Abstract: A trimming apparatus for edge trimming books including a trimmer knife assembly and a conveying apparatus for conveying the books along a path of movement into aligned relationship with the trimmer knife assembly. The conveying apparatus includes a pair of horizontally extending endless conveyor chains positioned in parallel on adjacent sides of the path of movement and including outwardly extending pusher members for engaging longitudinal edges of the books and moving them along the path of movement. A pair of vertically extending guide members are positioned laterally outwardly of the endless chains for engaging the ends of the books and moving them into proper lateral alignment with the path of movement.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus for edge trimming books including a trimmer knife assembly and a conveying apparatus for conveying the books along a path of movement into aligned relationship with the trimmer knife assembly. The conveying apparatus includes a pair of horizontally extending endless conveyor chains positioned in parallel on adjacent sides of the path of movement and including outwardly extending pusher members for engaging longitudinal edges of the books and moving them along the path of movement. A pair of vertically extending guide members are positioned laterally outwardly of the endless chains for engaging the ends of the books and moving them into proper lateral alignment with the path of movement.

Abstract: An electric circuit interlock system which senses the position of the plurality of doors associated with a machine enclosure, the enclosure providing a safety guarding. The electric safety interlock system disables a main drive motor system when any one of the plurality of access doors is ajar. A manual override jog button is integrated into the electric safety interlock system at each of the plurality of access doors for jogging the main drive motor system. When any more than one of the plurality of access doors are open, each and every associated manual jog buttons must be actuated simultaneously to jog the main drive motor system (logical AND).

Abstract: A feeder-folder unit for use in folding paper sheet stock and delivering it to a signature gathering machine comprises a main frame with a hopper assembly carried by the main frame for receiving and storing a supply of sheets of paper stock. A sheet extractor and transfer drum assembly is located adjacent the hopper for extracting individual sheets of paper stock from the hopper means and conveying the extracted sheets along a path to a scoring and folding unit located adjacent the path. The hopper assembly includes a pair of spaced support surfaces for supporting the sheets of stock and intermittently actuated drive chains are provided for driving the sheets along the support surfaces toward the sheet extractor and transfer drum assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for gathering signatures including a hopper for holding a supply of signatures and a rotatable transfer drum positioned horizontally adjacent thereto for extracting a signature from the supply and carrying the signature in a first path about the periphery of the transfer drum. An adjustable stop is provided for limiting the movement of the signature along the first path to cause the signature to be stopped with its front edge portions at a predetermined location. A first spreader drum is mounted beneath the transfer drum assembly with its outer peripheral surface nearly tangential to the outer peripheral surface of the transfer drum at the predetermined location. Grippers are carried by the spreader drum for engaging the front edge portions of the signature engaged with the stop and conveying the signature away from the transfer drum along a second path.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a plurality of feed stations (10, 12, 14) which stack sheets on an inclined conveying surface (16). A conveyor (20) continuously conveys the stacks along a workpath (w) to a stitcher assembly (B). The stitcher assembly includes a frame assembly (100) having a stitcher head mounting bar (130) and a clincher mounting bar (136) on which stitcher heads and clinchers are mounted in cooperative relationship. A power take-off assembly (54) rotates a stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft (250) in coordination with advancement of the conveyor. The stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft rotates lever arms (260, 262) which are connected by connecting links (264, 266) with a stationary structure such that the frame assembly is cyclically reciprocated longitudinally along the workpath.

Abstract: A chain conveyor (40) continuously feeds workpieces from a plurality of feed stations (10, 12, 14) to a reciprocating work station (B). A power supply (D) includes an electric motor (100) for providing motive power to the apparatus, and an electric power control circuit (102) for controlling the amount of electric power supplied to the motor. The power control circuit includes a plurality of resistive elements (124a, 124b, 124c) connected in series between the motor and power supply lines (112a, 112b, 112c). When a jog switch (126) is held closed, electrical power is provided to a main control relay (120) closing normally open relay contacts (120a, 120b, 120c). This provides electric power to the motor though the resistive elements causing the motor to be rotated at a slower speed. When a run switch (130) is closed concurrently with the job switch, a time controlled switch (144) starts timing a preselected duration while the motor rotates at the slower speed .

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a plurality of feed stations (10, 12, 14) which stack sheets on an inclined conveying surface (16). A conveyor (20) continuously conveys the stacks along a workpath (w) to a stitcher assembly (B). The stitcher assembly includes a frame assembly (100) having a stitcher head mounting bar (130) and a clincher mounting bar (136) on which stitcher heads and clinchers are mounted in cooperative relationship. A power take-off assembly (54) rotates a stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft (200) in coordination with advancement of the conveyor. The stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft rotates lever arms (210, 212) which are connected by connecting links (214, 216), with a stationary structure such that the frame assemby is cyclically reciprocated longitudinally along the workpath.