Abstract: A device for conveying product stacks of widely differing thicknesses includes counteracting belt conveyors which are each defined by supported operating strands. At least one of the belt conveyors is adjustable relative to the other such that the stack receiving space therebetween is adjustable as a function of the thickness of the stacks to be transported. The spacing adjustment permits variation of the gap in which the stacks are clamped at either of the receiving or discharge end regions of the apparatus. In a preferred device, the upper belt conveyor includes a swivel frame from which a plurality of resiliently biased pressure rollers are supported. Actuators, responsive to sensed stack thickness, produce tilting of the swivel frame about an axis which is itself movable in a plane oriented transverse to the direction of stack movement.

Abstract: A press for stitching book block sections employs a transport system for transporting book sections to a stitching station. Carriages are mounted to an endless conveyor. A saddle is pivotally mounted to each of the carriages. The book sections are received on the saddle and transported to the stitching station in a continuous fashion. The pivotal swing of the saddles is controlled by rollers engaging cam paths as the conveyor is circulated.

Abstract: In a delivery unit for bookbinding machines, book blocks released by the transport grippers of an adhesive-binding apparatus are transported by a conveyor along a downward-inclined linear path segment which is followed immediately by a horizontal path segment. The conveyor comprises an endless chain drive, routed around reversing sprockets, which transport carrier plates are positioned on the chain at regular intervals. The carrier plates are comprised of individual plate links which are pivotally interconnected but which support each other so that they cannot sag in the loading direction. The leading side of each carrier plate is pivotally coupled to the chain drive, while its trailing side is coupled to the chain drive via a slide-guide.

Abstract: A machine for shearing the pile of napped cloth includes a shearing bar and a shearing blade spaced by a variable gap from the bar. A control arrangement in accordance with the invention includes a sensing device for sensing the thickness of the base portion of the material and a further sensing device for measuring the variable gap. Signals from both sensing devices are compared and the output difference, if any, is used to actuate controls which adjust the variable gap.