Abstract: A gathering chain pusher member for use in a gathering conveyor system is configured in a manner to allow high speed binding to occur without deformation of signatures collected by the system.

Abstract: A signature conveyor system with automatic phase adjustment capability includes a conveyor for conveying a plurality of sheets in a conveyance direction wherein the conveyor is subdivided into a plurality of conveyor spaces and a motor for causing the conveyor to move at a speed in the conveyance direction. Packer boxes are spaced along the conveyor and each packer box periodically releases one of the sheets above the conveyor at a release time as the conveyor moves past the packer box. A phase changer is operatively coupled between the conveyor and the packer boxes and adjusts the release time based upon the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: In order to verify that a packer box on a binding line has successfully dropped the correct signature onto a gathering chain, a unique system and method are disclosed wherein the system includes utilizing common indicia in a preselected location on each of the signatures to be fed from the packer box and a scanner is provided along the gathering chain generally adjacent the packer box holding the signatures. The scanner is positioned relative to the gathering chain to scan for the common indicia in the region where the preselected location passes when one of the signatures has been fed to the gathering chain to occupy one of the chain spaces thereof, and the information gathered by the scanner is utilized to verify whether a correct one of the signatures occupies the chain space by utilizing the information which is gathered by the scanner.

Abstract: In order to avoid disruption of a stack of signatures, particularly when a cyclically operable signature feeding apparatus is temporarily disabled, the utilization of a unique disabling arrangement is contemplated. The signature feeding apparatus will generally include a driven rotary drum having a plurality of signature grippers disposed about the periphery thereof. The signature grippers are adapted to grip signatures seriatim from a signature supply hopper. A vacuum assembly is driven by a cam for shifting signatures seriatim from the signature supply hopper to the rotary drum for gripping by the signature grippers. The vacuum assembly includes a source of vacuum operatively associated with oscillating vacuum grippers. The signature feeding apparatus further includes a cam follower operatively associated with the vacuum assembly to control operation of the vacuum assembly responsive to engagement with a surface of the cam.

Abstract: In order to facilitate adjustment of the height of impaling pins, a signature supply station includes a pair of generally parallel side frame members each of which supports a rotatable impaling pin adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly includes supporting structure for a pair of impaling pins whereby the pins are supported between the side frame members for guided movement in generally vertically upward and downward directions, and it also includes an adjusting screw rotatable in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. With the signature supply station supporting signatures generally vertically, the adjustment assembly further includes interconnection structure or guided generally vertically upward and downward movement of the impaling pins responsive to clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement of the adjusting screw.

Abstract: A signature opening apparatus for receiving one signature at a time from a source of signatures fed to the apparatus in a steady stream. The apparatus includes an opening drum mounted for rotation on a shaft for delivering opened signatures to a continuous signature carrying chain. It utilizes at least one gripper assembly mounted for rotation with the opening drum for opening one signature at a time. The apparatus also includes a timing mechanism to allow the gripper assembly to initiate gripping of signatures at a first preselected point, to fully grip signatures at a second preselected point and to release signatures at a third preselected point. The gripper assembly includes an elongated countinuously curved finger having a first end mounted for rotation relative to the opening drum and a second end normally projecting beyond the opening drum. The apparatus also includes a seat as a part of the gripper assembly to be engaged by the second end of the finger.

Abstract: A kit for handling undersized signatures in a packer box having a signature feeding station, a main drum assembly, a delivery drum assembly and a continuous signature carrying chain. The kit includes a pair of register stop extensions adapted to be disposed in cooperative relation with spaced apart register stops. It also includes at least one guide roller extension bracket adapted to carry a guide roller which is removable from the bracket normally supporting the guide roller and is securable on the guide roller extension bracket for rolling movement relative thereto. The kit further includes a timing adjustment feature for causing grippers to release signatures at a point generally corresponding to the remote end of the guide roller extension bracket. With this arrangement, a packer box can be modified for handling undersized signatures.