Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
1 3 1 530~
ON-LINE TIPPING APPARATUS FOR A SlGNATURE INSERTING MACHINE
This invention relates to an on-line tipping
apparatus for use with a signature inserting machine.
More particularly, the invention relates to an on-line
tipping apparatus which has a slave drive system run by
the main conveyor chain drive system of the signature
inserting machine.
;
Background of the Invention
_
Booklets such as magazines, manuals and catalogs
are assembled on a commercial scale by automated
systems. Typically, sections o the booklet are
assembled and bound by one machine. Each section
consists of two or more sheets and is commonly referred
to in the industry as a s1gnature.
One widely used machine for collating signatures is
a signature inserter. A signature inserting machine
includes a series of hoppers positioned side by side
above a conveyor chain. The hoppers contain signatures.
They are generally continually hand loaded or machine
loaded throughout a run. In one type of signa-ture
inserting machine/ a stationary member known as a saddle
is positioned above portions of the conveyor chain and
adjacent each hopper. The saddles are formed in a
generally inverted V shape for receiving partially
opened signatures from its associated hopper. The
conveyor chain also includes several signature engaging
pusher pins which are moved in sequence past the saddles
1 31 ~304
to engage a signature and push it along. As a signature
is picked from a saddle by the pusher pins of the
conveyor chain, that signature is deposited on top o~
other signatures previously picked from saddles and
being moved by the same pusher pin of the conveyor
chain.
A typical saddle machine has at least Eour hoppers
which contain the signatures to be assembled. After the
last signature, usuall~ the front and back cover pages,
is deposited onto previous signatures, the assembled
booklet passes through a station which permanently binds
it. Stapling or stitching are two examples of binding
steps for booklets. Thereafter, the booklet is
transferred to a trimming machine that trims its top,
bottom and front edges.
It is a fairly common practice to adhesively attach
or tip an insert to an outside page of one of the
signatures. The inserts usually di~fer ln size than a
signature page and therefor are conspicuous. They are
typically used for an advertising or other related
purpose.
The industry has used various types of machines for
adding or, as commonly used, tipping an insert to a ~-
signature page. In one method of tipping, a separate
machine is utilized to tip i.e., glue an insert to a
page of a signature. Thus~ the signatures are
transported to the tipping machine for the sole purpose
of adding an insert. Thereafter the signatures are
taken to the signature inserting machine and the
1 3 1 530~
signatures completely assembled to form tne booklet.
Some signature inserting machines have been
disclosed having a means built into them as an integral
part for ~he purpose of adding an insert. U.S. Patent
NosO 3,371,924, 3,658,318 and 4,083,551 contain
descriptions o-f such machines. The machines operate in
the same basic fashion. A supply of inserts to be
attached to the signatures is placed in a feed hopper.
The insert is individually placed onto an adhesive
bearing signature being moved by a conveyor chain. The
adhesive is applied along one edge of the insert or one
edge of the signature to be bound. An apparent problem
with some such inserting machines having the insert
tipping capability as an integral part is that they are
either slow or inflexible in the size of inserts which
they can handle.
There is a need for an apparatus for the tipping of
inserts as a part of the operation of the signature
inserting machine. The apparatus must be flexible
enough to be operable with different makes of signature
inserting machines~ Additionally, the apparatus must be
able to properly apply the inserts in a precise
location. Most importantly, the apparatus must be
capable of being adjusted so as to be in perfect timing
with the conveyor chain of the inserting machine. There
has now been developed an on--line tipping apparatus
which is portable in nature and provides the features
which are required.
131 530-lr
Summary of the Invention
An on~line tipping apparatus is intended for use
with a signature inserting machine. The apparatus is
portable in that it i5 adapted to be moved into operable
S association with a conventional signature inserting
machine when needed. The apparatus has an auxiliary
chain drive system which is run by a main conveyor chain
drive system of the signature inserting machine. The
on-line tipping apparatus comprises a frame assembly
which is capable of being readily moved. A base mounted
on the frame as~embly accommodates the auxiliary chain
drive system. The base is capable of vertical movement
for approximate positioning of the auxiliary chain drive
system with the main conveyor chain drive system of the
signature inserting machine. Associated with the frame
assembly is a raceway with elongated flat saddles. An
adhesive applying mechanism is also operably associated
with the frame assembly for directing a bead of adhesive
; to a signature as it passes along the raceway. The
elongated flat saddles positioned above the raceway
receives an insert in a proper position Eor adhering to
the signature. The auxiliary chain drive system
comprises an endless conveyor chain which has adjustable
timed connection means with the main conveyor chain for
ensuring the insert is properly positioned when adhered
to the signatureO
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective oE a portable
1 31 530~
on-line tipping apparatus in operable association with a
signature inserting machine.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable on-line
tipping apparatus of this invention.
FIG. 3 is an end view of the portable on-line
tipping apparatus of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of the on-line
tipping apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the power take--off assembly
of the on-line tipping apparatus of FIG. 2.
FIG. ~ is a side view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
5 showing in detail the slide block synchronization
assembly used with the power take-off assembly.
FIG. 7 is a top view partially in section showing a
lateral adjusting means used as a part of an auxiliary
chain drive system in the apparat:us of FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 is a fr,ont view parti.ally in section of the
lateral adjusting means of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 iS a side view partially in section of a
raceway adjusting mechanism used on the on-line tipping
apparatus of FIG. 2.
FIG. 10 is an end view of the adjusting mechanism
of FIG. 9 taken along line 10-lO.
FIG. 11 is another side view partially in section
and with a partial cut-away of the raceway adjusting
mechanism of FIG. 9.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The development of this invention is described with
1 31 53~
particular reference to the drawings. FIG~ 1 shows the
on-line tipping apparatus when operably connected to a
typical signature inserting machine. Booklets such as
magazines, manuals, catalogues and brochures are
assembled and have added thereto one or more inserts by
the apparatus of this invention~ The inserts added can
contain multiple pages and virtually be any si~e or
shape. ~ magazine is depicted in the process of being
assembled wherein one page of a signature has a single
sheet insert adhered thereto. The description which
follows describes the apparatus of this invention when
used for this purpose. FIGS. 2-11 disclose the on-line
tipping apparatus when removed from the signature
inserting machine.
The on-line tipping apparatus of this invention,
generally 10 in FIG. 1, is shown in operable association
with a signa-ture inserting machine~ The signature
inserting machine shown is typical o~ such machines. A
signature 11 is picked from a saddle 12 and positioned
in a generally inverted V orientation on a moving main
conveyor chain 13. The chain 13 is an endless conveyor
chain driven by a power source and guided by sprocket
wheels (not shown) to travel in a longitudinal path the
length of the signature inserting machine. Pusher pins
14 on the conveyor chain engage a deposited signature on
the saddle and drive it along. Guide wires 15 extending
outwardly from the conveyor chain guide to a center of
the booklet Eorces a half-section of the booklet as
assembled at that point towards a horizontal position to
1 3 1 5 3 0 llr
ride onto a raceway of the on-line tipping apparatus.
Signature hoppers 20, 21 and 22 each contains a
supply of folded signatures. ~ signature extractor
means (not shown) is provided on each hopper to remove a
single signature from a hopper and deposit it on the
saddle 12 over conveyor chain 13. The pusher pin 14
picks the signature off the saddle causes it to drop
onto conveyor chain 13. Each succeeding signature is
deposited on top of assembled signatures moving along
the conveyor chain 13. Generally, the signatures are
loaded in the hoppers in an on edge or ~lat condition
with a folded edge lowermost. Several hoppers on the
machine are provided, one for each additional signature.
Obviously, the signatures are placed in the successiqe
1~ hoppers in a sequence which results in a maga~ine in
proper order. The last hopper contains a signature
which represen-ts the front and back cover pages of the
booklet. The assembled or inserted signatures taken
from the conveyor chain after the last hopper are
stitched, stapled or other~ise bound, trimmed in-line,
and packaged for delivery.
The foregoing description relates to well known
aspects of a typical signature insertin~ machines. The
particular details of the oregoing elements and the
manner in which those elements are operated in timed
relation to each other to deposit signatures from the
hopper onto the saddle and then the conveyor chain will
be readily apparent to those familiar with the art.
Further explanation and details are found in U.S. Patent
1 31 530~
Nos. 3,0B7,721, 3,311,368, and 3,663,007
As evident from FIG. 1, a hopper typically
positioned between hoppers 20 and 28 is removed to
accommodate the on-line tipping apparatus of this
invention. Additionally, a portion of a chain carrier
which supports the main conveyor chain 13 is removed to
receive the take-off drive system of the on-line tipping
~0 apparatus, as explained in further detail below. As
shown generally, a glue gun 23 applies a bead of
adhesive to a signature page. The glue gun is fed by
hose 24 leading from hot melt adhesive reservoir 25 in a
controlled fashion by operation of control box 26. An
insert 27 from hopper 28 is properly positioned over a
page of the signature with the adhesive bead and adhered
thereto. Additional signatures are fed onto the saddles
associated wlth conveyor chain 13 from hoppers 21, 22
and subsequent hoppers (not shown).
The on-line tipper apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and in
; greater detail in FIGS. 2-4 is portable in nature. That
is, it can be stored in a remote location when not need,
but readily moved and connected to a conventional
signature inserting machine when needed. The apparatus
is usable with several models of signature inserting
machines made by different manufacturers because of
various adjusting mechanisms built into the apparatus.
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the apparatus
comprises a frame assembly 30 with caster wheels mounted
1 31 ~304
at each of the lower ~our corners of the frame assembly.
The frame assembly serves the function oE providing a
base to which the various components of the apparatus
are mounted. It comprises longitudinal base members 31,
32 and 33, lower cross bars 34, 35, 36~ 37, 38, 3~ and
40, longitudinal upper members 41 and 42, upper cross
bars 43 and 44, and vertical support members 45 and 46.
The frame members, preferably made from hollow
structural tubing, are attached e.g., by weldments or
bolts and nuts to one another to form a unitary
structure of sufficient strength for its intended
function. Slotted braces 47 are pivotably attached to
cross bars 34 and 40 at a lower extremity and adjustably
attached to cross bars 43 and 44 near an upper
extremity. The braces allow the upper members of the
frame assembly to be vertically adjusted according to
need, yet provide a degree of stability when bolt heads
48 are forced into engagement with the slot edges.
Caster wheels 50 are mounted on the frame assembly
at each of the frame assembly corners. Other wheel
means can readily be used. An anchor bolt 51 is
positioned in at least one lower member of the frame
assembly so as to engage the floor surEace upon
tightening. This anchors or secures the apparatus once
it is initially positioned. Other securing means such
as roller blocks, etc. can as well be used.
A drive system base 52 is mounted on the upper
members 41 and 42 and upper cross bars 43 and 44 of the
frame assembly. The drive system base is comprised of
---`" 1 3 1 5304
plates 53 and 5~ at each end of the longitudinal upper
members and upper cross bars together with connecting
rails 55 and 56 extending between the plates. The base
is provided to accommodate an auxiliary chain drive
system. A series of bolt holes 57 near the outside
edges of the plates allows some lateral posltioning of
the base relative to the frame assembly depending on the
particular signature inserting machine which is being
used.
The drive system base 52 is also capable of
vertical movement relative to the base members of the
frame assembly. The vertical movement feature is used
for the purpose of approximate positioning of the
auxiliar~ chain drive system with the main conveyor
chain drive system oE the signature inserting machine.
Scissor lifter means 63 at each end of the platform are
provided for the vertical movement~ There are two sets
of scissor lifter bars at each end of the base for a
total of four scissor lifters. Lower arm pivot brackets
61 are secured to longitudinal base members 32 and 33.
Pivot pin 62 holds one end of each lifter bar 63 in
pivotable engagement. Upper arm pivot brackets 61
positioned on the longitudinal upper members 41 and 42
substantially directly above lower arm pivot brackets 61
are used to hold each lifter bar 64 in pivotable
engagement. A shoulder bolt 65 in the center of lifter
bars 63 and~64 holds the two bars together in a scissors
fashion. A second shoulder bolt 65 on the backside of
the apparatus on the same end also holds togekher the
1 31 530'-~
11
second set of lifter bars. Spacers 66 and spacer bar 67
receives each shoulder bolt. ~ollers 68 and 69 at the
non-pivot ends of the lifter bars ride along base
members 31 and 32 and longitudinal upper members 41 and
42, respectively.
Crank wheel 70 is connected to the scissor lifter
means 60 by screw member 71 and brawl bar 72. Screw
member 71 extends through bearing block 73 and is
threaded into brawl bar 72. In turn, the brawl bar 72
is secured to both rollers 68. Turning the crank wheel
70 will cause the screw member 71 to draw the brawl bar
72 towards or away from the wheel depending on the
direction turned. In effect, the ends of the liEter
bars 6~ are caused to laterally move which causes the
cooperati~ely acting part of the scissor means, i~e.,
lifter bar 63 to raise or lower. Motion from the two
sets of lifter bars adjacent the crankwheel is
transferred to the opposite sets of lifter bars by means
of left hand screw member 75, turnbuckle 76, and right
hand screw member 77. The outer extremity of each of
these screws is attached to spacer bars 67. ~s such,
turning of the crank wheel 70 causes all four sets of
scissor lifter bars to substantially simultaneously
operate.
Mounted on drive system base 52 is an auxiliary
chain drive system. The system comprises a power
take-off assembly and an endless auxiliary conveyor
chain assembly. The power take-off assembly is capable
of transferring power from the main conveyox chain of
1 31 5301lt
1~.
the signature inserting machine to the auxiliary
conveyor chain. Adjusting means as described in
following para~raphs are built into the assemblies to
ensure that the drive systems are synchronized and that
pusher pins on the main conveyor chain and the au~iliary
conveyor chain are compatible.
The power take-off assembly uses a take-off
sprocket wheel 80~ an endless transfer chain 81, and a
power transfer wheel 82 to transmit power to the
auxiliary conveyor chain assembly. Take-off sprocket
wheel 80 and power transfer wheel 82 are fixed together
and each mounted on shaft 83 along with bearings. The
transfer chain 81 which is driven by wheel 82 transfers
power to drive wheel 86. Shaft 87 with drive wheel 8
is mounted on pylons 88.
A pivot arm 89 is used to adjustably position the
take-off sprocket wheel 80 and power -transfer wheel 82.
~s best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the pivot arm 89 has a
first set of ears 90 which are pivotably mounted on
~0 shaEt 87. The other end of the pivot arm has a second
set of ears 91 adapted to hold shaft 83, along with the
take-off sprocket wheel 80 and power transfer wheel 82
mounted thereon. A height adjusting mechanism 95 is
operably connected to the pivot arm 89 to move lt about
its pivot point relative to the drive system base 52.
This allows the take-off sprocket wheel 80 to properly
mesh with the main conveyor chain. Thusl the scissor
lifter bars are used for approximate positioning of the
take-off sprocket wheel and the adjusting mechanism 95
1 31 530'~
13
is used to cause the teeth of the sprocket wheel to mesh
with the links of the main conveyor chain~
Adjusting mechanism 95 comprises a turn screw 96 in
operable engagement at one end wi~h pivot arm 89. The
turn screw extends through bracket 97 which in turn is
attached to the base 52. Internally threaded turn knob
98 is positioned on the turn screw and in engagement
with bracket 97. Adjusting of the turn knob 98 causes
the pivot arm 89 to move up or down about its pivot
point. This allows take-oEf sprocket wheel 80 to be
engaged or disengaged from the main conveyor chain of
the signature inserting machine. FIG. 2 shows take-off
sprocket wheel 80 in a fully raised position in dotted
lines.
A slide block synchronization assembly 100 is also
provided to advance transfer chain 81 a fraction of a
chain link if needed. As best seen in FIG. 6, the
assembly comprises an adjusting wheel 101, idle wheel
102, slide block 103 and sprocket wheels 104. The slide
block has a gear rack 105 to receive gear tee-th of the
idle wheel. Movement of the adjusting wheel 101 causes
slide block 103 with sprocket wheels 104 mounted thereon
to move up or down. This in turn causes the sprocket
wheel 104 to change its point of engagement with
transfer chain 81.
The endless auxiliary conveyor chain assembly
comprises an endless conveyor chain 110 with sprocket
wheels 111 and 112, idle wheels 113 and adjusting idle
wheel ll~o Each sprocket wheel revolves about a
1 3 1 530~r
14
threaded shaft 117. The shafts are mounted above the
drive system base by means of the pylons 88. Idle
wheels 113 are mounted on hanging brackets 115 which are
attached to rail 116. Rail 116 extends between sprocket
wheels 111 and 112.
Adjusting idle wheel 114 is mounted for adjustable
movement to accommodate different sized conveyor chains
and chain stretching which may occur. The adjustment
means comprises left hand screw member 119, right hand
~screw member 120 and turnbuckle 121. Tension bar 122 is
pivotably attached to mounting bracket 123 found on the
frame assembly. The screw members are pivotably
attached at one end to the tension arm 122 and at a
second end to mounting bracket 123 on rail 116 by use of
turnbuckle brackets 124. Turning of the turnbuckle will
cause tension arm 122 to move about its pivot point and
exert more or less tension on conveyor chain 110 as
needed.
The auxiliary conveyor chain assembly is capable of
lateral movement. As best seen in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8,
sprocket wheel 111 is mounted on threaded shaft 117 in a
~ashion which allows it to laterally move on said shaft.
An auxiliary drive hub assembly 130 is positioned on
shaft 117 by use of a threaded hub 131. The hub is
provided with a flange 132 at an end adjacent sprocket
wheel 111. Flange 132 has a series of spaced ~hreaded
screw holes around its periphery to provide a means by
which it is fixedly attached to sprocket wheel 111. The
hub and sprocket wheel are held together for revolving
1 31 530~
motion with shaft 117 by screws 133. The in-ternal
thread oE the hub cooperates with the external thread oE
shaft 117 to provide longitudinal displacement of hub
131 and sprocket wheel 111 upon shaft 117 when the shaft
is held stationary and sprocket wheel 111 is turned. A
lock nut 134 is used to lock threaded hub 131 upon shaft
117 so that both rotate in unison.
A pair of ball bearings 135 is used to rotably
mount the threaded hub 131 is a bearing housing 136.
Each member of the pair of ball bearings 135 is held in
a fixed spaced relationship within -the assembly by hub
spacer 136 and housing spacer 137. The ball bearings
are held upon the hub 131 by means of a jam nut 139. A
retaining ring 140 retains the bearing housing 136 upon
the ball bearings 135, said ring being mounted in a
groove cut into the inside diamet:er of the bearing
housing 136.
The bearing housing 136 has an ear flange 141
extending from one side. Cap screws 142 passing through
the ear flange are used to fixedly secure the bearing
housing 136 to a support bracket 143 which in turn is
attached to rail 116 b~y screw 14~. The ball bearings
135 allow the hub 131 and sprocket wheel 111 to rotate
with threaded shaft 117 during normal operation while
the bearing housing 136 is stationary.
If lateral adjustment of the auxiliary chain drive
system is needed, lock nut 134 is loosened and sprocket
wheel 111 and hub assembly 130 mo~ed along the threaded
shaft 117 to a desired position. Sprocket wheel 112 at
1 31 530~
16
the other end of the platform is similarly mounted and
independently moved in the same fashion.
A set of pusher pins 145 are provided on the
auxiliary conveyor drive chain for the purpose of
S engaging the signatures and inserts and driving them
along. The adjusting mechanisms of the apparatus allow
the pusher pins 145 of the auxiliary conveyor drive
chain and the pusher pins 14 of the main conveyor drive
chain to simultaneously engage a signature. The pusher
pins can be removed and mounted at each chain link.
Adjustment of pusher pin placements on the auxiliary
conveyor chain gives -the needed compatibility with
pusher pins 14 on the main conveyor chain. As a result
a properly positioned insert is added to the signature.
A raceway 150 is also positioned on the frame -
assembly. The raceway preferably extends substantially
the length of the on-line tipping apparatus. The
raceway serves the function of receiving a half-section
o~ a booklet and providing a flattened surface on which
it can travel while receiving a bead o~ adhesive and an
insert. The raceway is adjustably mounted on rail 116
to tilt to accommodate various inserts and signatures of
different sizes and weights. Thus, raceway 150 is
mounted above drive system base 52 by means of adjusting
mechanisms best seen in FIGS 9-11. Raceway adjusting
mechanisms 155 are positioned in the approximate cen-ter
of the raceway and near each end. Each mechanism has a
slide pinion housing 157 with curved rails 158 and 159.
Housing 157 is secured to the underside of the elongated
`` t 3~ 530~
raceway 150. A roller unit 160 comprised of housing 161
and rollers 162 are positioned on rails 158 and 159,
respectively~ The roller unit is -Eixedly mounted on
rail 116 by use of a bracket 163 and cap screw 164. A
set screw lock 165 extends in frictional engagement
through the housing 161 of each tray adjusting mechanism
to lock the mechanisms in place once properly adjusted.
In accord with this invention, the raceway can be tilted
up to about sixty degrees from the horizontal.
Also associated with the raceway adjusting
mechanisms is a rack unit 168 comprised of housing 169,
modi~ied rack 170 with a bracket 171, and a raceway
extension 172 secured thereto. The modified rack works
in association with gear wheel 173 mounted on rod 17~ to
move the raceway extension so as to lengthen or shorten
the raceway's working surface as needed. Rod 174
extends between all three tray adjusting mechanisms to
simultaneously adjust all raceway extensions~ A lock
mechanism 175 locks the raceway extensions to a desired
20 position. This feature is especially use~ul with large -
signatures in that it provides a wider flattened surface
on which the booklet half-sections ride.
A mounting bar 180 is used to hold the adhesive
applying mechanisms. Thus, an electric eye sensor 181
and a solenoid glue gun 23 are positioned above
elongated raceway 150 and prior to insert hopper 28.
The sensor and glue gun are part oE a conventional
adhesive means. Control box 26 and hot melt reservoir
25 shown in FIG. 1 together with the sensor and glue gun
1 31 530~
18
properly apply a bead of adhesive to a signature.
Placement and amount of adhesive are done under
controlled conditions in a known Eashion. ~s seen in
FIG. 3, a timing compensator mechanism 182 is operably
connectad to shaft 117 and the control box 26. Such
timing compensator mechanisms are well known and
commercially available. ~ glue hold down assembly
comprised of a roller 183 adjus-tably mounted on the
mounting bar 180 is positioned above the conveyor chain
13 and af-~er the insert hopper 28. Its function is to
force the insert into contact with the adhesive bead
found on the signature. While not shown, various
sensing devices can be provided to disengage the roller
183 if an insert is not present.
An elongated catch saddle 190 in the form of a
right angle rail is positioned above the raceway by
means of arm 191 and bracket 192 secured to mounting bar
180. The elongated catch saddle 190 together with an
optional second elongated catch saddle 193 also
extending from arm 191 receive an insert from a hopper
and retains lt in place until picked up by the pins of
the conveyor chains and moved along. In accord with
this invention pusher pins 14 and 145 on -the conveyor
chains of the main chain drive system and the auxiliary
chain drive system simultaneously move the signature,
with overlying insert r along the raceway.
In operation, the on-line tipping apparatus is
moved into engagement with a signature inserting
machine. The auxiliary chain drive system is
1 31 ~3~
19
app~oximately positioned by adjusting its height from
the floor surface by use o~ the scissor lifter means.
Thereafter, the turn screw adjusting mechanism is used
to further position the take-off sprocket wheel of the
auxiliary chain drive system into engagement with the
signature inserting machine's main conveyor chain. The
slide block synchronization assembly is used to advance
the auxiliary conveyor chain a fraction of a link if
needed. The pins on the two conveyor chains are
repositioned on the chains if needed to make them
compatible when running. Next, the raceway of the
apparatus is adjusted in its tilt and width depending on
the particular signature and insert to be added thereto.
If needed, the auxiliary conveyor chain is laterally
moved. All locking mechanisms are tightened once all
features of the tipping apparatus are positioned for
operation. Supplying power to the signature inserting
machine runs its main conveyor chain and simultaneously
the auxiliary conveyor chain drive system. Each
conveyor chain moves at the same speed with their pusher
pins in alignment~ Signatures move along the main
conveyor chain until they reach the raceway. There, a
half-section of the booklet is opened onto the raceway
in a flattened state. A bead of adhesive is applied to
it and subsequently an insert held above the raceway by
the elongated catch saddles is caught by a pusher pin
and dropped onto the adhesive bead. Subsequent
signatures are added until the end of the machine
reached wherein the assembled signatures with insert are
.
1 31 5 ~
bound.
It should be apparent the apparatus of this
invention enjoys many advantages. The portable nature
of the apparatus allows it to be used as needed. The
apparatus is simply moved from storage to a conventional
signature inserting machine ~hen inserts are to be
added. Separate signature inserting machines with
built-in insert capability or tipping apparatus which
are run independently are no longer needed. The
adjusting mechanisms built into the on-line tipping
apparatus of this invention allow it to be used with
several makes and models of conventional signature
inserting machines. The drive system tipping apparatus
is fully compatible with the main conveyor chain of the
inserting machine because of the Eact it is driven by
the main conveyor chain. Thus, the speed and timing of
the auxiliary conveyor chain of the tipping apparatus is
directly controlled by the main conveyor chain of the
inserting machine. This allows use of the tipping
apparatus as discussed without a need to change the
sprocket wheels of the main conveyor chain to
compatiblize the chaln speeds. In ef~ect the tipping
apparatus when properly adjusted is self^-timed.
Adjustability of pin spacing on the respective auxiliary
conveyor chain and main conveyor chain also adds to the
compatibility of the apparatus. The result of the
aforementioned features is that inserts of varied sizes
are properly positioned on a signature with no loss o~
machine speed.
" 1 31 530~
21
While the invention has been described with
particular reference to the drawings, it should be
understood various modiEications of an obvious nature
can be made. For example, corner screw lifting means
can be used to adjust the height oE the platform.
Adhesive applicators of various designs for hot melt and
cold adhesives can also be used as well as various
sensing devices and automatic stopping devices. The
raceway, adhesive applying mechanism and elongated catch
saddle can individually or collectively be mounted on
the signature inserting machine in operable association
with the tipping apparatus. Specially constructed floor
stands can as well be used to hold the aforesaid
components in position with the tipping apparatus to
perform their respective functions. Such modifications
are intended to be within the scope the claimed
invention.
