US3685712A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stapling apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-09
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-09-09
Abstract
Abstract Stapling apparatus used for stapling copy sheets into booklets produced from documents copied in repeated cycles which includes a tray mechanism having movable side guide members capable of receiving different size sheet material fed along a predetermined path from a processor. The sheet material is stopped by a gate mechanism which is positioned adjacent to the tray mechanism and is operative to move from one position in the sheet path to a second position out of the sheet path in response to discrete electrical signals. The stapling assembly is operative to drive staples one staple at a time into each pile of sheets collected and held in registration by the tray mechanism and gate mechanism in response to electrical signals. A solenoid actuated eject roll mechanism is used to eject the stapled pile of sheets after the gate mechanism has been lifted out of the gate path and move the staple pile to the receiving tray. A control circuit supplies the signals necessary to carry out the program logic of the various components of the stapling apparatus in timed relation.
Inventors
- 👤 Lyman H Turner
- 👤 William P Kukucka
- 👤 James E Summers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/02; B65H39/04; B42; B42C; B42C1/00; B42C1/12; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/10; B65H2404/11; B65H2404/111; B65H2404/1114
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
Stapling apparatus comprising tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet material along a predetermined path, gate means positioned adjacent said tray means operative to move from one position in the sheet path to block the movement of sheet material therealong to a second position out of the sheet path in response to discrete electrical signals, stapling means operative for driving staples one at a time into sheet material collected and held in registration by said gate means and said tray means in response to discrete electrical signals, eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheet material upon actuation of said gate means to a position out of the sheet path, and circuit means to control the operation of said gate means, stapling means and eject means in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
Stapling apparatus comprising tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet material along a predetermined path, gate means positioned adjacent said tray means operative to move from one position in the sheet path to block the movement of sheet material therealong to a second position out of the sheet path in response to discrete electrical signals, stapling means operative for driving staples one at a time into sheet material collected and held in registration by said gate means and said tray means in response to discrete electrical signals, eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheet material upon actuation of said gate means to a position out of the sheet path, and circuit means to control the operation of said gate means, stapling means and eject means in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
169 words
Stapling apparatus comprising tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet material along a predetermined path, gate means positioned adjacent said tray means operative to move from one position in the sheet path to block the movement of sheet material therealong to a second position out of the sheet path in response to discrete electrical signals, stapling means operative for driving staples one at a time into sheet material collected and held in registration by said gate means and said tray means in response to discrete electrical signals, eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheet material upon actuation of said gate means to a position out of the sheet path, circuit means to control the operation of said gate means, stapling means and eject means in a predetermined sequence, and a rotating paddle member positioned in the sheet path in front of said gate means for imparting a force on said sheet material at right angles to the path against a one of said guide members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
169 words
Stapling apparatus comprising tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet material along a predetermined path, gate means positioned adjacent said tray means operative to move from one position in the sheet path to block the movement of sheet material therealong to a second position out of the sheet path in response to discrete electrical signals, stapling means operative for driving staples one at a time into sheet material collected and held in registration by said gate means and said tray means in response to discrete electrical signals, eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheet material upon actuation of said gate means to a position out of the sheet path, circuit means to control the operation of said gate means, stapling means and eject means in a predetermined sequence, and a rotating paddle member positioned in the sheet path in front of said gate means for imparting a force on said sheet material at right angles to the path against a one of said guide members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 where said side guide members are adjustable to accommodate different size sheet material transported along the sheet path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 including an output receiving tray means positioned to receive stapled piles of sheet material from said eject means and operative to lower continually to maintain a constant level with the sheet path as the sheet material is collected thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein output receiving tray means includes adjustable side guide members operatively connected to said side guide members of said tray means for movement in conjunction therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a copying apparatus for producing stapled piles of copies from documents advanced from a supply source to a copier platen and then returned to the supply source in repeated cycles, and improved stapling apparatus for stapling the copies in sets corresponding to the documents being copied comprising tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet material along a predetermined path, gate means adjacent said tray means operative to move from one position in the sheet path to a second position out of the sheet path in response to the discrete electrical signals, stapling means operative to drive staples one at a time into a pile of sheets collected in registration by said gate means and tray means in response to discrete electrical signals, eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheets upon said gate means being moved to a position out of the sheet path, circuit means to control said gate means, stapling means and eject means in timed sequence with the operation of said copier machine, and a rotating paddle member positioned in the sheet path in front of said gate means for imparting a force on said sheet material at right angles to the path against a one of said guide members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a copying apparatus for producing stapled piles of copies from documents advanced from a supply source to a copier platen and then returned to the supply source in repeated cycles, and improved stapling apparatus for stapling the copies in sets corresponding to the documents being copied comprising tray means including side guide members for receiving sheet material along a predetermined path, gate means adjacent said tray means operative to move from one position in the sheet path to a second position out of the sheet path in response to the discrete electrical signals, stapling means operative to drive staples one at a time into a pile of sheets collected in registration by said gate means and tray means in response to discrete electrical signals, eject means to eject a stapled pile of sheets upon said gate means being moved to a position out of the sheet path, circuit means to control said gate means, stapling means and eject means in timed sequence with the operation of said copier machine, and a rotating paddle member positioned in the sheet path in front of said gate means for imparting a force on said sheet material at right angles to the path against a one of said guide members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |