Abstract: A sheet intercept mechanism for temporarily retaining sheets released by the take-off grippers above a delivery pile at the output of a sheet fed printing press. The mechanism includes a horizontal support member and a clamping member normally in open position but having means for closing to capture the edge of a dropped sheet. A horizontal actuator coupled to the support member advances it to a sheet receiving position above the edge of the pile. Triggering means are provided coupled to the take-off grippers for closing the clamping member phased with the release of a sheet so that the clamping member clamps the dropped sheet preventing it, and any subsequently dropped sheet, from dropping upon the pile so as to permit the pile to be removed and a new pile board inserted. The triggering means is disabled as long as the horizontal support is in its retracted position and enabled only when the support is in sheet receiving position.

Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism of the type in which printed sheets are deposited by an endless conveyor upon a pile, the front of which is defined by vertical guide members. When it is desired to remove a sheet from the top of the pile for control purposes a supporting finger is interposed above the pile at the forward edge for temporarily intercepting the subsequent sheets, and the guide members are retracted so that the control sheet may be removed. It is the primary feature of the invention that provision is made for time delay, for example, by using a lost motion connection, to insure that the guide members are not retracted until the finger is fully interposed and to insure that the finger is not withdrawn until the guide members are fully restored to working position so that there will be hiatus during which a sheet might travel beyond the pile.

Abstract: A sheet delivery mechanism of the type in which printed sheets are deposited by an endless conveyor upon a pile, the front of which is defined by vertical guide members. When it is desired to remove a sheet from the top of the pile for control purposes a supporting finger is interposed above the pile at the forward edge for temporarily intercepting the subsequent sheets, and the guide members are retracted so that the control sheet may be removed. It is the primary feature of the invention that provision is made for time delay, for example, by using a lost motion connection, to insure that the guide members are not retracted until the finger is fully interposed and to insure that the finger is not withdrawn until the guide members are fully restored to working position so that there will be hiatus during which a sheet might travel beyond the pile.