Abstract: A gang safety latching mechanism includes (a) a torsion spring and bracket device having (i) a torsion spring subassembly (ii) a first bracket on the torsion spring subassembly having a first free position and a first loaded position, and (iii) a second bracket on the torsion spring subassembly having a second free position and a second loaded position; (b) an interference assembly defining a receiving area and including (i) an opening for passage of an end portion of the torsion spring and bracket device into and out of the receiving area, (ii) a knocker member for contacting the first bracket and (iii) a catch lip for trapping the second bracket within the receiving area; and (c) a gang locking member for locking the second bracket to the first bracket, thereby preventing unsafe separate simultaneous movement of the second movable and the first movable module relative to the main machine body.

Abstract: Parallel printing systems and methods incorporate inverter assemblies for not only inverting media during transport through the system but also to register the media or provide a velocity buffer transports with different drive velocities. The inverter assemblies can include the capability to optionally deskew the media and provide lateral registration corrections. The inverter assembly nip rollers are sufficiently spaced from process drive nip rollers to decouple a document in the inverter assembly from the highway paths. The method comprises combining the inverting function selectively with either the registering or the velocity buffering functions.

Abstract: Parallel printing systems and methods incorporate inverter assemblies for not only inverting media during transport through the system but also to register the media or provide a velocity buffer transports with different drive velocities. The inverter assemblies can include the capability to optionally deskew the media and provide lateral registration corrections. The inverter assembly nip rollers are sufficiently spaced from process drive nip rollers to decouple a document in the inverter assembly from the highway paths. The method comprises combining the inverting function selectively with either the registering or the velocity buffering functions.

Abstract: An anti-condensation baffle unit having two members which correspond to each other, which copied paper is transferred between the two members by at least one idler roller, and at least one muffin fan attached to the baffle unit to cool the area surrounding the baffle unit and the paper that passes through the baffle unit. The baffle unit further includes a plurality of slots, positioned such that the edge of the paper will not be caught by and consequently jam, which allow the air blown from fan to contact the paper and allows ventilation throughout the copying procedure.

Abstract: A device for inverting a sheet along a path in an electric photographic printing machine. A gateless sheet inverter is provided in which a curved portion of a sheet path branch intersects a second portion of the sheet path to form a curved inverter throat. As the sheet is driven from the curved branch portion of the path into the throat portion the beam strength of the sheet causes the trail edge of the sheet to flip toward a second nip leading to the second sheet path. A pair of reversing rolls captures the lead edge of the sheet to be inverted and then reverses to drive the sheets out of the second nip formed by a tri-roll arrangement. A sheet having a radius of curvature equal to or greater than the radius of curvature of the throat will be guided along the throat baffle and fed through the second nip. To further assist in assuring the trail edge flips to the second sheet path an air knife can be added at the intersection of the path branches to assist in moving the trail edge into the second path branch.

Abstract: A relief device for the tamping mechanism of an offset sheet set stacker. A sheet set stacker is provided having a plurality of retractable tamping mechanisms for alternately offsetting sheet sets within the stacker. Each tamping mechanism is provided with a spring biased follower arm which locks the tamping mechanism in an operative position. A relief device in the form of an oblong pivot mount allows the tamping mechanism to not only pivotally retract from an operative position but to also shift a slight amount transversely to the paper path process direction. This slight shift prevents a binding of the tamper against the just compiled sheet stack and minimizes the occurrence of sheet stack disturbance.

Abstract: An emergency lowering system for a vehicle mounted pantograph in which lever actuated trip valves are disposed at opposite ends of the pantograph current collector in a position to be actuated in the event that an overhead contact wire tends to slide off and end of the current collector. The trip valves control a relay air valve which is arranged to supply a relatively large volume of high pressure air to a pneumatic jack wherein the jack is connected to lower the pantograph. In a preferred embodiment the emergency lowering system is adapted to supply air at a higher pressure and larger volume than the normal lowering system whereby the pantograph is lowered at a faster rate in an emergency. For use in a train of vehicles the system includes a pressure responsive switch for detecting initiation of an emergency lowering condition and for providing a signal which can be used to effect lowering of all pantographs in the train if any one pantograph experiences an emergency condition.