US3861673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bi-directional sheet transport
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-29
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for transporting sheets in a first direction and then selectively driving the sheets in a different direction, all within a space not substantially larger than the sheet. The sheet is transported by a plurality of rotating balls mounted in a ball carriage. The balls are in two interspersed sets, and drive discs are mounted to selectively engage one set of balls for rotation in one sheet driving direction or the other set of balls for rotation in the other sheet driving direction. The selection of the sheet driving direction may be accomplished by a slight shifting of the ball carriage. Mating overlying balls can be provided for engaging the opposite surface of the sheet. This apparatus is also disclosed as part of a book cover insertion system.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond G Ticknor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/06; B65H5/062; B65H29/00; B65H29/58; B65H29/60; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/30; B65H2301/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for sheet transport where the sheet may be driven in a first direction of motion and then in a second and different direction of motion by the same apparatus comprising; a ball carriage for rotatably retaining a plurality of balls in a spaced apart relationship; first and second sets of individual balls rotatably mounted to said ball carriage positioned to engage a sheet, individual balls of said first and second sets of balls being interspersed, and spaced from one another on said ball carriage, drive means engaging only one of said first and second sets of balls at a time, said drive means, when engaging said first set of balls, rotatably driving said first set of balls in said first direction of motion, said drive means, when engaging said second set of balls, driving said second set of balls in said second direction of motion, and means for shifting said engagement of said drive means from said first set of balls to said second set of balls; wherein said drive means comprises a plurality of rotatably driven and spaced apart frictional drive surface means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for sheet transport where the sheet may be driven in a first direction of motion and then in a second and different direction of motion by the same apparatus comprising; a ball carriage for rotatably retaining a plurality of balls in a spaced apart relationship; first and second sets of individual balls rotatably mounted to said ball carriage positioned to engage a sheet, individual balls of said first and second sets of balls being interspersed, and spaced from one another on said ball carriage, drive means engaging only one of said first and second sets of balls at a time, said drive means, when engaging said first set of balls, rotatably driving said first set of balls in said first direction of motion, said drive means, when engaging said second set of balls, driving said second set of balls in said second direction of motion, and means for shifting said engagement of said drive means from said first set of balls to said second set of balls; wherein said drive means comprises a plurality of rotatably driven and spaced apart frictional drive surface means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said first set of balls is angularly spaced from one of said second set of balls relative to each of said frictional drive surface means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for shifting the engagement of said drive means comprises means for slightly shifting said ball carriage relative To said drive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said balls and said frictional drive surface means are co-planar, and wherein each said frictional drive surface means is rotatably driven about an axis of rotation extending between said balls perpendicular said plane, and wherein each said frictional drive surface means extends laterally in said plane by a distance sufficient to engage only one of said first or second sets of balls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for sheet transport where the sheet may be driven in a first direction of motion and then in a second and different direction of motion by the same apparatus comprising; a ball carriage for rotatably retaining a plurality of balls in a spaced apart relationship; first and second sets of individual balls rotatably mounted to said ball carriage positioned to engage a sheet, individual balls of said first and second sets of balls being interspersed, and spaced from another on said ball carriage, drive means engaging only one of said first and second sets of balls at a time, said drive means, when engaging said first set of balls, rotatably driving said first set of balls in said first direction of motion, said drive means, when engaging said second set of balls, driving said second set of balls in said second direction of motion, and means for shifting said engagement of said drive means from said first set of balls to said second set of balls; wherein said means for shifting the engagement of said drive means comprises means for slightly shifting said ball carriage and said balls retained therein relative to said drive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for sheet transport where the sheet may be driven in a first direction of motion and then in a second and different direction of motion by the same apparatus comprising; a ball carriage for rotatably retaining a plurality of balls in a spaced apart relationship; first and second sets of individual balls rotatably mounted to said ball carriage positioned to engage a sheet, individual balls of said first and second sets of balls being interspersed, and spaced from another on said ball carriage, drive means engaging only one of said first and second sets of balls at a time, said drive means, when engaging said first set of balls, rotatably driving said first set of balls in said first direction of motion, said drive means, when engaging said second set of balls, driving said second set of balls in said second direction of motion, and means for shifting said engagement of said drive means from said first set of balls to said second set of balls; wherein said means for shifting the engagement of said drive means comprises means for slightly shifting said ball carriage and said balls retained therein relative to said drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ball carriage is shifted linearly in the same direction of motion as the sheet is being driven and shifted by only a small proportion of its dimensions, to effect said shifting of the engagement of said drive means from said first set of balls to said second set of balls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including an aligning edge stop which said sheet can be driven into engagement against in said first direction of motion by said first set of balls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for shifting the engagement of said drive means comprises means for slightly shifting said ball carriage relative to said drive means actuated automatically by engagement of a sheet against said edge stop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second direction of motion is at right angles to said first direction of motion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including a second ball carriage overlying said first ball carriage and shifting therewith, and additional balls in said second ball carriage opposing and mating with said balls in said first carriage for engaging sheets therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |