Abstract: A linkage arrangement for handling sheets in a sheet accumulator including an accumulation gate and a locking over center mechanism. The accumulation gate pivotally mounts to a support structure of the accumulator and includes a stop surface for traversing the sheet path. The stop surface is movable between an interference position and a release position wherein the interference position inhibits the travel of sheets along the sheet path, and the release position releases the sheets for continued travel along the sheet path. The locking over center mechanism includes longitudinally aligned actuating and connecting arms. The actuating arm pivotally mounts to the support structure about a rotational axis while the connecting arm pivotally mounts to the accumulation gate at one end and pivotally mounts to the actuating arm at the other end. The locking over center mechanism inhibits motion of the accumulation gate in response to a force applied to the accumulation surface.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for feeding a sequential plurality of sheets having a sheet feed path for guiding sheets in a sheet feeding direction through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising rollers for driving sheets along the sheet feed path, and a trailing edge deflector deflecting means located on the sheet feed path, the trailing edge deflector being arranged to deflect the trailing edge of a leading sheet to ensure overlap by a following sheet on a predetermined side of the leading sheet.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for paper collations having an accumulation chamber for receiving sheet material, the chamber defined by a fixed guide on one side, a movable guide on the other side and a movable stop member at one end. Rollers are included for driving the sheet material against the stop member, and gates are provided for moving the movable guide between a first position in which it is spaced from the fixed guide by a gap sufficiently small to prevent buckling of the sheet material as it is driven by the rollers against the stop member, and a second position in which the movable guide is spaced away from the fixed guide for discharge of the sheet material from the chamber.