIG. 3) which stops the forward motion of the sheet material, a
paddle wheel 209 which moves the sheet to the forward left-hand
corner of the input receiving tray for stapling by stapling head
assembly 74 which drives staples into the sheet material positioned
on the receiving tray to produce finished booklets. Paper guides
107 and 109 which have been previously described assist in
positioning the sheet material coming from the processor and
received on the input receiving tray. As the sheet material is
received by the receiving tray by virtue of the exit speed of the
sheets from the processor, the sheets come into contact with paddle
wheel 209. Paddle wheel 209 comprises three blade members 213, 215
and 217 which are connected to a hub portion 219 which is received
on a shaft member 221. The blade members are made out of flexible
material such as polyurethane and are formed at a helix angle
.alpha. ranging between about 20.degree. to about 50.degree. and
preferably from 25.degree. to 35.degree. along the axis of shaft
221 for a purpose that will become more apparent. The blade members
have length to width ratio ranging from about 2:1 to 3:1 and
preferably are about one-half inch wide and about 11/4to 11/2inches
long and have a thickness ranging from about 0.050 inch to about
0.100 inch and preferably from about 0.065 inch to about 0.075 inch
to obtain proper blade flexing when contact is made with the sheet
material at the blade tips. Shaft 221 (FIG. 5) is driven by a motor
223 through gears and and 227 with gear 227 driving a pulley 229
which transmits motion to a pulley 231 mounted on the shaft 221
through an "O"-ring 233.
Referring now to FIGS. 7a, b, and c, there is shown in sequence the
movement imparted to a sheet by the paddle member 209. The sheet
moves initially to the left against paper guide 107 and then
forwardly as the paddle member continues to rotate on shaft 221.
The sheet is contacted by the outer tip of the blade 213. Due to
the helix angle of the blade with the shaft axis and the unique
shape and thickness of the blade, the blade is caused to flex to
the outside or to the left looking at the figures which imparts a
force on the sheet to the left carrying the sheet against the paper
guide 107. As the blade member 213 continues to rotate, the outside
tip moves out of contact with the sheet and the inner part of the
blade is placed in contact with the sheet causing a forward force
to be imparted to the sheet in the direction at which the paddle
member is being rotated moving the sheet up against a gate member
207. The inner portion of the paddle member 213 does not flex to
the same degree as the outer portion by virtue of the fact that the
outer portion commences to return to its original shape after being
flexed against the sheet thereby tending to impart a force against
further flexing of the blade member in a sideways direction or to
the left. As a result, the trailing portion or right-hand portion
of the blade member serves to carry the sheet in a forward
direction against the gate 207. Since the blade members 213, 215
and 217 are continuously acting on sheets, there is a continuous
action piling sheets to the left against guide 107 and gate 207
thereby ensuring that sheets received onto the tray are collected
in registration for stapling as will be described hereinafter.
Gate 207 stops the forward motion of the sheet material and is
received in a slot 235 formed in the input receiving tray. Gate 207
is maintained in a rest position in slot 235 by the action of a
spring and can be actuated to a raised position above the sheet
path by the energization of a solenoid SOL-1 as will be described
hereinafter. The stapling head assembly 74 places staples into the
sheets collected on the input receiving tray having been positioned
in corner registration against paper guide 107 and gate 207. For
this purpose, staple blanks are in the form of a roll and are held
together by a suitable coating which roll is commercially available
under the trade name Swingline, manufactured by Swingline, Inc.,
Long Island City, New York. Typically, the staple blank length is
about 1 inch such that a staple blank having a crown of about
one-half inch can be formed from the staple and inserted into the
sheets forming booklets. The staple length, of course, can be
varied depending upon the number of pages or sheets which are to be
stapled to form a booklet. Staple blanks are fed from the roll 241
by the action of the driving elements of the stapling head assembly
which will be described.
STAPLE HEAD ASSEMBLY
The staple head assembly 74 comprises a frame 301 on which is
mounted a solenoid drive assembly 303 which drives a staple forming
and punch assembly 305 which severs a staple from staple roll 241
and forms the staple blank into a generally U-shape which is then
driven against an anvil 307 which serves to clinch the staple into
the sheets forming a finished booklet. Solenoid drive assembly 303
includes a rotary solenoid SOL-2 which rotates a shaft 309 about
25.degree. when energized. Shaft 309 drives arm member 311 which is
connected to a punch member 321 of the staple forming and punch
assembly 305 by means of a lug 315. Arm 311 is connected to frame
301 by means of a spring 317 for returning arm member 311 to its
rest position when solenoid SOL-2 de-energizes. The solenoid drive
assembly 303 causes a reciprocating movement to be imparted to
punch member 321 which is received in a guide 319 mounted on frame
301. Punch member 321 is mounted on a frame member 323 which is
received in guides 325, 326 mounted on frame 301. It will be noted
that punch member 321 is formed with an opening 327 in which is
received a ball member 328. Thus, moving in conjunction with punch
member 321 and frame member 323 is a wedge member 329 which is
formed with a cavity 331 having a vertical wall 333 and a tapered
wall 335 which acts on ball member 328. As wedge member 329 moves
upwardly, ball member 328 is urged against a plunger member 339
acted on by a spring 341 received in a housing 343.
Included with the staple forming and punch assembly is a staple
forming finger member 345 which forms the staple blank into a
generally U-shaped around a mandrel member 347. At the same time, a
lever member 349 moving with the staple forming and punch assembly
contacts a mandrel finger 351 as best shown in FIG. 11. On further
movement of the staple forming and punch assembly in an upward
direction, lever 349 causes mandrel finger 351 to be displaced
against a spring 350 which, in turn, retracts mandrel member 347
out of the path of the staple as shown in FIG. 12. At the same
time, ball member 328 is contacted by tapered wall 335 of wedge 329
causing the ball member to be driven into housing 343 against
plunger 339 and the action of spring 341. When ball member 337
moves into housing 343, punch member 321 is free to move
independent of the staple forming and punch assembly 305. Upon
continued movement punch member 321 is moved to sever a staple from
roll 241 and carry the staple out of contact with staple forming
fingers 345 and against anvil 307 and serves to drive the U-shaped
staple into its fastening position against the sheets. Upon
de-energization of the solenoid SOL-2 spring 317 serves to retract
punch member 321, staple forming and punch frame member 323, wedge
329, staple forming fingers 345, mandrel member 347, lever member
349 and mandrel fingers 351 to their rest position by imparting a
downward force on punch member 321 through lug 315 and arm 311. At
this time, ball member 337 is urged back into the opening 327
formed in punch member 321 due to the action of spring 34- on
plunger 339. As the staple forming and punch assembly 305 is being
pulled downwardly into a rest position, the next staple from the
roll 241 is fed into a stapling position in the path of punch
member 321 for the next stapling cycle by a staple feed assembly
355.
Staple feed assembly 355 comprises a staple feed finger 357 which
is secured at one end to the staple roll housing 359 by a screw 361
and nut 363 in such a manner as to enable the finger 357 to be able
to be flexed. By this arrangement, staple feed finger 357 is
displaced to the right on the upward stroke of the staple forming
and punch assembly out of contact with the staple roll 241 but as
the staple forming and punch assembly returns to its downward
position, the staple feed finger 357 contacts the staple roll and
due to its spring action causes an individual staple to be fed
incrementally along its path to the left to a position in registry
with punch member 321. In this manner, staples are incrementally
fed into a feeding position in the staple path continuously with
the reciprocating action of the staple forming and punch assembly.
In order to ensure that a positive traction is maintained on the
staple roll along its staple feed path, there is provided an
anti-backup finger 365 which is mounted on the staple forming and
punch frame 323 by a compression spring 367 which, in turn, is held
in place by a clip 369 mounted on the frame. By this structure on
the upward stroke of staple forming and punch assembly, the
anti-backup finger 365 is maintained in contact with the staple
roll preventing the roll from slipping to the right. During the
feed of the individual staples of the staple roll the anti-backup
finger 365 by virtue of the angle formed with the path of the
staple roll enables the roll to be fed or advanced along its path
to the left without restricting the movement thereof.
After a stapling cycle has been completed, the finished booklet is
then ready to be ejected by eject rolls 380, 381. Eject rolls 380,
381 are mounted on a shaft 383 which is driven by a belt 385
mounted on pulley 387. Belt 385 is continuously driven by a motor
MOT-1 through another belt 389 which, in turn, drives exit rolls
390, 391. It will be noted that eject rolls 380, 381 are connected
to a solenoid SOL-3 which upon receiving a signal as will be
explained hereinafter causes the eject rolls to be raised into
contact with the stapled booklet against a pair of idler rolls 393,
394. By this arrangement, the stapled booklet is ejected from the
stapling head assembly toward the exit rolls 390, 391 which
together with idler rolls 396, 397 provide a further driving force
on the booklet toward receiving tray assembly 78.
STAPLE CONTROL CIRCUIT
In order to achieve a reliable operation, a control circuit is
associated with the stapling head assembly to provide a
predetermined pulse of sufficient duration to maintain the driving
stroke and staple forming operation of the stapling head assembly.
As shown in FIG. 16, the staple driving circuit comprises a full
wave bridge rectifier CR1 which provides a signal input to SCR Q2
and also an input to the coil of solenoid SOL-2 through a diode
CR5. It will be noted that one side of the coil of solenoid SOL-2
is connected to another SCR Q1. The other side of the coil is
connected to a terminal of the full wave bridge rectifier CR1. The
same side of the coil which is connected to CR1 is also connected
to a capacitor C1 which is coupled through a diode CR4. A
transformer T1 is coupled to capacitor C1 through diodes CR2 and
CR3. Transformer T1 serves to charge up the capacitor C1
continuously. At the same time, a charging current is also provided
by the bridge CR1 through the diode CR5 and resistor R2. It will be
noted that capacitor C2 also couples the SCR's Q1 and Q2.
In operation, a reed switch S1 which is coupled to the coil of a
relay K3 upon actuation of the relay turns on SCR Q1. At the same
time, the relay serves to shut off SCR Q2. It will be noted that Q2
is coupled to the bridge CR1 and will be shut off with each half
cycle. It will be further noted that SCR Q1 which receives its
power input from the transformer T1 in the form of a DC signal
after passing through diodes CR2 and CR3 will allow a power input
supplied continuously to SOL2 unless Q1 is otherwise turned off. In
order to maintain an input pulse of a predetermined duration
sufficient to accomplish the stapling operation, the coil of
solenoid SOL-2 receives its input signal from SCR Q1 which will
remain on until shut off by Q2. In order to shut off Q1, reed relay
switch S1 is de-activated by de-energizing relay K3 thereby moving
the reed switch from a terminal 2 to a terminal 1. At this time, a
power input from the bridge CR1 is then coupled with diac CR8 which
will not turn on Q2 until a sufficient voltage has been built up on
capacitor C3 to turn off SCR Q1. A capacitor C4 and a resistor R10
ensure that Q1 will not turn on immediately after being turned off.
The resistance of a resistor R3 is sufficient to enable the voltage
build up on capacitor C2 to be completed before diac CR8 is ready
to fire. By this arrangement, when Q2 turns on, Q1 will be turned
off and coil of the solenoid SOL-2 will be de-energized ensuring
that the stapling head assembly is returned to its rest position
ready to commence another cycle. To discharge the transient from
the inductance of the solenoid coil when SCR Q1 is turned off, a
resistor R4 and a diode CR6 are provided.
SIDE STACKING AND OUTPUT RECEIVING TRAY ASSEMBLIES
Side stacking assembly 76 cooperates with output receiving tray
assembly 78 to stack sheets in separately identifiable bundles
instead of in stapled booklets at the option of a machine operator.
Tray assembly 78 includes a tray 401 positioned at about a
71/2.degree. angle to the horizontal to facilitate receiving sheets
fed along the transport path. Tray 401 is mounted in the frame for
sliding movement in a vertical plane on slide shaft 403. The tray
is lowered as the sheets are received to maintain a uniform level
with the transport path by an elevator control system 404 as will
be described hereinafter.
The level of tray 401 is controlled by elevator control system 404.
Elevator control system 404 includes a pair of lamps 450 and 451
and corresponding phototransistors 453 and 454, respectively, and
an associated control circuit to be described including a
reversible motor MOT-3. To move the tray the motor MOT-3 is
energized to rotate a pulley 457 which carries a cable 459
connected to slide shaft 403. On the down movement during the side
stacking operation, motor MOT-3 is only energized in brief
intervals to effect incrementally lowering the tray due to a
braking action on the motor when power is shut off. Level control
is effected by signals received from phototransistors 453 and 454
which provide signals to the control circuit when darkened. It will
be noted that lamps 450 and 451 direct a beam of illumination
across the top leading edge of the sheets toward their
corresponding phototransistors. By this arrangement, the tray is
caused to be lowered until such time as light is received by the
phototransistors at which time power to motor MOT-3 will turn
off.
Side stacking assembly 76 serves to stack the sheets into shingled
or offset bundles on tray 401. The side stacking assembly comprises
a pair of pivotable paddle wheels 415 and 417 which are similar in
construction to paddle wheel 209. Paddle wheel 415 has blade
members 419, 420, and 421 and paddle wheel 417 comprises blade
members 423, 424 and 425. Paddle wheels 415 and 417 are mounted on
a shaft 427 which is driven by a motor MOT-2 through the pulley 429
which receives a belt 431 which is wrapped around another pulley
433 mounted on the shaft 427. In this manner, the paddle wheels 415
and 417 are continuously rotated so that the blade members are
advanced into contact with the topmost sheet received on tray 401
such that a sideways and ahead movement is imparted to the sheet as
previously described in the case of paddle wheel 209.
Each of the paddle wheels 415 and 417 may be alternately positioned
to contact with the sheets advanced onto the tray depending upon
whether the sheets of the topmost bundle are to be stacked on the
left of the tray. To accomplish this, the shaft 427 is supported in
a frame 435 which is suspended from a similar frame 437 on a pivot
pin 439. Secured on one end of the frame 435 is actuating arm 441
which is connected to a solenoid SOL-4. Upon receiving a signal as
will be described hereinafter, solenoid SOL-4 actuates arm 441 to
cause the frame 435 to pivot on pivot pin 439 so that paddle wheel
417 is in contact with the sheets received onto the tray causing
them to be stacked to one side. At the proper interval, solenoid
SOL-4 is de-energized which causes frame 435 to pivot due to the
weight of motor MOT-2 and paddle wheel 415 to be placed into
contact with the oncoming sheets resulting in stacking towards the
opposite side. By repeating this sequence, offset stacks or bundles
are formed of the sheet material received onto the tray.
MACHINE OPERATION
An understanding of the machine operation of the finishing
apparatus may best be understood in connection with the circuit
diagrams in FIGS. 19 to 21 and the finishing apparatus control
panel in FIG. 1a. The processor has a control section for the
finishing apparatus for selecting the mode of operation of the
finishing apparatus in either the stapling mode or the side
stacking mode. On the control panel are switches S10 and S11 for
machine operator to select one of the two modes of operation. Also
included in the control panel are indicator lamps L10 and L11 to
indicate when the finishing apparatus is in either of these modes
of operation. A clear switch S13 is provided to enable the
finishing apparatus selection to be dropped if the processor is in
a standby mode or if it is in a hold mode such as in the case of a
jam. Also included on the control panel is a lamp L12 to indicate a
jam has occurred at the finishing apparatus and a lamp L13 to
indicate that either of the input or output receiving trays is in a
overflow condition with too much sheet material received therein.
Another lamp on the control panel L14 indicates that there is a
misregistration between the paper size of the processor and the
finishing apparatus and also a lamp L15 to indicate a low staple
condition in the stapling head assembly. When the processor is
turned on the finishing apparatus receives power through a relay
K1. To actuate relay K1 power is received from a low voltage power
supply 701 which serves to energize a coil to pull in a contact K1
of the relay K1 which allows power to be received by A/C drivers
705. The low voltage power supply 701 also provides power to D/C
drivers 707 and a control logic 709 coupled to the D/C received by
A/C drivers 705. When the contact K1 of relay K1 is closed, power
is available to the eject motor MOT-1, paddle wheel motor MOT-4,
the elevator motor MOT-3, the side stack paddle wheel motor MOT-2,
the eject solenoid SOL-3, the side stack solenoid SOL-4, the lamp
drive transformer T2, and the transformer T1 and bridge rectifier
CR1 of the staple drive circuit.
In the stapling mode of operation, the staple switch S10 of the
control console is depressed. When the processor commences
printing, control logic 709 supplies a signal to a driver 705 which
energizes a relay K2. Relay K2 energizes contact K2 which turns on
motors MOT-1, MOT-2, MOT-4, and transformer T1 and bridge rectifier
CR1. When this occurs the copies from the processor entering the
finishing apparatus are received on the input receiving tray 105
and each copy contacted by the paddle wheel 209 which then urges
the copy sheet forward and to the left against the guide 107 and
the registration gate 207. Succeeding copies are fed on top of the
preceding sheets by the paddle wheel 209 which is driven by the
motor MOT-4. When the last sheet of a stack is received in the
tray, the control of the processor indicates that this condition
exists to the control logic 709 which then actuates a relay K3.
When relay K3 is actuated, Q1 of the staple driving circuit is
turned on and the coil of the solenoid SOL-3 energized which causes
the stapling head assembly to be actuated into a stapling
operation. When this occurs, a staple from the staple roll is
severed and fastened to the sheets. Relay K3 is then de-energized
turning on SCR Q2 which, in turn, turns off SCR Q1 to de-energize
the coil of the solenoid SOL-3 which returns the stapling head
assembly to its rest position and at the same time advances the
feed of the staple roll to position the next staple for the next
stapling operation due to the action of staple feed finger 357.
When the staple head assembly starts to return to its rest
position, the control logic 709 provides a signal to a driver 711
which is coupled to the gate solenoid SOL-1. When SOL-1 is
energized, gate 207 is retracted in an upward position out of the
path of the sheets. At the same time, a signal is provided to the
coil of solenoid SOL-3 which is energized by a driver 721 which is
energized by driver 723. When this occurs, eject rolls 380 and 381
are actuated against the idler rolls 393, 394 to eject the stapled
stack of sheets in a direction toward the output receiving tray
401. Exit rolls 390, 391 and idler rolls 396 and 397 cooperate to
maintain control of the sheets along its transport path into the
receiving tray as they leave the eject rolls 380 and 381. As the
stacks of sheets which are now stapled booklets are received by the
receiving tray 401, the tray is lowered incrementally to maintain
the level of the topmost sheet on the tray at a predetermined
height with the transport path. Paddle wheel 415 contacts the
stapled stacks to help guide the sheets into the output receiving
tray.
In order to ensure that the receiving tray 401 is lowered at the
proper time intervals, there is a control circuit coupled to
elevator motor MOT-3 which is energized when a coil of relay K4 is
energized to pull in a contact K4. In order for the control logic
709 to provide a signal to a driver 727 for energizing relay K4 a
signal is received from a sheet stacking sensing circuit 730 which
includes phototransistors 453 and 454 which receive illumination
from lamps 450 and 451, respectively. Illumination from the lamps
450 and 451 is such as to impinge on the phototransistors 453 and
454 when the tray 401 is at the proper elevation. Thus, the sheets
start to collect, the path of illumination is blocked and the
resistance of the phototransistors increased. When this occurs, an
output signal is generated to operational amplifier 741 which is
set at a voltage level to provide an output signal to the control
logic 709. It will be noted that for this condition to occur, both
of the phototransistors 731 and 733 must be blocked for a
resistance increase to occur in both before and output signal is
sent to control logic 709. Desirably, lamp 451 is turned off during
the stapling mode since the thickness of the staples on the same
side assures reliable operation with lamp 450 only. Motor MOT-3 has
a brake which normally engages when power is not received as known
by those skilled in the art. In this manner, the movement of the
tray is incremental to provide a smooth reliable operation in a
downward direction.
For a side stacking mode of operation, side stack switch S11 on the
control panel is pressed. When this occurs, the eject roll motor
MOT-1, is energized to rotate eject rolls 380 and 381 and the side
stack motor MOT-2 energized to rotate paddle wheels 415 and 417
through a closing of a contact K2 which is caused when a relay K2
is energized from control logic 709. At the same time, a signal is
received by the gate solenoid SOL-1 to pull the gate into an upward
position out of the path of the sheets. At the same time, a signal
is received by a relay K7 to close a contact K7 to energize eject
solenoid SOL-3. As sheets are received in the receiving tray 205,
the sheets are advanced by the eject rolls 380, 381 and the exit
rolls 390 and 391 to feed the sheets directly to the output
receiving tray 399. As the sheets are fed through the exit rolls,
the sheets are driven sideways to the right by the side stack
paddle wheel 417. A signal is received from the processor to
control logic 709 to cause a signal to be sent to a relay K8 which
when energized closes a contact K8 to energize solenoid SOL-4
which, in turn, causes the side stack paddle wheel 417 to be
lowered into contact with the sheets and side stacked bundle
commences. At the completion of the run, solenoid SOL-4 is
de-energized and the side stack paddle wheel 415 lowered due to its
weight into contact with the sheets causing the side stack paddle
wheel 417 to be raised.
By continued actuation and de-actuation of the solenoid SOL-18 in
accordance with the control logic, the sheets received onto the
output receiving tray are stacked to the left or to the right to
form offset bundles or stacks corresponding to the input
information received by the processor. Tray 401 is incrementally
depressed downwardly in the same manner as described in connection
with the stapling mode of operation except when stacking with
paddle wheel 415, both lamps 450 and 451 0425 energized. When
stacking with paddle wheel 417, lamp 450 is energized only as in
the case of the stapling operation for a more reliable operation.
Upon completion of a run in either the stapling mode or the side
stacking mode, control logic 709 de-activates relay K2 which, in
turn, opens a contact K2 to de-energize eject roll motor MOT-1,
paddle wheel motor MOT-4 and the side stack motor MOT-2. At the
same time, if in the side stack mode of operation, relay K7 is
de-energized to open a contact K7 to de-energize the solenoid SOL-1
for eject rolls and solenoid SOL-3 for returning the gate to a rest
position.
A signal is then supplied to a solenoid SOL-5 which serves to
release the cover 52 from its locked condition against the action
of springs 57. It should be noted that when the cover solenoid
SOL-5 is energized, the cover is released to a position slightly
above the level of its normally closed position which then causes
the solenoid SOL-5 to be de-energized by control logic 709. The
machine operator then raises the cover 52 to its fully open
position closing a switch S5 causing a relay K5 to be energized
which closes a contact K5. When contact K5 closes, this energizes
motor MOT-3 to reverse its drive and raise the tray 401 to its
fully elevated position in which the sheet material is brought
directly upward to facilitate the removal thereof from the
finishing apparatus. When the tray 401 reaches its original
starting position, the relay K5 is de-energized by the control
logic 709 to open contact K5 thereby de-energizing motor MOT-3.
JAM DETECTION
Jam detection is provided for in the control circuit by a level
detecting circuit 775 which serves to signal control logic 709 when
sheets are present in the vicinity of the gate 207. To accomplish
this, a lamp 777 is positioned in the sheet path to provide
illumination toward a phototransistor 779 which is coupled to an
operational amplifier 781. When sheets are present in the sheet
path, illumination from lamp 777 is blocked and the resistance of
phototransistor 779 increased which causes the operational
amplifier 781 to increase in voltage resulting in a change in state
on the output side of the operational amplifier. When this happens,
control logic 709 times out to indicate that a jam has occurred in
the finishing apparatus and supplies a signal to the processor to
turn it off. Also, the control circuit includes a low staple detect
circuit 785 which serves to indicate to the control logic 709 when
a low staple condition has occurred in the staple head assembly. To
accomplish this, a lamp 787 is positioned to provide illumination
to a phototransistor 789 when the staple roll shows no staples are
present which causes the resistance of the phototransistor 789 to
increase and the output condition of an operational amplifier 791
to change which condition is indicated to the control logic
709.
Control logic 709 includes a counter for counting the sheets
transported along the sheet path into the finishing apparatus so
that an overflow condition can be detected. When this occurs, a
signal is supplied to the processor apparatus to indicate that an
overflow condition exists to turn the processor off.
* * * * *