Abstract: An item transport system includes an input transport for receiving items along a first transport path, an angle transport for conveying the items along a second transport path disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, an alignment transport for conveying the items along a third transport path disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the first transport path, and an alignment surface for engaging the items while the items are conveyed in the alignment transport. The alignment transport may include an alignment nip comprising a driven element and an idler element for engaging opposing surfaces of the items, a manifold, a source providing pressurized gas to the manifold, and an orifice in the manifold proximate to the third transport path, wherein the idler element is disposed in the orifice.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

Abstract: An item transport system includes an input transport for receiving items along a first transport path, an angle transport for conveying the items along a second transport path disposed at an angle with respect to the first transport path, an alignment transport for conveying the items along a third transport path disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the first transport path, and an alignment surface for engaging the items while the items are conveyed in the alignment transport. The alignment transport may include an alignment nip comprising a driven element and an idler element for engaging opposing surfaces of the items, a manifold, a source providing pressurized gas to the manifold, and an orifice in the manifold proximate to the third transport path, wherein the idler element is disposed in the orifice.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

Abstract: A platen structure to facilitate the transport of stacked sheet material conveyed along a transport deck of a sheet feeing apparatus. The platen structure comprises first and second segments connected by means of a compliant coupling. The first segment of the platen is operative to engage a face of the stacked sheet material and apply a stabilizing normal force thereon. The second segment of the platen is operative to engage and travel synchronously with a moving surface of the transport deck. Furthermore, the first and second segments are connected by means of a compliant coupling which is operative to facilitate the relative angular displacement of the first and second segments about at least one axis while maintaining the relative linear displacement therebetween about at least one of the other axes. The platen structure ensures reliable sheet material run-out by compensating for a reduction in sheet material weight as the final or last sheets of the stack are singulated/separated.

Abstract: A cut sheet feeder for feeding stacked sheets of material including a feed support deck defining a planar surface for supporting the stacked sheet material and a transport deck defining an inclined surface relative to the planar surface of the feed support deck. The inclined surface is operative to transport additional sheet material to the feed support deck and produce a cantilevered sheet material delivery profile. Furthermore, a rotating element is employed to engage a surface of the stacked sheet material, and separate a single sheet from other sheet material supported by the feed support deck. The cantilevered delivery profile reduces the weight acting on the stacked material, minimizes the friction developed between individual sheets of material and facilitates separation of the sheets by the rotating element. A platen structure may also be employed to bear against the stacked sheet material to ensure reliable sheet material run out.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.

Abstract: An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for delivering and feeding a stack of paper to a high-speed sheet feeder. A sheet handling cart is removably connectable to a docking station attached to the high-speed sheet feeder. The sheet handling cart comprises a paper trough which is liftable from the rest of the cart. The paper trough has a trough bottom which longitudinally forms an elongated opening narrower than the bottom of the paper trough, the elongated opening being dimensioned to accommodate a conveyor belt that will protrude upward through the rectangular opening, after the paper trough is lifted from the rest of the cart, in order to advance the stack of paper toward the high-speed sheet feeder.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for delivering and feeding a stack of paper to a high-speed sheet feeder. A sheet handling cart is removably connectable to a docking station attached to the high-speed sheet feeder. The sheet handling cart comprises a paper trough which is liftable from the rest of the cart. The paper trough has a trough bottom which longitudinally forms an elongated opening narrower than the bottom of the paper trough, the elongated opening being dimensioned to accommodate a conveyor belt that will protrude upward through the rectangular opening, after the paper trough is lifted from the rest of the cart, in order to advance the stack of paper toward the high-speed sheet feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a flat article being conveyed seriatim along a paper path without changing the orientation of the flat article with respect to a first direction of travel. The apparatus includes a deck having an upstream end for receiving a flat article being conveyed along a paper path in a first direction and a registration wall upstanding on the deck and spaced from the upstream end, the registration wall having a longitudinal axis defining a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. A drive assembly is operatively coupled to the deck in proximity to the registration wall and is operative to seize a first leading edge of a flat article traveling in the first direction on the deck and convey the flat article in the second direction such that the leading edge of the flat article abuts against the registration wall.

Abstract: An improved base includes a base pad member having a flange plate attached to the bottom thereof for cooperation with a flat plate mounted on a post inserted in the ground. The base plate may thus slide onto the ground plate in order to retain the base in position. The base has a special oversized, generally rectangular construction so that a portion of the base projects beyond the first base foul line where it may be tagged by a runner. The remainder of the base is positioned inside the foul line in the normal base position for tagging by a fielder. The separate parts of the base are preferably denoted by distinctive color or design. This configuration promotes safety.

Abstract: An improved base includes a base pad member having a flange plate attached to the bottom thereof for cooperation with a flat plate mounted on a post inserted in the ground. The base plate may thus slide onto the ground plate in order to retain the base in position. The base has a special oversized, generally rectangular construction so that a portion of the base projects beyond the first base foul line where it may be tagged by a runner. The remainder of the base is positioned inside the foul line in the normal base position for tagging by a fielder. The separate parts of the base are preferably denoted by distinctive color or design. This configuration promotes safety.