US3945635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power stacker
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1974-07-19
•
Granted: 1976-03-23
•
Expires: 1994-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A stand-alone power stacker for envelopes and similar type planar articles is provided wherein two end to end arcuately adjustable belt conveyors are adapted to be driven at automatically varying relative speeds depending on load conditions. The machine drive motor is controlled by a sensing means that detects the presence of each envelope that is delivered to the upstream end of the stacker and a time delay control circuit is provided to delay a termination of operation of said motor for a selected time period after said sensing means has completed a sensing operation. The arcuate adjustability of the outer ends of said conveyors permits the upstream one of said conveyors to receive envelopes, etc. from various heights and the downstream one of said conveyors to generate envelope stacks of desired compactness or density.
Inventors
- 👤 Mario J. Marin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H43/00; B65H29/00; B65H29/16; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/42; B65H2301/421; B65H2301/4214; B65H2301/42144; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/1916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation, the respective inner ends of said first and second conveyor means being articulately supported by said frame, and the respective outer ends of said first and second conveyor means being adjustably supported with respect to the frame; drive means for operating said conveyor means, said drive means including a positive drive for the upstream conveyor means and a yieldable slower drive for the downstream conveyor; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means to control said drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation, the respective inner ends of said first and second conveyor means being articulately supported by said frame, and the respective outer ends of said first and second conveyor means being adjustably supported with respect to the frame; drive means for operating said conveyor means, said drive means including a positive drive for the upstream conveyor means and a yieldable slower drive for the downstream conveyor; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means to control said drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a means for altering the driven speed of at least one of said conveyor means in response to the load experienced by said one of said conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said control means includes a time delay means for causing the continuation of operation of said drive means for a predetermined period following termination of a sensing operation by said sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a yieldable drive means and a positive drive means for one of said conveyor means, said yieldable drive means being adapted to normally drive said one conveyor means at a speed greater than that produced by said positive drive means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said positive drive connection includes an overruning clutch means and wherein said one conveyor means is disposed downstream from the other of said conveyor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said drive means is adapted to drive the downstream one of said conveyor means at a slower speed than that at which the upstream conveyor means is driven.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 additionally comprising an abutment bracket plate pivotally connected to the downstream end of said second conveyor means, and means to adjustably lock said plate in various angular positions relative to said second conveyor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
A power stacker: comprising a frame; at least one conveyor means mounted on said frame; drive means for said conveyor means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means; said drive means including a yieldable drive connection and a positive drive connection whereby said conveyor means may be yieldably driven at relatively high speeds by said yieldable drive connection and whereby said conveyor means may be driven by said positive drive connection when the effective speed at which said yieldable drive means drives said conveyor means drops to the effective drive speed of said positive drive connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A power stacker: comprising a frame; at least one conveyor means mounted on said frame; drive means for said conveyor means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means; said drive means including a yieldable drive connection and a positive drive connection whereby said conveyor means may be yieldably driven at relatively high speeds by said yieldable drive connection and whereby said conveyor means may be driven by said positive drive connection when the effective speed at which said yieldable drive means drives said conveyor means drops to the effective drive speed of said positive drive connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8: additionally comprising control sensing means for said driven means; said control means being arranged so as to be operative to actuate said drive means in response to the delivery of an article to be stacked to said power stacker.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said control means includes a time delay means to delay the shutoff of said drive means for a period following termination of a sensing operation by said control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 9: additionally comprising an additional conveyor means mounted on said frame in end to end relation with respect to said one conveyor means, said sensing means being adapted to sense when an article is delivered to said additional conveyor means, and said driven means being adapted to drive said additional conveyor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein said conveyor means is swingably adjustably mounted in said frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
A power stacker for planar articles: comprising a frame; a first and second belt conveyor means carried by said frame in end to end relation; the mutually adjacent ends of said belt conveyor means being pivotally supported on said frame; means for securing the respective outer ends of said belt conveyor means in selected positions relative to said frame; drive means for operating said first and second belt conveyor means; and control means for controlling the operating of said drive means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
A power stacker for planar articles: comprising a frame; a first and second belt conveyor means carried by said frame in end to end relation; the mutually adjacent ends of said belt conveyor means being pivotally supported on said frame; means for securing the respective outer ends of said belt conveyor means in selected positions relative to said frame; drive means for operating said first and second belt conveyor means; and control means for controlling the operating of said drive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13 wherein said drive means is adapted to normally drive said first conveyor means at an effective speed that is greater than that for said second conveyor means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13 wherein said two conveyor means are driven at their respective mutually adjacent inner ends by said drive means, and wherein said drive means includes two different drive connections for driving one of said conveyor means at different speeds respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 15 wherein said drive means includes an overrunning clutch and a yieldable drive connection associated with the downstream one of said conveyor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein said control means includes a switch means and a means for delaying the termination of operation of said drive means for a predetermined selected period following termination of a sensing operation by said switch means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 17: additionally comprising a plate bracket pivotally adjustably mounted on the end of said downstream conveyor means, and article abutment means adjustably mounted on said end plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said switch means is adapted to be operated by an article that is delivered to the upstream end of said first conveyor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
110 words
A power stacking device; comprising a frame; conveyor means mounted on said frame, said conveyor means including two conveyors disposed in an end to end relationship; drive means for operating said conveyor means; control means for controlling the operation of said drive means; said control means including switch means, the operation of said switch means serving to initiate operation of said drive means; time delay means for enabling the continued operation of said drive means for a short period of time following the termination of operation of said switch means; and abutment means pivotally mounted on the downstream end of said conveyor means, and carrying a slidably adjustable abutment plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
110 words
A power stacking device; comprising a frame; conveyor means mounted on said frame, said conveyor means including two conveyors disposed in an end to end relationship; drive means for operating said conveyor means; control means for controlling the operation of said drive means; said control means including switch means, the operation of said switch means serving to initiate operation of said drive means; time delay means for enabling the continued operation of said drive means for a short period of time following the termination of operation of said switch means; and abutment means pivotally mounted on the downstream end of said conveyor means, and carrying a slidably adjustable abutment plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation, the respective inner ends of said conveyor means being articulately carried by said frame; and the respective outer ends thereof being adjustably supported with respect to said frame; drive means for operating said conveyor means; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controlling the operation of said drive means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation, the respective inner ends of said conveyor means being articulately carried by said frame; and the respective outer ends thereof being adjustably supported with respect to said frame; drive means for operating said conveyor means; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controlling the operation of said drive means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation; drive means for operating said conveyor means, said drive means including a yieldable drive means and a positive drive means for one of said conveyor means, said yieldable drive means being adapted to normally drive said one conveyor means at a speed greater than that produced by said positive drive means; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controlling the operation of said drive means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation; drive means for operating said conveyor means, said drive means including a yieldable drive means and a positive drive means for one of said conveyor means, said yieldable drive means being adapted to normally drive said one conveyor means at a speed greater than that produced by said positive drive means; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controlling the operation of said drive means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
135 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation; drive means for operating said conveyor means, said drive means including a yieldable drive means and a positive drive means for one of said conveyor means, said yieldable drive means being adapted to normally drive said one conveyor means at a speed greater than that produced by said positive drive means, said positive drive means including an overrunning clutch means and said one conveyor means being disposed downstream from the other of said conveyor means; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controlling the operation of said drive means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
135 words
A power stacking device for planar articles: comprising a frame; first and second conveyor means mounted on said frame and arranged in end to end relation; drive means for operating said conveyor means, said drive means including a yieldable drive means and a positive drive means for one of said conveyor means, said yieldable drive means being adapted to normally drive said one conveyor means at a speed greater than that produced by said positive drive means, said positive drive means including an overrunning clutch means and said one conveyor means being disposed downstream from the other of said conveyor means; sensing means for determining when an article is delivered to one of said conveyor means; and control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controlling the operation of said drive means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2233151A
Cited
US3336028A
Cited
US3321202A
Cited
US3378254A
Cited
US3542362A
Cited
US3565423A
Cited
US3776544A
Cited
US3527460A
Cited
US3752043A
Cited
US3700232A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-23 | 1979-09-22 | 1980-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-23 | 1983-09-22 | 1984-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-23 | 1987-09-22 | 1988-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |