Granted Patent B2

US 7,922,226 · App. 11/483,862 · Granted Apr 12, 2011

Abstract

Claims (52)

1. A printed product conveyor comprising a plurality of grippers for gripping a printed product each gripper including:

a rotatable first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot;

a rotatable second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;

a first link rigidly connecting the first gripper arm and second gripper arm; and

a second link having a spring, the second link connected to the first link;

the first and second gripper pads gripping a printed product,

the second link including a dowel and a plurality of sliding links,

wherein the second link moves upward and the first link resists movement upward so a first sliding link compresses the spring due to resistance from the first link.

2. A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:

conveying a printed product via a signature transport device;

rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, the rotating occurring via a motor timed to the signature transport device;

rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;

moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;

moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link; and

moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product being conveyed on the signature transport device;

the second link being connected to the first link, the second link compensating for different thicknesses in printed products.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising the step of transporting a folded printed product.

4. A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:

conveying a printed product via a signature transport device;

rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, the rotating occurring via a motor timed to the signature transport device;

rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;

moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;

moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link, the second link being connected to the first link, the second link compensating for different thicknesses in printed products;

moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product being conveyed on the signature transport device; and

compressing the spring as the first and second gripper pads move downwardly to grip printed product.

5. A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:

rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot;

rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;

moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;

moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link; and

moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip a printed product;

the second link being connected to the first link,

sliding the second link upwardly as the first and second gripper pads grip a printed product;

sliding a first sliding link of the second link downwardly; and

compressing the spring of the second link.

6. A saddle stitcher comprising:

a plurality of grippers for gripping a printed product; and

an escalator tucker for lifting the printed product up to be gripped by the grippers, the escalator tucker being geared to the plurality of grippers,

each gripper including:

a rotatable first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot;

a rotatable second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;

a first link rigidly connecting the first gripper arm and second gripper arm; and

a second link having a spring, the second link connected to the first link, the second link compensating for different thicknesses in printed products;

the first and second gripper pads gripping a printed product.

7. A method for gripping a printed product comprising the steps of:

conveying a printed product via a signature transport device;

rotating a first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, the rotating occurring via a motor timed to the signature transport device;

rotating a second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot;

moving a first link downward or upward to open or close the gripper arms;

moving a second link having a spring in the same direction as the first link; and

moving the first and second gripper pads downwardly to grip the printed product being conveyed on the signature transport device;

the second link being connected to the first link, the second link permitting gripping printed products of varying thickness without adjustment to the gripper.

Assignments (9)