Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a fastening apparatus,
and more particularly to an improved fastening apparatus
effective to automatically fasten a pack of loose sheets
together following placement of the sheets in the apparatus.
Machines for fastening a pack of loose sheets together
in relatively permanent fashion are well known to the art and
come in several varieties. One type of machine, called a
stitcher, utilizes wire taken from a supply reel, and formed
by dies in the machine into a staple at the initiation of the
lQ fastening operation. Following this, the newly formed staple
is driven through the assemblage of loose sheets and clenched
to form a relatively permanent attachment.
Stitchers of the type alluded to normally incorporate
some type of device to jog the individual and loose sheets
into alignment both with one another and with the machine
fastening head or heads. Further, there is usually provided
some type of ejection mechanism for removing, i.e. ejecting
the completed work and clearing the machine for reuse.
Operation or control over prior art fastening machines
such as the aforementioned stitcher is usually by a manually
actuated start switch. Here the operator loads the loose
sheets into the machine, and then after the loose sheets are
aligned, triggers the machine start switch to fasten the sheets
together.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a new and improved automatic fastening apparatus.
It is a further object of an aspect of the present
invention to provide a fastening machine with control to auto-
matically operate the machine following disposition of the
sheets to be fastened in the machine loading tray without
further action by the machine opera~or.
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It is an object of an aspect of the present invention
to provide a control for stitching/stapling type machines
effective to automatically operate and staple papers inserted
therein following the lapse of a preselectable interval after
the papers have been inserted.
It is a further object of an aspect of the present
invention to provide a control for stapling or stitching machines
adapted to toll a preselected interval after the sheets to be
stapled or stitched are loaded so as to permit the loose sheets
to be aligned into a pack and then to automatically operate the
machine to staple or stitch the assembled sheet pack.
- This invention in one aspect relates to a sheet
fastening apparatus comprising in combination, fastening means
adapted when actuated to place at least one fastening member
through individual sheets to provide a unitary sheet pack; a
tray for supporting the sheets to be fastened, the discharge
side of the tray extending into operative juxtaposition with the
fastening means; withdrawable sheet stop means at the tray
discharge side for locating the sheets for fastening; jogging
means to align the sheets with one another and against the sheet
stop means; ejecting means for removing the fastened pack of
sheets; drive means for driving the fastening member, with-
drawing the stop means, and operating the ejecting means in
predetermined order whereby to fasten the sheets and eject the
fastened pack of sheets; and control means responsive to sheets
in the tray to actuate the drive means after a preselected
; delay and fasten the sheets together, the delay permitting
the jogging means to align the sheets in preparation for
fastening into a pack.
Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from
the ensuing description and drawings in which:
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Figure 1 is a side view in partial section of an
exemplary fastening apparatus incorporating the improved control
of the present invention;
Fi~ure 2 is an end view of the fastening apparatus
shown in Figure 1 illustrating details of the sheet receiving
tray;
Figure 3 is a view illustrating the drive train for
the machine shown in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a top view showing details of the combina-
tion clutch/brake for the drive train shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the combinationclutch/brake shown in Figure 4 taken along lines 5 - 5 thereof;
and
Figure 6 (second sheet of drawings) is a circuit
schematic of the control of the present invention.
Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings,
there is shown an exemplary fastening apparatus, designated
generally by the numeral 10, adapted to incorporate the control
arrangement of the present invention. Fastening apparatus 10
includes a free standing support or frame, designated generally
by the numeral 12, on w~ich a sheet tray 14 for receiving
sheets 16 to be fastened, one or more stitching or stapling
heads 18 for fastening discrete groups of sheets 16 into packs
20, an outpùt bin 21 for receiving the fastened packs 2~ of
sheets 16, and transport means 19 for ejecting the finished
packs 20 from under stitching heads 18 into bin 21 are mounted.
suitable driving mechanism 22 is provided for operating
stitching heads 18, transport 19, and other ancillary components
in integrated relationship as will appear more fully herein.
As seen best in Figures 1, 2 and 3 tray 14 comprises
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a platform 24 flanked on either side by upstanding guides 25,
26. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or
both of the guides 25, 26 are adjustable toward and away from
one another to vary the effective width of tray 14 in correla-
tion with the width of sheets 16 being fastened. To align the
side edge of sheets 16 with one another preparatory to fastening,
one or more finger-like joggers ?8 are provided. Joggers
- 28, which pro~rude upwardly above platform 24, are suitably
supported for adjusting movement with side guide 25. Joggers
28 are carried by rock shaft 29 which in turn is driven in an
oscillatory manner by means of eccentric 30. Eccentric 30 is
rotated by side jogger motor 31 through belt and pulley drive 32.
A pair of retractable stops 35 serve to locate the
leading edge of sheets 16 under stitching heads 18. In order
to align the ends of the sheets 16 in tray 14, finger-like
joggers 37 are provided adjacent the rear of platform 24.
Joggers 37 are spacedly supported by a rock shaft 39. ~rm
41 drivingly connects rock shaft 39 with an eccentric 42.
Eccentric 42 is rotatably driven through belt and pulley means
43 by end jogger motor 44. To accommodate different size
sheets, the subframe 40 supporting joggers 37 is moved longitud-
inally toward or away from edge stops 35, suitable slots (not
shown) in platform 24 accommodating movement of joggers 37.
Suitable locking means (not shown) are provided to retain
subframe 40 and joggers 37 in the position selected.
- Stitching heads 18 comprise any suitable commercially
available stapling or stitching mechanism of the type effective
to drive a generally inverted U-shaped staple, normally made of
metal, through a pack or assemblage of sheets 16. In the
exemplary fastening apparatus 10, a pair of reciprocable
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stitching heads are illustrated, heads 18 functioning, on the
downward stroke, to take a partially formed staple, made pre-
viously from wire drawn from wire supply spool 50 and complete
the forming of the staple into a generally inverted U-shape.
With further movement of the mechanism, the staple is driven
through the assemblage of sheets 16 in tray 14 and, in coopera-
tion with a lower anvil 77 clenched to lock the staple in place
in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Eccentric drive
crank 52, supported upon drive shaft 68, operates stitching
heads 18 through link 53 in a timed manner as will appear more
fully herein. For a more complete description of the operation
of stitching heads of the type illustrated, reference may be
had to U. S. Patent No. 3,076,196 issued February 5, 1963.
Stops 35, which serve to locate the leading edge of
the sheets 16 resting in tray 14, are supported for up and down
movement into and out of the path of movement of sheets 16.
Stops 35 are raised and lowered in timed relationship with
operation of stitching heads 18 by means of a cam operated
linkage 51, cam 50 on drive shaft 68 being provided for this
purpose.
Transport means 19, which serves to eject the finished
packs 20 when stitching is completed, includes an eject roller
60 swingably supported below tray platform 26. Belt and pulley
means 61 dr~vingly connect eject roller 60 with power take-off
shaft 62. Shaft 62, which is driven by main drive motor 64
through belt 91, turns roller 60 in the direction shown by
the solid line arrow of Figure 1 upon energization of motor
64. Cam 67 on drive shaft 6g works through linkage 69 to
raise and lower eject roller 60 in timed relationship to
operation of ~he fastening apparatus 10. --
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Front and rear discharge rollers 70, 71 are rotatablysupported above platform 26 on elther side of stitching heads
18. Discharge roller 71 cooperates with lower roller 72 to
form a pinch roll pair between which the finished pack 20
moves, rollers 71, 72 serving to carry the pack 20 into bin
21. Discharge roller 70 is supported opposite eject roller
60, roller 70 being spaced above the level of platform 24 to
permit shee~s 16 to be freely stacked or piled thereunder
when loading fastening apparatus 10. Roller 70 cooperates
with eject roller 60 upon raising of roller 60 to engage
and initiate discharge of the stapled pack 20 out from under
stitching heads 18 and into the nip of roller pair 71, 72.
Roller pair 71, 72 sustain movement of the finished pack 20
into bin 21. Discharge rollers 70, 71 and 72 are driven by
motor 64 through belts 73 in the direction shown on the solid
line arrow of Figure 3.
As described, stitching heads 18 include a lower
anvil 77 for clenching the staple ends. Anvil 77 is suitably
supported upon framework 12 for slidable up and down motion.
Anvil 77 is driven from drive shaft 68 through cam and link
means 78, 79 respectively.
Referring particularly to Figures 4 and 5, a gear 90
on power take off shaft 62 meshes with gear 92 on clutch input
shaft 93. Power take off shaft 62 is driven by main drive
~otor 64 via belt 91. Shaft ~3 comprises the input shaft to
a solenoid operated clutch 94 adapted, upon energization of
clutch solenoid 95, to couple input shaft 93 with drive shaft
68 through a single revolution. Clutch 94 includes a braking
mechanism 97 effective whenever clutch 94 is disengaged to
brake drive shaft 68 to a stop. As noted, drive shaft 68
carries the operating cams 50, 67 and 78 for paper stops 35,
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eject roller 60, and anvil 77 respectively. In addition,
operating crank 53 for stitching heads 18 is mounted on shaft
68. As will be understood, the configuration of cams 50, 67
and 78 and the throw of crank 53 are chosen to provide
integrated operation of the different components driven therefrom.
Referring now to Figure 6, main drive motor 64, side
jogger motor 31, and rear jogger motor 44 are connected through
on/off switch 110 across a suitable source of electrical
energy represented by leads Ll, L2. A control relay 112 which
includes an adjustable delay circuit 111 for delaying for a
selected interval energization of the relay 112, is connected
through tray switch 114 across the leads Ll, L2. Tray switch
114 is suitably supported on paper tray 14 with switch arm 115
thereo~ projecting slightly above platform 24 and into the tray
area. Disposition of one or more sheets 16 into tray 14
depresses switch arm 115 to actuate switch 114 and ~nergize
circuit 111. Circuit 111, after the selected interval,
energizes relay 112.
Solenoid 95 of clutch 94 is connected through normally
elosed contact 120 of a safety 130 and a normally open contact
113 of control relay 112 across leads Ll, L2. A safety switch
125 is provided, switch 125 being supported on the machine
framework 12 such that switch arm 126 thereof is disposed in
the path of movement of the stitching head drive link 53.
In this arrangement, link 53, on the return stroke of stitching
heads 18, momentarily engages switch arm 126 to close safety
switch 125. Switch 125 is disposed in series with safety
relay 130. A normally open contact 131 of rela~ 130 bypasses
switch 125.
In operation of fastening apparatus 10, on/off switch
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110 is closed to energize the main drive motor 64, side jogger
motor 31, and rear jogger motor 44. Energization of main drive
motor 64 operates via power take-off shaft 62, eject roller
60, and discharge rollers 70, 71, 72, rollers 60, 70, 71, 72
rotating in the direction shown by the solid line arrows of
Figure 1. At the same time, clutch input shaft 93 is rotated.
With clutch 94 disengaged and shaft brake 97 engaged, drive
shaft 68 is stationary.
Energization of side jogger motor 31 oscillates side
joggers 28 bac}; and forth to a]ign the side edges of any sheets
16 placed in tray 14 with one another. Similarily, energization
of rear jogger motor 44 oscillates end joggers 37 to increment
the leading edge of sheets 16 placed in tray 14 forward against
stops 35 with concurrent aligning the sheet leading and trailing
edges with one another.
On disposition of a pack of sheets 16 to be fastened
on platform 24 of tray 14, switch 114 is actuated to complete
an energizing circuit to time delay circuit 111. Following a
preset interval, the length of which is dependent upon the
setting of circuit 111, control relay 11~ is energized closing
contact 113 thereof. The aroresaid interval may be used to
add additional sheets to those in tray 14 as well as permitting
the side and rear joggers 28, 37 respectively to complete
alignment of the sheets in tray 14.
With closure of relay contact 113, an enexgizing
circuit is completed to clutch solenoid 95 engaging clutch 94 and
releasing brake 97. Engagement of clutch 94 couples clutch lnput
shaft 93 with drive shaft 68 to rotate shaft 68 through one
revolution. Rotation of shaft 68 operates in timed sequence
as determined by the configuration of cams 50, 67, 78 and the
throw of crank 52 stitching heads 18 and anvil 77 to stitch
the sheets 16 together, remove stops 35, and raise eject roller
60 to move, in cooperation with rollers 70, 71, 72, the stapled
pack 20 into discharge bin 21.
During operation of stitching heads 18, drive link 53
to stitching heads 18 momentarily closes safety switch 125 to
complete a circuit to safety relay 130. Relay 130 closes
contact 131 while opening contact 120 thereof. Opening of
relay contact 120 interrupts the circuit to clutch solenoid
95 to assure disengagement of clutch 94 and engagement of brake
97 after one revolution and prevent reactivation of stitching
heads 18 before the previous stitching cycle i~ fully completed
in the event that tray switch 114 is prematurely reclosed, or
fails to open following stitching. Safety relay 130 remains
energized until either tray switch 114 is opened or on~off
swi~ch 110 is released.
To enable manual operation of the fastening apparatus
10, a control switch 140 is disposed in series with the normally
closed relay contact 120 of safety relay 130 and clutch
solenoid 95 across leads Ll, L2. Switch 140 is also arranged
in series with normally open safety switch 125 and safety relay
contact 131 across the leads Ll, L2. A manual selector switch
141 is provided in the energizing cîrcuit to time delay circuit
111. Opening of selector switch 141 disables time delay
circuit 111 and renders actuation of tray switch 114 by sheets
disposed in tray 14 ineffective.
In operation, selector switch 141 is opened to disable
tray switch 114 and time delay circuit 111. Manual closure of
switch 140 completes a circuit to clutch solenoid 95 to
energize clutch 94 and operate the stitching apparatus 10
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through one cycle in the manner described heretofore. During
the stitching operation, safety switch 125 is closed by cran~
52 to energize safety relay 130 which in turn opens relay
contact 120 to interrupt the circuit to the clutch solenoid
95 while closing relay holding contact 131 thereof. This
protects against repeated or inadvertent operation of the
stitching apparatus 10 should switch 140 be held closed.
While the invention has been described with reference
to the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details
set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or
changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.
