Abstract: A friction retard feeder adapted to feed sheets from a stack into a paper path located in a horizontal plane includes a tray which holds a stack of sheets at an angle of between 15.degree. and 20.degree. with respect to the paper path. A paddle wheel having a plurality of blades is positioned a predetermined distance in front of sheets stacked in the tray so that as the paddle wheel is rotated the blades in a first position strike the top sheet in the stack in a plane parallel to the top of the stack and separates it from the remaining sheets in the stack. Continued rotation of the paddle wheel causes the blades to deflect downward in front of the stack and thereby inhibit movement of sheets other than the top sheet from the stack. The tray also includes a high friction surfaced pad that cooperates with the paddle wheel in order to enhance the feeding of sheets near the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: A sheet accelerating device driven by the single-revolution shaft of a feeding attachment with a front-feed unit which runs faster or slower than the single-revolution shaft is constructed in such a way that high feeding accuracy is also guaranteed at high operating speeds, and this is achieved by the provision of an intermediate gear between the advancing unit and the single-revolution shaft, the intermediate gear having a step-by-step motion gear and control gear which allows adjustment of the speed of the rotating element of the step-by-step motion gear for a part of its rotation in relation to the speed of the single-revolution shaft.

Abstract: A continuously movable conveyor supports a plurality of articles for movement along a path leading to and beyond a zone at which selected articles are transferred from and returned to the conveyor. At the transfer zone is stop apparatus movable from a position clear of the path of movement of the articles on the conveyor to a position in which it projects into such path of movement so as to engage and stop an oncoming article as the conveyor continues to move. The stop apparatus includes a stop member supported by a parallelogram linkage which is rockable by an extensible and retractable hydraulic ram to effect movements of the stop member into and out of the path of conveyor borne articles. The coupling of the ram to the stop member includes a lost motion connection enabling displacement of the stop member upon engagement of the latter by an article on the conveyor and the ram is yieldably retractable in response to such engagement so as to absorb and cushion the shock of such engagement.

Abstract: A document feeder for automatically inverting a duplexed original so that the second side may be copied. The inverting mechanism is a turnaround roll located at the exit of the copy station. The inverting mechanism cooperates with rollers located above the document glass for moving documents thereacross. The rollers are inclined at an angle to the direction of paper movement in order to position paper against a side reference edge. When receiving a document from the turnaround roll and moving it in the reverse direction, the inclination of the rollers is removed or altered to a minus angle. Alternatively, a second set of rollers, inclined at a minus angle, are brought into active use when documents are moved in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An adjustable sheet handling apparatus including a member which engages a sheet movable along a path and which is movable into and out of the path and a member for holding the sheet engaging member in the sheet path. The engaging member and holding member are adjustably connected so the position in the path at which a sheet is engaged by the sheet engaging member may be changed without changing the position of the holding member.

Abstract: An improved document handler for transporting and registering document sheets over the platen of a copier, having first and second plural sets of document transport belts extending in the direction of document transport over the platen, with the first set of belts being transversely interdigitated with the second set of belts, with the first set of belts having a substantially higher frictional driving force on document sheets than the second set of belts other than in said registration area to predominantly control the transporting of a document sheet over the platen except in the registration area, and with the second set of belts being more closely positioned to the registration area of the platen than the first set of belts and driven at a slightly higher speed so as to predominantly control the transport of a document sheet in the registration area during its registration.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus having a document holding device and a semi-automatic document feeding and discharging device provided on the top of a housing. The semi-automatic document feeding and discharging device includes a main frame structure mounted for free turning between an operating position and a non-operating position. When the main frame structure is held at the operating position, a document conveying passage having an introducing section, a main section and a curved discharging section is defined.

Abstract: An original document feeder for copying machines, for automatically positioning originals of any substance on the exposure surface, so avoiding opening and closing the original pressing cover at each change of original, and with a considerable reduction in idle times. The feeder comprises a set of friction rollers of flexible material mounted on a single shaft, these facing each other in a transverse slot so as to compel each original sheet to bend in such a manner as to exert a force against the rollers which is greater the higher the substance or rigidity of the sheets. The feeder is also provided for a device for automatically aligning the originals, and a timer system for coordinating the conveying stages of the originals with the copying machine cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a scalloped stream of paper sheets from a first horizontal path into an aligned second horizontal path or into a downwardly sloping third path has a flap which is pivotable in a gap separating the first and second paths between a first position of coplanarity with the first and second paths so that the stream can enter the second path by traveling along the upper side of the flap and a second position in which the flap extends above the first and second paths to block the entry of the stream into the second path while permitting the stream to advance from the first into the third path. An intercepting plate is moved across the discharge end of the first path prior to pivoting of the flap from the first to the second position to temporarily prevent (e.g., for an interval of a few milliseconds) the advancement of sheets beyond the first path.

Abstract: An endless belt is disposed closely above and parallel to a transparent platen. The belt is rotatably driven to move an original document for electrophotography or the like from an inlet onto the platen into engagement with a stopper. Pressure means cause the belt to initially press against the document with a large force to ensure document transport across the platen. The belt drive means is de-energized and the pressure force reduced just before the document engages the stopper to prevent jamming of the leading edge of the document against the stopper as the belt overtravels the document due to its inertia. After an imaging exposure of the document, the stopper is retracted and the belts driven to discharge the document from the platen into a tray provided at an outlet. Means are provided to discharge static electricity from the document and facilitate document stacking in the tray.

Abstract: A copying system including a pivotal document feeder disposed above the original document platen and a pivotal plate disposed along an edge of the platen. The pivotal plate functions as a reference edge to manually align documents on the platen. A control device is provided to inhibit operation of the document feeder when the plate is on the document platen or when a paper jam occurs. The device includes a nonreflective patch disposed on one surface of the plate. A reflective patch is disposed within the paper path. A photosensitive detecting assembly is disposed in spaced alignment with the paper path. When the plate is on the document platen, the photosensitive detecting assembly coacts with the reflective patch to generate a signal which inhibits operation of the document feeder. The photosensitive detector assembly coacts with the nonreflective patch to enable operation of the document feeder and to function as a paper jam detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sequentially feeding pieces of stationery such as envelopes from a supply hopper to a conventional printer mechanism for printing addresses or the like thereon, and for sequentially transporting printed pieces to a storage hopper. The system of the invention utilizes a dispensing mechanism for feeding one piece of stationery at a time from the supply hopper, a positioning mechanism for receiving a piece of stationery and positioning it along the path of travel of a pair of transport belts, and a transport mechanism for belt-feeding pieces of stationery around a printing platen for printing.

Abstract: Front register lays for a sheet-fed rotary printing press are disclosed. Each front register lay includes one or a plurality of front register lay fingers secured to a rotatable shaft. The sheets to be registered are conveyed along a feed metal sheet into engagement with a registering surface of each lay finger. This registering surface is disposed generally vertically and perpendicular to the direction of sheet travel during registry of the sheet against the registering surface of the lay fingers. After the sheet has been registered, the register lay fingers are rotated out of engagement with the sheet so that the sheet can proceed to the rotary printing press.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a single paper supply roller for selectively conducting the paper supply in a manual supply mode wherein a copy paper is introduced through a manual inlet and in an automatic supply mode wherein a copy paper is supplied from a copy paper cassette. A copy paper biasing member is associated with the copy paper cassette so that the copy paper is depressed toward the operating region of the paper supply roller. A manual paper supply guide plate is rotatably secured to the copying machine so that the manual paper supply guide plate takes a first position wherein the manual paper supply guide plate is located under the paper supply roller for conducting the manual paper supply, and a second position not to interfere with the automatic paper supply from the copy paper cassette. A correlation mechanism is connected to the copy paper biasing member to disable the copy paper biasing member when the manual paper supply guide plate is located at the first position.

Abstract: For a document sheet feeding and registration apparatus and method for deskewing and registering a document sheet relative to a registered copying position on a copier platen by feeding it against a sheet aligning document registration member, there is disclosed apparatus for initially feeding the document sheet towards the registration means with a first document sheet feeder exemplified by a widely transversely spaced pair of high friction sheet feeding rollers, which resist skewing of the document sheet, and removing the first document sheet feeder from the document sheet after its lead edge is engaged by a second document sheet feeder and before the document sheet engages the registration edge stop so that final skewing control of the document sheet is only by the second document sheet feeder, this second document sheet feeder being a single sheet feeding roller positioned centrally of the document sheet lead edge area and positioned closely adjacent the registration edge.

Abstract: In a document sheet feeding and registration apparatus for deskewing a document sheet relative to a desired copying position on a copier platen while feeding the document sheet onto the platen into said copying position, there is disclosed a method and apparatus including obtaining an electrical signal corresponding to the actual velocity of the document sheet being fed onto the platen, and actuating an automatic document sheet deskewing device at a precise actuating time occurring slightly before the document sheet reaches the copying position, so that the actuating time of said document sheet deskewing corresponds to the actual velocity of the document sheet. The electrical signal corresponding to the actual document sheet velocity may be obtained by counting the elapsed time between the actuation of first and second switches substantially spaced from one another along the document sheet path upstream of the copier platen.

Abstract: A document feeder defines a sheet path along which a document sheet is fed across a platen of a copier/duplicator, for example, in order to copy the sheet. An oscillating vacuum tube feeds sheets from a supply into the sheet path. The feeder includes a platen vacuum transport having vacuum belts that move the sheet across the platen. The vacuum transport has a first vacuum plenum and a second vacuum plenum located along the sheet path. The first vacuum plenum has a relatively high level of vacuum to insure lifting of the sheet onto the vacuum belts. The sheet is then transported into the area where it comes under the influence of the second vacuum plenum. The second vacuum plenum has a somewhat lower level of vacuum, but it is sufficient to retain the sheet on the belts as the belts drive the sheet into engagement with a registration member. The lower level of vacuum applied at the time the sheet engages the registration member voids damage to the leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A copy sheet registration arrangement is arranged for a copier/finisher system. Sheets which are transported to a compiler station for the finisher are subject to two-step registration positioning. In the first step, the sheets are shifted from a centerline of the paper path leaving the copier to a parallel centerline of the paper path to the compiler station. In so shifting, they are course registered on an edge parallel to the centerlines, the edge being the top edge of each sheet as viewed when reading. In this manner, the registration is equally effective regardless of the various sizes copy sheets may take. A second top edge registration which is more accurate and a side edge registration occur.

Abstract: A front lay device for a sheet-fed rotary printing press comprising a feed table, a stop shaft disposed downwardly of a front end of the feed table and reciprocably angularly movable about its own axis, a stop holder mounted on the stop shaft and having a stop located adjacent to the front end of the feed table, a swingable hold-down member pivotably mounted by a pivot shaft on the stop holder and having a hook-shaped distal end disposed adjacent to the front end of the feed table, a cam shaft rotatable in synchronization with the stop shaft for driving the swingable hold-down member, and a link shaft drivable by the drive shaft for reciprocable movement about its own axis.

Abstract: A registration system for a copier includes dual magnetically actuated voice coils. The plungers of the coils serve as registration fingers which move into and out of the path of the substrate being registered to register and deskew the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding mechanism for high-speed sheet feeding in succession at exact timing. The mechanism has output signal generating device for generating reference signals for sheet feeding, control device for releasing a rotary member from stopped state in response to the reference signal, an eccentric cam driven by the rotary member when it is in the rotation state and a rocking member to be driven by the eccentric cam, an end portion of rocking member for stopping the sheet material being positioned at the upstream or downstream side of constantly rotated members such as paired rollers in the sheet feed path to control the sheet feed timing by the rocking motion of said end portion of the rocking member.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus attachable to a printer for feeding and delivering envelopes. Storage means for fresh and printed envelopes which are disposed perpendicularly to the orientation of print direction. A reduction in overall size required in a mechanism for handling feed and delivery of both cut sheets and envelopes is achieved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting a sheet first toward and then along a registration edge provide a support for the sheet having a sheet support surface adjacent the registration edge and a first drive wheel rotatable about a first axis for driving the sheet on the support surface. A second drive wheel rotatable about a second axis extending at right angles to the support surface is provided at the first drive wheel. Such first wheel is initially positioned at an angle to the registration edge and is rotated with the second wheel through a third wheel about the first axis, with the sheet being brought into peripheral engagement with the first drive wheel to transport the sheet on its support surface to the registration edge. The third wheel with the first wheel is then swiveled about the second axis and about the second wheel, toward parallel relationship with the registration edge.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding system of a printing apparatus comprising a platen, a printing head, a sheet ejecting stacker and a sheet feeding stacker. The platen remains stationary when the leading edge of a sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller has abutted against the platen, whereby the tilting position of the sheet can be corrected. The system comprises further sheet leading edge detecting means disposed at the inlet of the sheet ejecting passage near the platen. When the detecting means detects the leading edge of a sheet, the platen can be rotated in the reverse direction through a predetermined angle for setting the printing initiating position on a sheet at a predetermined distance from the leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet-feeding arrangement for transferring sheets from supply stack to a printing machine includes a sheet-feeding table having a rear end and a front end. A pair of belt conveyors are provided in the arrangement for advancing a group of overlapped sheets from one end of the table to another. A first pair of stops for preliminary aligning of the sheets being advanced is arranged rearwardly from the front edge of the table and a second pair of stops are arranged at the front edge of the table for final aligning of the sheets being transferred. The first pair of stops are spaced from the second pair of stops in the direction of sheet advancement by a distance which is at least equal to the length of the individual sheet of the stream to prevent interference of the group of the following advancing sheets with the group of the preceding advancing sheets being moved from the preliminary steps towards the final stops.

Abstract: A feed plate for sequentially supplying paper sheets to a printing press is provided with an upwardly inclined air passage and an air suction passage obliquely intersecting the upwardly inclined air passage at an intermediate point thereof. A guide plate is provided to extend through the upwardly inclined air passage to confront inner opening of the air suction passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a coupon, or the like, on a package as the package moves through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a supply source of coupons in the form of a web of coupons, a coupon web advance drum for pulling the coupon web from the supply source, a scissors device for cutting the coupon web into individual coupons, and a coupon conveyor device for moving individual coupons from the scissors device to the package and depositing the coupon on the package as it continuously moves past.

Abstract: In an inadequately fed sheet detector of the type comprising a feed board, a transparent plate mounted on one end thereof, a swinging front guide, and a luminous element and a light receiving element respectively mounted on the feed board and the front guide on the opposite sides of the transparent plate, the luminous element is inclined with respect to the vertical.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet feeder to feed a sheet from a supply in a forward direction, a sheet registration gate for registering a sheet, the sheet feeder and sheet registration gate being separated by a distance less than the feeding dimension of the sheet being fed such that when the sheet feeder is actuated it feeds a sheet forward toward the registration gate and forms a buckle in the sheet. A sheet guide comprising a baffle pivotally mounted to be articulated within the path of the sheet being fed such that when it is contacted by the short edge of the sheet buckle and initiates tension in that edge it articulates reducing the tension on the short edge of the buckle and advances toward contact and the initiation of tension with the long edge of the sheet buckle. By articulation the baffle tends to equalize the tension on both edges of the sheet and thereby minimizes skewed sheet feed.

Abstract: A copying machine wherein a retractable stopper device including at least one stopper portion which is normally projected is provided at an original discharge side of the exposure section, and the stopper device is retracted forcibly after the exposure is completed. The retractable stopper device further comprises a pair of leg portions provided on both sides of the member, respectively, compression springs fitted around the leg portions for urging the member upwardly, and a pair of projections projected upwardly and mounted at the both sides of the stopper member.

Abstract: A registration device for use in an automatic feeding device for copying machines in which a magnetic registration member is provided adjacent the forward edge of a platen and an electromagnet is disposed parallel to the registration member in a cover. When no current is applied to the electromagnet, the registration member is in an upper position acting as a stop for original documents to be copied. When the electromagnet is activated, the registration member is urged downwardly against the force of a spring by opposing magnetic field to a position below the surface of the platen so that original documents can be extracted therefrom. If desired, the edge of the platen and the registration member can be made sloped.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of feeding from a stack of sheets to be printed the first sheet on a feedboard, aligning the leading edge of the sheet with a preliminary stop line whereby the sheet is brought to a rest position, sucking from below the preliminary aligned sheet and removing the preliminary stop line, forwarding the preliminary aligned and positively coupled sheet in feeding direction to a second stop line and relieving the suction whereby the leading edge of the sheet is finally aligned and a successive sheet is fed to the first stop line or the preliminary alignment of its leading edge, laterally adjusting the register of the first sheet abutting against the second stop line, removing the second stop line and advancing the first sheet into the press.

Abstract: Positive registration of an original document to the edge of a copier platen (12, 108, 208) together with unidirectional feeding across the platen is provided by intermittently pivoting the platen. Document sheets transported by document transport belts (36, 101, 202) in a movement path over the transparent copying window (12, 108, 208) of a copier and over a fixed edge member (30, 112, 220), are registered and then fed by intermittently slightly lifting with a non-imagable electrical drive (18, 102, 212) one end (20, 106, 216) of the transparent window adjacent the fixed edge member. This interposes and intermittently removes a document sheet obstructing registration surface (66, 114, 218) in the movement path of the document. The fixed edge member (30, 112) can provide manual document registration on the platen without requiring retraction for automatic document feeding.

Abstract: Paper currencies taken out from a cash storing box removably loaded in an automatic cash issue machine by means of a cash take-out mechanism are temporarily accumulated in a temporary cash collecting section. The accumulated currencies are transported toward a cash discharge port by means of a drive endless belt. In this case, the endless belt presses down a bundle of currencies and cooperates with the drive belt to nip and transport the currencies bundled until these are partially exposed to exterior. At this time, a customer may easily take out the currencies bundled.

Abstract: In a flash-on-the-fly, web-type copier, copy sheets fed to a transfer station are adjusted to align such sheets with transferable document images formed on the web to compensate for positional deviations of such document images from nominal or expected image positions.

Abstract: An original document handling apparatus for moving successive individual document sheets on the surface of a movable belt into a registered position for copying at a copier imaging station, including registration fingers movable into and out of the path of the documents, in which the belt has a plurality of narrow elongated grooves extending in the direction of movement of the belt and having gently sloped walls to avoid reproducible shadows, and wherein the registration fingers are adapted to interfit into the grooves for the registration of the documents. The grooves preferably also include vacuum apertures therein.

Abstract: In a document handling system in which documents are moved on an apertured belt over a vacuum manifold to an imaging station of a copier, the vacuum manifold surface engaging the backside of the belt contains narrow, spaced apart, shallow grooves extending in the direction of movement of the belt. Vacuum is applied to the belt only through these grooves, to reduce belt/manifold friction. These manifold surface grooves have light reflective bottom surfaces closely spaced below the back of the belt to underlie the belt apertures and reduce their printout through translucent documents. The apertures in the vacuum belt are only in narrow bands overlying the grooves in the vacuum manifold. The apertures in the vacuum manifold are also preferably transversely spaced from the vacuum belt apertures so that they are not aligned during the belt movement.

Abstract: In an apertured vacuum belt document handling system for a copier, with a normal vacuum transport mode for moving the belt with a document thereon over the exposure position, the belt is provided with an unapertured area, preferably larger than the exposure area. This unapertured area is automatically positioned and stopped over the exposure station when the copier is placed in a manual document placement mode of operation.

Abstract: A cam operated document stop in an item sorter provides positive action to halt the passage of a document or other item, from a flow of documents in a mainstream pathway, when it arrives in an inspection station. The document is stopped in an open receptacle area for inspection and then released for return to the mainstream pathway. Stoppage is effected by rotation of cam members which position a stop arm to stop the flow of the document. After the document has been inspected and corrected, the stop arm is repositioned to release the document into the mainstream flow. After a suitable delay to allow the document to clear the receptacle area, the cam members rotate the stop arm into position to stop the next document.

Abstract: A machine for stacking rectangular sheets of relatively rigid material such as panels, counters, doors, plastic sheets, or the like which has an input conveyor for receiving the panels as they are placed horizontally thereon, an elevator conveyor pivotally connected to the discharge end of the input conveyor on a horizontal axis for raising and lowering movement, a discharge conveyor at the outer end of the elevator conveyor, a conveyor drive motor for driving the conveyors, elevator motor for moving the elevator conveyor about its pivot axis, and a switch on the discharge conveyor for activating the elevator motor as a panel is discharged therefrom to raise the elevator conveyor a selected distance prior to discharge of the next panel. The machine also includes a mechanism on the input conveyor for straightening any panel disposed thereon prior to its movement onto the elevator conveyor.

Abstract: An improved document registration system in a copier having a platen for exposing documents includes a registration edge at the forward end of the platen and at least one foam document aligning belt located adjacent to and above the registration edge. The alignment belt is adapted to extend a short distance over and conform to the registration edge so that documents can be driven toward the registration edge with positive control and thereby reduce up-curl and registration edge jumping.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier has an extended transport path, including a storage for duplex functions, for copying documents which may be reproduced, to a selectable number of copies, from a master. The master is positioned first at an imaging station, so that the desired number of image transfers to copies can be made. The master document transport system recirculates the imaged master, holding it at a storage station spaced apart from the image station, while a second master is positioned at the image station. The system need not be delayed by requiring that all of the copy documents reach an exit position before the second master is inserted. Moreover if a jam occurs in any of a number of modes of operation the system is able to recall one or two masters as needed to complete the run in most expeditious fashion.

Abstract: A self-compensating registration mechanism for use with a sheet feeding apparatus for advancing sheets seriatim in a travel path subject to variation in dimension transverse to the direction of sheet travel in the path. The blocking means is movable relative to the path to a first position where it is engageable by an advanced sheet for registering such sheet, and a second position removed from the path so that the sheet can be advanced past the blocking means. The blocking means is urged toward its first position and movable to its second position against such urging by means including a coupling which compensates for variation in the dimension of the travel path so that the blocking means is movable to each of its positions for any dimension of the travel path.

Abstract: A low inertia rotary drum transport for flexible sheets, the drum rotating at a relatively low speed for loading a sheet, rapidly accelerating to a relatively high speed for processing the sheet, then rapidly decelerating to the relatively low speed for unloading the sheet. A gate and conveyor are controlled to supply the sheet to the drum in precise registration. Vacuum apparatus and a charge corona are provided for attaching the sheet to the drum, the vacuum attaching the leading portion of the sheet, the corona charging the middle portion of the sheet to hold the sheet to the drum by electrostatic attraction, and the vacuum attaching the trailing portion of the sheet. Air pressure apparatus detaches the leading portion of the sheet for unloading.

Abstract: A sheet feeding and registering apparatus includes a document platen, a single wide document transport belt and a sheet registration member. The sheet registration member is a linear member with a plurality of lower registration edges at a first level above the platen and a plurality of sheet stripping portions raised to a level above the first level and forming therewith a series of undulations. The raised sheet stripping portions are inclined to a direction opposite the direction of sheet transport and with the document platen form a small sheet corner capturing cavity. When feeding a slightly skewed sheet to the registration edge the lead corner is first stripped from the transport belt, then physically captured by the cavity and pivoted about its lead edge until it is fully registered against the registration member.

Abstract: A registration mechanism registers document sheets on a copier platen at an edge of the platen surface. The mechanism includes a unique gate member that moves relative to the platen edge to either register a document sheet or to permit the sheet to be driven past the edge and over a sheet deflector. For duplex copying, the deflector can be raised to guide the leading edge of the sheet over the platen edge as the sheet is returned to the platen for copying a second side of the sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for receiving and processing a stack of small documents, such as checks. The documents are stacked in front surface-to-back surface relationship and are singly fed from the stack automatically into a path. The advancement of every two documents is interrupted for a period of time at predetermined positions along the path to effect a selected spacing between the two documents and to align their leading edges. Subsequently, the interruption of the movement of the two documents is terminated to allow the documents to continue forward in a pair at the selected spaced apart distance. The apparatus for effecting this method comprises a document feeder apparatus, a conveyor apparatus defining the document path, and a pair of rotatable gate members which rotate into and out of the path for interrupting the advancement of the documents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating sheets moving in a path at a registration position in the path. The sheets, moving seriatim in a path established by a guide and a platen of a reproduction apparatus, are pinched against the platen to decelerate the sheets as they approach the registration position for copying. The pinching action is accomplished by deflecting a resilient member into the path into juxtaposition with the platen. The member covers an opening in the guide and is deflected by a mechanism extensible through the opening. In its deflected position, the member exerts a deceleration force on the sheet to retard the sheet as it approaches the registration position. The deceleration force has a component that is substantially parallel to the surface of the sheet and a component that is substantially normal to the surface and of greater magnitude than the parallel component.

Abstract: Multiple size plate registration system having a platen with a top planar surface. Channels are formed in the platen and open through the top planar surface. Parallel grooves are formed in the platen spaced transversely of the platen, extending longitudinally of the platen and opening through the top planar surface. Endless belts travel in the grooves and are used for advancing a plate onto the planar surface of the platen. First and second stop pins are mounted in the platen and are extendable above the top planar surface. Controls are provided for causing the stop pins to be selectably movable between retracted positions below the top planar surface and extended positions above the top planar surface. A guide is carried by the top surface of the platen and extends longitudinally of the platen on one side of the planar surface.

Abstract: The method and apparatus aligns the leading edge of pliable sheet material such as paper, transverse to its intended direction of travel. Feed means positively advances the material between guide members towards an alignment member pivotally mounted but releasably secured by a latch means in the plane of the desired leading edge orientation for the sheet material. Position sensing means adjacent the alignment member senses proper leading edge orientation. The latch means responds to the position sensing means operation to release the alignment member and sheet material for movement towards transport means adapted to positively engage the sheet material leading edge to convey the properly orientated sheet material.In a typical configuration, the feed means is a set of feed rollers, the alignment member is a pivotally mounted mechanical gate assembly, and the leading edge alignment sensing means is a mechanical trigger member or photoelectric sensing means.