US1791081A - Bookmaking machine - Google Patents

Description

E. R. SEITER BOOKMAKING MACHINE Feb. 3, 1931.

3 sheets-sheet 1 Filed DSC. 9, 1926 NVENTOB BY J Huw@ f ATTORNEYS.

Ffb 39 L E. Fa. SENER BOOKMKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 yInn/Emol? BV @mm iwi@ Filed Deo. 9, 1925 @Mk1/ ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1931. E. R. sElTER BOOKMAKING MACHINE Filed Dec.

9. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 www SN INVENTQiR SWW@ R. Smm

BY K

A'ITORNEY.

Patented Feb; 3, 1931 UNITED ..-STATS PATENT OFFICE EUGENE vR. SEITR, F RIDGEFIELD PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO T. W. & C. B.

SHERIDAN COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK BOOKMAK'ING MACHINE This invention is a novelfbook'making machine or apparatus, and relates more espef cially to the class of apparatus used for the manufacture. of magazines or other pamphlets.

Considered in its entirety, the present invention comprises three combined and coopf erating machines, namely, first a machine for gathring'or. collating signatures or sheets into the groups which are to constitute the pamphlets, second a machine or mechanism for attaching together the assembled groups of' signatures, illustrated by the ltype of mechanism for applying stitches or wire ering lmore fully set forth.

In order to establish `the position of the,

staples adjacent to the back edges of the roups-or pamphlets, and third a machine or applying covers or backings t0 the gathered and attached signature groups; and the4 invention involves a certain intercombination of said three machines, or subcombinations of less than all of them, as will b`e September 16, 1913, involving an endless clamp train carrying the groups through the successive operations; lwhile Bredenberg Patent No. 1,051,074 of January 21, 1913, Reissue No. 14,485 of June 11, 1918, shows a gathering machine delivery connected up for v.automatic transfer of the signature groups into the clamps of such a machine, to be bound and' covered. An improved clamp train machine for binding and coverin the signature groups is shown in Bredenr Patent No. 1,248,252 of November 27, 1917:?l Clark Patent No. 1,392,117 of September 27 1921 shows the gluing operation of such a .clamp train machine. The triple combinasignature gath` tion of a gathering machine, a wire stitching or stapling-machine and a clamp train covering machine is 'shown in LarivierePatent No. 1,583,889 of May 11, 1926.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a novel intercombination of the gatherer, stitcher and coverer, or any two of them, ina manner to aii'ord increased rate of output, more especially in the case of Ymanufacturing books involving a relatively small number of signatures or sheets. A further Objectis to aiord an apparatus which may be convertible so as to give they usual steps and output for full size or thickness of pamphlets in one adjustment, and in another adjustment the special operation and increased output already ex lained. A further object is to ai'ord a stitcher capable of such increased output by a multiplex operation, as will be described, and having such convertibility, and which is improved in action and eiiciency, especially inregard to the compression of the signature groups for the stitching operation. A further object is to improve the o eration and convenience of the gatherer. ther and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be explained in the hereinafter followin description of an illustrative embodiment t ereof, or will be understood to those skilled in the industry. To the attainment of such objects and advantages the present invention consists in the novel book making machine and the novel features'of combination, arrangement, operation and structure herein illustrated or described.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1, 9in top plan view, is a diagrammatic layout of an intercombination of gatherer, stitcher and coverer constituting an illustrative embodiment of the principles of this invention.

Fig; 2, on an enlarged scale,'is a plan view of certain details shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a right end elevation of the gathering machine partly in section taken substantially on the line 3-*3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view taken partly in section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 isa top plan view` on an enlarged scale of the stitching machine shown in Fig. 1.

Flhe entire combination includes, besides the gathering, stitching and covering units, a conveyor or advanncing means by which the successive signature groups are carried along and transferred from each unitto the next, and power` drive mechanism with connections extending to the conveyor, the gatlu crer, the stitcher and the coverer tor operating them in coordination.

llt will be convenient iirst to refer to the conveyor or book advancing means, and this is shown as consisting oi an elongated flexible traveling element in the i'orin or" an endless chain 1G, which may be a sprocket chain, and passing around sprocket wheels at its ends. and suitably supported by sprocket wheels or otherwise at various intermediate points, as is well understood in the art. las a means oi' engaging and advancing the successive signature groups the conveyor chain is shown formed with engaging members or pins ll which may stand upwardly from the chain at the gatherer, and horizontally at the stitcher, the chains flexibility permitting this; while the return stretch may be put under tension by idlers.y and may travel i tn the pins above, as inoicated in 3. "lhe engagement of the conveyor with the succes sive groups may be in various ways, is illustrated as consisting merely in the 'thrusting forwardly of the groups by the upstanding pins 11, while the groups are suitably supported iiatwise or upright as will he described. rl`he spaces or sections between the engagers or pins corresponds with the spacing oi the signature stacks in the gatherer.

Referring to the diagram lig. 1 the conveyor chain 10 is indicated as passing longitudinally through the length oit the gathering unit 12 and thence along the delivery support 13 ot the gatherer, which support may be twisted so as'to tilt each advancing group from Hatwise to upright position, and 'then along an upright guide chute ll, through which the groups are advanced with the back edges-oi the signatures downward and so brought into'the stitching unit 15, where wire staples or other signature uniting means is applied. rlihe conveyor chain might here be diverted, while the clamping means of the stitcher holds and advances the groups, and. 'a conveyor arranged between the stitcher and Coverer, but, diagrammatically the chain 10 is indicated as passing continuously through the stitcher to the covering unit 16, where it passes around a sprocket wheel 17 and returns idly to the initial end ot the gathering unit.

'lfhe power may be derived from any suitable source, herein represented as an electric motor 18, the shaft 19 of which carries a belt pulley 20. 'lhe motor may be of the variable speed type with a dynamic brake control or other device 21 for regulating the speed ol the motor so that the drive may be edected avancer either at the regular or low speed, not above the sate speed. ior this type oi apparatus, or at the special high, double or multiple speed as will be urther explained. il. belt 22 is shown connecting the motor pulley with pulley 23 on an initial drive. shaft 2d, 'through which power is delivered to all pon tions ci the apparatus. For convenience or incidentally the initial shait 2l constitutes also the main shaft ot the covering unit, although it is obvious that the power connections to the other units need not be carried through the coverer, so long as they all operate in unison. @n the drive shatt is shown a bevel gear 25 engaging a bevel to which is connected a sprocket wheel 27 connected by a chain 28 with a sprocket wheel 29 on a short transverse shaft 30, which also carries the sprocket wheel or pulley 17 which engages drives the conveyor chain 16. By these means the power is-communicsl to theconveyor chain, which will :un at regular or low speed, or at the special or speed, according to the adjustment or speed changing device 21.

The shaft 2d is shown extended leitward at 31 be; ond the covering unit to an exterior point w ere connections may be made 'ier the driving1 ot the stitching and gathering units, and this shaft extension being an vantageous point at which to apply the tor or other power source. The shaft 3l is provided with a sprocket wheel 32, which may be termed the regular driving sprocket wheel and a sprocket wheel 32a which may be termed the special driving sprocket wheel, as these two sprocket wheels, respectively, take part in the regular operation or in the special or multiple operation to be described. 'lhe sprocket wheel 32 operates through a sprocket chain 33 to drive a regular driven sprocket wheel 34 carrying a regular clutch member 35 and ruiming loose on a shaft 36, while the sprocket wheel 32a drives a sprocket chain 33a engaging a special driven sprocket wheel 34a carrying a special clutch member 35 and also running loose on the shalt 36. The special driven sprocket wheel 34a is shown a multiple ot the diameter oi the regular driven sprocket wheel 34, namely twice the diameter, so that when the drive is through the special parts the shaft 36 will be driven at relatively half of its speed when driven through the regular connections. rllhe conversion or adjustment trom one set of connections to the other may be effected, tor example, by a shitting double clutch member 37 slidable longitudinally on the shaft 36 but connected thereto by a key or feather 38 compelling the shaft to rotate with the clutch member. The. clutch member has clutch teeth at both ends facing the compleinentary clutch members 35 and 35a, and centrally is formed with a groove 39 engaged by the opposite studs of a yoked shipper lever 40, so that by throwing the lever to right or left the connections can be thrown into their regular or their special adjustment.

The shaft 36 is shown as passing through the stitching unit l5 and may be termed the drive shaft of the stitcher, operating the mechanism for forming, driving and clinching the wire stitches orV staples. For convenience the gathering unit may be driven by extensions from the same shaft 36, or in such other manner as to partake of the same rate of operation as that of the stitching unit, for reasons to be described. For this purpose the shaft 36 is shown extended at 42, and a pair of meshing gears 43 transmits the rotation to a further shaft 44 extending to the gatherer. As shown in Figs. l and \3 the shaft 44 carries at its left end a pinion 45 engaging a gear 46 which carries a pinion 47 engaged with a gear 48 mounted on what may be termed the drive shaft 49of the gathering machine. f

llPower connections have thus been described for driving the conveyor and the gathering, stitching and covering units in coordination. The regular clutch is shown disengaged from the clutch on the shaft 36, while the special clutch 35a is engaged thereto, so that, owing to the larger size of the sprocket wheel 34a the shaft 36 is being driven relatively at half speed, and communicating this drive to the stitcher and the gatherer. The actual speed however is the full or regular speed since it is the plan of this invention, when the special connections are in effect, to operate the source of power 18, or its connections to the initial drive shaft 24, at

double speed, the device 2l being shown in such adjustment. The result is that with the adjustment shown the gathering and stitching units are driven at regular or normal speed, or at `a safe speed not above the regularspeed,l while the initial drive shaft 24- is rotating at a multiple or double the regular speed, with the result that the covering unit is driven at double speed and the conveyor chainis driven at double speed. By throwing the lever 40 in the other direction so as to shift the clutch 37, and at the same time lthrowing the regulator 2l to reduce the drive to regular speed, the entire apparatus, conveyor, gatherer, stitcher and covererk will be operated at regular speed. rlhis will be the usual operation of the machine whenmanufacturingl pamphlets of substantial thickness or containing a large number of signatures i duplicates, and would be designated S, S,

but that the drawing does not extend back or sheets. l/Vhen the special adjustment is put into eect the gathering unit and the stitching unit will be operated differently, as will be described, this permitting substantially a multiple or double output of the entire combination when operating upon pamphlets of small thickness or having a small number of signatures. The gatherer and stitcher will r then continue to beoperated at a regular or safe speed, but in a duplex or multiple'manner, as will be described, the conveyor carrying the signature groups through at double or multiple speed, and the covering machine being of a type which can handle the output at the double or multiple speed, thus effectively multiplying theoutput of the apparatus, and without any resulting drawbacks, when operating on thinner pamphlets.

In one sense the stitcher and gatherer may be considered in one mechanical circuit and the coverer and conveyor in another mechanical circuit, the two circuits relatively adjustable so that in all operations the stitcher and gatherer can be operated at a regular or safe speed, while the coverer and conve'yor can be operated either at the same speed,

for regular output, or at double or multiple speed, for double or multiple output. While vthe'conveyor has been herein illustrated as the power connections the travel of the groups must be coordinated with the ygatherer, stitcher and coverer, so that when disengaging and reengaging the clutch 37 care should be taken that the various units are incoordination. This could be insured by employing 'a single tooth engagement 'between clutch member 37 and the respective coacting regular and special clutch members 35 and 35a, fthe ysame result being attainable y designating marks on the respective memers. 1

While the present invention could be employed with triple, quadruple or other multiple operation and speed, it is herein for convenience shown employed only for double or duplex operation and speed, and the apparatus-will be described as such, it being understood that the same principles could be extended as stated. As usual a series or piles of signatures is maintained in the gatherer, but instead of these being the successive signatures pf the book they are arranged in duplex or repeated order.' The signatures being lettered S, the first two piles will be to the lirst endof the gatherer. rlhe diagram Fig. l however 4shows signature pile S* and piles Sm, Sm, and piles S, S, considered the speed, in relationto the operation of the gatherer it is obvious thateach accumulating -end of the series. vllt being understood that the conveyor travelsat double the regularv group will receive a signature only Arorn every other pile5 Si Sb etc. to Sm and S, thus nialring a complete signature group G, delivered 7trom 'the linal or right hand end of the gatherer.. This succession or continum ously advancing groups is carried through the stitching point9 Where the groups are united, and thence to the coverer7 Where covers are applied7 the iinal product being delivered as books B as indicated.

Vlhe gatherer in its general principles is on the plan or gatherers long ivell lrnovvn uch as that the l-.fitzendanner Aarent. Vlie drive main shalt i9 is supported in a heavy elongated traine 5l having upward extensions 5 9 ror the ulcrurns or the ein tractors7 etes ithout goingr into unnecessary detail the signature piles il are con- 'tained in series or bones with their lr er inner sides downwardly each signature Toile and box there is prov a separator lnor example of the suction type, operated :troni the rnain shaft alti, to contact the ioiverroost sheet and dran7 its edge downwardly suction., a separator bar or er 55 which thereupon thrusts into lo above the lowest signature so as 'to raise the cin the Weight or the pile., an oscillating extractor 136 lulcrurned upon an upper shaft or axle 57 so as to swing inwardly grasp the separated lowest signature and draw outwardly and release it in 'iront oi' one ol3 the engagera or lingers ll or the conveyor, as is usual in gathering machines 7'Fhe extractors 5d which are indicated diagranirnatically in l, rnayyall be operated in unison, inoving inwardly in each cycle to grasp the signatures9 and moving outwardly together to release the signatures upon the conveyor. The oscillationoil each extractor may be through an upper extension 58 connected by linlr or'rod 5@ to a suitable earn or cranlr on a countershait 60,.driven Yrora rnain shaft e9., all of which connertions are Well lrnoWn and require no detail description. Another 1irnovvn leature herein shown is an adjustable receiving support or basket 6l comprising a transverse bar carrying a pair or adjustable longitudinal rods or Wires, arranged so that as the gripper or an extractor releases a signature it will 'tall on support 6l, and will be removed from the support by the upstanding pin or finger ll of the conveyor. 'lhe accumulating groups rest on a receiving plate ,or chute 62 as they are pushedorwardly, and this is inclined to ensure the self alinement of the signatures, and the plate is shown -adjiustable in incline by devices 63 comprising a shalt rotatable at will to alter the adjustment.

rThe signature gripper comprises the relatively fixed upper jaw 6l and the movable lower jaw 65 having'a tail 66 actuated by a rod 67 normally pulled upwardly by a light Si igreinei spring 68 to hold the iavv open but thrust downwardly to close the gripper on the signature a earn device 69 on a countershailt 210. These poi/ver connections for closing the gripper are actuated hv sproclret ch in 'll between the drive Shar; and countershait 70. The downward thrust or cani 69 operates through a strong spring 72, so that the gripper will close iirinly but yieldingly on vthe signature.

lt is customary to employ a detecting nieans or teeler controlled by the of the signature drawn out from that case two signatures are ex t none', or a signature o'l detective lness, the delect will be indicated and permit its correction. For this' 'ourpose a bracket T3 is shown supported on nner onera'ing This sinall braclre:U nas a hole and carries a ieeler pin lo n Tsrdly and vertically adjustaole to co operate with a ieeler or micro. eter finder belovv @n every descent ol' the rod Si' the gripper 'Wi close upon trie signature ard the f Contact and da joress the ari. o 'he the upwardly extendingq i icrorne The niuitinled movement at the 77 is utilized to l nrors in 'the signatures extracted. movement transmitted 'to a bell cranlr lever 'l which carriesan engaging; rneinber or lrniie, coole eratingr with a vpair ci engaging members spaced to torni a gate to receive the lrniie and Aby an audible alarm; and it is also Well lrnoivn to connect the detecting' mechanism to stop the machine or effect the'discardingg o' the detective signature or group.. A control rod or hand bar 83 is shown by which the machine can be stopped or started at will.

i While such feeling and detecting devices have been generally used and known they are subject to a disadvantage in that when made and arranged in an e'ective and rugged manner :lor ordinary detection9v namely ol si natures consisting or a number off thc nesses of paper7 they arenot sulhciently sen sitive and can not be adjusted 'lor uniform action in detecting errors in very thin signatures,I or single sheets. For example il the gripper should pull out two instead of one single sheet it would be important to detect this and yet the ordinary detector would not be reliable.; l have therefore provided the adjustment shownin Fig. 3. and enlarged in Fig. 4. This consists in providing means detecting usual signatures, but when shifted to the dotted line position it is obvious that .any variation of the thickness of the gripped signature will cause a much-greater multio plication of movement at the top of theupwardn arm 77, thus indicating a very fine error of thickness. The sensitivity of the feeling device depends on the distance of lthe feeler pin from the fulcrum of the feeler arm. In Fig. 3 the dotted position of` the pin is about one third as far from the fulcrum as is the full line position, giving therefore three times the sensitiveness, and this principle can be carried to any desiredextent.

The following are the alterations in the gatherer when changing from regular to multiple operation and vice versa. For du- "handling parts.

.plex operation the signatures are arranged 1n duplex order as indicated in Fig. 1, Whereas they will be in single series order for regular operations. Theextractors may operate Y in the same manner in either case and, at the same or regular speed. Indeed it is highly important that the gathering machine, with the fairly heavy oscillating extractors, should not be operated above a safe speed. The eX- tractors possess inertia and these and the connected parts would be the cause of prohibitive vibration, wear andv defective action.V

The mechanism therefore of the gatherer will be substantially unaltered, exceptl that the conveyor 10 which runs through the length of the machine and on which the accumulating signature groups are carried, will`be operated at a relative double speed. This coordinates with the duplex arrangement of the .signatures since each'conveyor space or unit will, in the duplex operation, travel the distance of two signature boxes, and thus receive only one signature of each variety S to S. By this arrangement and operation the gatherer, when used forpamphlets 'of half size or smaller, can be made to turn out double or multiple the number of pamphlets in a given time, without increasing the actual speed of the extractors and other signature The successive signature groups are identical, the same as with re ular operation, and this traveling series o signature groups G passes out from the gatherer delivery and is tilted to upright position and thence fed into the Wire stitching machine 15.

The wire stitching machine is representative of any suitable mechanism for attaching together the signature groups. Preferably it forms, ydrives and clinclies wire stitches or staples. This machine, like the gatherer, comprises heavy reciprocating parts, and its safe and proper speed of operation is thereby restricted. It is the plan of the present invention to operate the stitcher at the same regular speed for multiple as well as for regular operation, and cause it to handle the increased number of books by substantially duplicating the` staple forming, driving and clinching mechanisms, so that the stitcher 1n each actuation receives two books and staples them simultaneously and delivers them for conveyance to the covering machine. A similar result obviously could be obtained by employing two separate or distinct stitching machines, one following the other, the'rst -one attending to the stitching of every second book, and the second one attending to the stitching ofthe remaining books; In elther case, however, an alteration or adj ustment` is here made in the stitching mechanism in order that it may cooperate properly with the conveyor, traveling at slow speed in the regular operation and traveling at double or multiplespeed in the special operation of the apparatus. This, as will be described more 1n detail, is herein accomplished by causing the sta'plingdevices to move forwardly-'along the path of book traveling during the drivlng and clinching of the staplesat a slow or regular speed during the regular operatlon, but at an increased or double speed with the duplex operation, and preferably at the .same time altering the amplitude of such reclprocation so that the staple driving and clinching actions will be allowed the full period of time ineither case.

The wire stitcher is shown only diagram- 4matically in Fig. 1, but more in detail 1n the plan view of Fig. 5. The general principles are well known and the mechanism will not be described any more in detail than necessary to disclose the principles of the )resent improvement. The wire stitcher rame 85 extends longitudinally of the direction of travel and supports the various operating mechanisms, all of which are actuated from the stapler main shaft 36 already referred to. y

Certain parts of the stapler, including what may be termed the carriage or table 86, are arranged to be reciprocated longitudinally as. stated. Outside of the stitcher table is shown a driving bar 87, which does not partake of theD longitudinal reciprocation, but is capable of being'thrust inwardly by toggles 88 operated by a cam 89 on a countershaft 90 to produce the driving movements ofthe stapler. At the other side of the book path is a pressure bar 91 operated by toggle mechanism 92 and connection 93 to move inwardly at the proper point of time to engage and ,squeeze each book against the opposite table.

As already stated these group clamping or squeezing parts 86 and 91 are arranged to reciprocate bodily, and in Jtact, as will be errplained, they will preferably be moving lorward faster than the travel of the conveyor chain 10 at the time ot gripping the books, so as to carry the books forwardly away from the engagingl pins 11 or the conveyor, thus independently holding the books during the staple driving and clinching operations and subsequently releasing the books to be again engaged by the conveyor, while the stapling devices return `tor a repeated operation., llt will be noted that the parts 80 and 91 are double the length necessary to operate upon a single book and so are able to receive and staple two books in one operation. "lhus the table 80 is shown as carrying two staple `torming devices or stitcher heads @t which may be termed the regular stapling heads, and two additional or special stapling heads @flag these so arranged that while the heads 9d are forming two staples to be driven in one book the devices 94a are operating similarly in respect to the preceding book, so that, as

stated, the stitching mechanism at each operation staples two successive signature groups, giving double rate output without increasing the speed ot the mechanism. 'lhe wire *for the staples may be furnished by two spools 95 supplying wire to the two staple forming devices 9d, and two other spools 95a furnishing wire to the staple iiormers 9&3, through wire straighteners 96.

The two pairs et stitcher heads 9d and 94"- inay be of well lrnown type, with wire cutting and staple forming means operated by the staple driver, and wire feeding means operated during the return movement off the table by underneath mechanism 97 shown in dotted lines, this being adjustable to contorni to the throw ot the table, whether long or short, which is utilized Jfor the feeding operation. ldach stitcher head has a clinoher extension 98 beneath the book path, and the clinching devices may be actuated by a slide rod 99 movable in the presser 91, and a Contact 100 for throwing the rod to edect the clinching, with a complementary contact 100*L for restoring the parts on the return motion. The table is shown midway in its forward motion, with the clamping elements 80, 91 closed on the two books (not shown), and the staples about to be driven, and later clinched, atter which the pressure bar 91 will withdraw outwardly so as to adord a wide opening to receive trom the guide chute 1t the next two signature roups.. Each of the two sets of stitching evices might consist of three instead et a pair of devices.

lit remains to describe the longitudinal reoiprocation of the wire stitching mechanism, or rather of the stitcher table 86, pressure bar 91, and parts carried thereby. rlfhere is shown a vertical shaft 101, driven. by bevel gear trom the main shaft 36, and making one meneer complete turn for each cycle. llt its upper end the shaft 101 drives a crank arm 102 carrying a block 103 connected by a rod or link 104 with the under side of the table. This gives a smooth cross head motion to the reciprocating parts, and the motion is timed, so that the book is gripped during the torward acceleration ot the table at a time when the mechanism is traveling slightly faster than the conveyor, so that the books are clamped, held and carried forward without interference with the conveyor, the book being again released after the staple driving and clinching actions and betere the conveyor pins have again overtaken the books. The crank 102 and block 103 have not only the adjustment which is shown in full lines, giving double amplitude or throw of reciprocation, but also an adjustment of the block 103 to the position 103a wherein the amplitude is halt' of that shown, this or other adjustment being ellected by a screw 105. The shorter crank arm, with the shorter throw is such as to take part in the regular operation of the apparatus, with the conveyor travelinn' at regular or slow speed l With the full or double arm adjustment, and the double reciprocation throw indicated by the path 106 of the crank pin, the machine is adapted to the double speed travel of the conveyor, and as the double speed is accompanied by double amplitude of throw maniestly the period of action is the same in the two cases, so that the tull period of time is allowed for the staple forming, driving and clinching actions. With this special or double throw it will readily be seen that the stitching table with the two pairs of forming heads, after applying staples to two signature groups, move back to initial position while the conveyor moves "forward, so that on the next'actuation the next two succeeding groups are operated on.A The stitching machine is thereby rendered capable of double the normal output, without any increase or change ot speed or action with the exception of the enlarged crank throw producing the double lengthwise reciprocation, and the resetting of the wire feeding cam mechanism 97, as stated.

When operating in the regular manner, at regular amplitude of reciprocation, upon a series of groups traveling at regular speed, each book after being stapled by the first pair of heads 9e would be subject to being again stapled by the second pair 94 thus inserting tour staples in each book. lthough the two additional staples could be oiset with respect to the irst two this operation is undesirable, and the preferred operation is to render inoperative the stapling devices 94a during regular or slow operation of the apparatus, either by disconnecting the staple forming devices or preventing the 'eed of the wires thereto; or, the middle two staple formers could be thrown out vof action, so that each traveling group would receive one staple in one operation and its second staple in a -subsequent operation; or the forming heads could be re-positioned longitudinally to give the desired result.

. From the stitcher the continuous succession of stapled signature groups travels to the cover 16, which is preferably driven in the same manner as the conveyor,'namely in a continuous manner and at the regular low speed or the special high or double speed, the same as the conveyor. The coverer is shown as comprising a frame or track 109 around which travels an endless train of clamps 110. The mode of construction and connection of the clamps may be substantially as shown in said Bredenberg Patent 1,248,- 252 and need not be described here. The clamps may be driven from a large horizontal sprocket 111 through a reducing bevel gear 112- on the shaft 24, in such ratio that the clamp train will advance the distance of one clamp for each signature group. The signature groups pass along with the conveyor 10 and are brought 'up into the clamps 110 by an infeed 114:, the mechanism of which may be similar to said Patent 1,248,252, and following the infeed, around the horizontal orbit of the clamps, are indicated a gluer 115, a cover applier 116 and a cover breaker 117, the mechanisms of which may b esimilar to said prior patent. From the cover breaker the completed pamphlets travel around one end of the machine-and are discharged by the opening of athe clamps, b'eing received upon a delivery support or belt 118. Thecovering machine of said Bredenberg patent is capable of the relatively double speed referred to so that, as already explained, the coverer and the conveyor may be runat the double speed when desired, while the gatherer and stitcher are operated at vthe regular or low speed. The clutch 37 may be considered as a means of allowin the coverer and conveyor to be run at dou le speed without increasing the speeds of the gatherer and stitcher. In one sense the clamp train 110 of the conveyor constitutes a conveying means which is a continuation ofthe conveyor chain 10, and the two together may be considered as a conveying means extending through .the gatherer and stitcher and through the coverer .from the infeed to the delivery, while the signature groups are gathered and subsequently stitched and thereafter glued, covered and 1 shaped by the cover breaker before final delivery as completed products.

In fact, the uniting or stapling of the groups could be effected in the same clamps or clamp train in which the covers are applied, so long as, in the case ofstapling, the amplitude of travel and period of action are increased with the duplex operation. Where a stitching machine is used, as herein described,- whether or not fed with groups direct from a duplex operating gatherer, its v stapled product may be conveyed to the covering unit, or in some cases may be merely discharged into a packer box, partially obtaining the advantages hereof. For the purposes of the duplex operating stitcher the double rate supply of signature groups mayv be provided otherwise than as shown, for example by a gatherer using alternating sets of extractors with staggered boxes of signa tures, -as lcovered in Bredenberg Patent 1,177,600.

With the full combination, as disclosed, the regular operation may involve a speed as high as 60 to 70 per minute for the operation of the gatherer, stitcher, coverer and conveyor, whereas with the duplex or two-up operation the conveyor and coverer will run at 120 to 140 per minute, the gatherer at 60 to 7 0 per minute, with duplex signature arrangement, and the stitcher at 60 to 70 per minute, with two groups stapled in each action, and the reciprocation amplitude doubled to allow full time for the stapling operations.

The general combination may be brieiy summarized in the following terms adaptable for expressing the points of novelty in the form of claims. The several mechanisms or units may be described as follows. The gathering mechanism is one in which the signature supplies or piles may be arranged in a given .multiplex order, meaning that the signatures are in repeat order, duplex, triplex, etc. This a matter rather of arrangement than of mechanism and the arrangement, usually duplex, is to correspond with the rate of advancing travel vof the signature groups gathered from the successive supplies. The gatherer ma-y be described as one having a series of signature extractors which operate upon all the signature supplies in each` cycle period. By the cycle period is meant the period of time required by each swinging extractor. to go through its complet-e cycle of movements, and this recurring period or interval may be considered as the operative or basic period of the entire book making apparatus, since substantially the limitof safe speed of the gatherer controls the operationof the entire apparatus. The cycle period may vary; for example, if the gatherer is adjusted for sixty operations per minute the cycle period will be 1/60th minute or one second, while if it is runat seventy cycles per minute the period will be 1/70th minute. The convertibility of the apparatus for either 'the special multiplex operation, or the regufeature of the present invention; and mani- Y festly, on the principles of the invention, the apparatus could be converted from the dul plea or multiplex operation to the regular or single operation, and vice versa, or on the other hand could be converted from one multiplex operation to another, for example from duplex to triplex operation, and vice versa', depending on changes in the thickness of the pamphlets to be manufactured, or the number of signatures contained therein.

lnterconnecting the gatherer and stitcher or equivalent book uniting means is the conveying means, which may consist of one or more group advancing devices arranged in tandem. rl`he` conveying means hereof operates to advance the accumulating signature groups through the gatherer at the travel rate of a given plural number of book spaces or sections in each cycle period; that is, the speed or rate of advance of the groups is two or three or more book spaces or sections of the conveyor in each cycle period or extracting operation. As the multiplex arrangement of the signature supplies corresponds with this multipled travel rate it follows that each group will receive one signature of each kind, so that each group will be complete, whereas two or three completed groups will issue from the gatherer in each cycle period. Thus if the cycle period is one second and the arrangement is duplex two complete groups will issue every second. The conveying means operates to continue the travel of the successive groups to the stitching point.,

The next unit, or that which unites the successive groups, is shown as a stitching mechanism of certain characteristics. rllhe usual stitching mechanism has only a single stitching means, or what maybe termed a stitching set, comprising for example two staple drivers working on the same book at the same time, but the present invention is distin-. guished from the use of such a. stitcher in that it embodies a plurality of stitching sets operating to unite the plural number of successive groups in each cycle period, that is to say two or three or other plural number of groups, as the case may be in each basic cycle period, as determined by the operation of the gatherer, as already described. rllhe distinction mentioned is a highly important one, especially with a continuous travel apparatus, since the use of a plural number of stitching sets, namely two sets, as shown, enables 'two groups to be stapled in the same operation and ecycle period, and preferably simultaneously, thus enabling the duplicate number of signature y groups per minute to be united without cutting in half the already brief period of time available for effecting the staple forming, driving and clinching operations, Specifically, with the herein described stitcher, the full stitching` time permitted by employing the two complete sets of stitching devices and reciprocating them longitudinally of the travel at the increased or double speed of the conveyor, but at increased or double amplimeiner tude, so that the stitching devices may have the usual or full time desirable for the satisfactory performance of their operations. rlhe plurality of stitching sets referred to may comprise stitching devices arranged differently from those shown; for example one group might receive one staple in a first position and a second staple two positions beyond, while a second book receives its first and second staples in alternating positions, so that as said books are receiving their second staples a third book and a fourth book may be receiving their first staples. As with the described arrangement there are a plurality 'of stitching sets, and each stitching device may be allowed its full time for operation.

A feature of claim in the described stitcher is what may be termed the counterbalanced smashing action in the compression of the group between the pressure bar 91 and stitching table 86. Irllhe groups, and the folds or bends at the back of the signatures tend to resist the tight compression which is desirable. The heavy opposite compressing members 85 and 91 and parts carried by them, are thrown forcibly together upon 'the book, being timed to mueet upon the book and thus give an effective smashing compression, which is counterbalanced' in the sense that the operating momenta or inertias of the two members are opposed, not merely giving ideal compression,but mutually talring the impact of each other and so minimizing general vibration or shock in the machine. The compression is momentarily held, during the stitch driving and clinching, by dwells in the mechanisms operating the two members. The compressing action moreover is a rotary one in the sense that the actuating cams, e. g. 89, which throw the members inward are heavy and continuously rotating, so that a fly wheel or inertia eect is produced, assisting in the permanent creasing and Hattening of the signature group and the` back folds thereof, to the improvement of the product of the apparatus.

'lhe covering mechanism, receiving the stitched groups from the stitcher, may be described ashaving a clamp train or other travcling conveyor which carries the groups in procession to the cover applying devices, namely at the rate of a plural number of books in each cycle period, that is, the same plural number asis defined by the travel rate of signature groups through the gathering machine. As-stated the speed of the traveling conveyor or clamp train of the covering mechanism corresponds to that of the conveying means which carries the groups through the gatherer and to the stitcher, and readjustments of speed of Vconveyor and covering mechanism may be effected without requiring the gatherer or stitcher to be operated at excessive speed.

Thus there has been described a book malring apparatus embodying the principles and Vllfi attaining the objects of the present invention.

principles, it is not intended to limit the invention to such matters except to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A book making apparatus comprising conveying means having connections for actuating it for advancing a succession oi signature groups at the travel rate of a given plural number of book spaces or sections in each cycle period, and uniting mechanism having a plurality of uniting sets and means for operating them to unite such plural number of successive groups in each cycle period.

2. A convertible book making apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein is means for reciprocating the uniting sets along the travel line, means associated With the actuating connections for adjusting them to alter the speed of the conveying means, and means associated With the reciprocating means for adjusting them to alter the amplitude of reciprocation of such uniting sets Without altering the rate of action pf said uniting sets.

3. A book making apparatus comprising conveying means having connections for actuating it :tor advancing a succession of signature groups at the travel rate of a given plural number of book spaces or sections in each cycle period, and uniting or stitching mechanism having a plurality of uniting sets and means for operating them to unite such plural number ofsuccessive groups in each cycle period.

4. A book stitching or uniting mechanism having a plurality of uniting devices in longitudinal alinement, a guide for a longitudinal procession'of books, means for feeding a plurality ofx separate books in tandem to the respective "uniting devices in each operation, and means for operating the uniting mechanism to unite such plurality of books in tandem in each operation.

5. A book stitching or uniting mechanism having a plurality of sets of uniting devices in longitudinal alinemcnt, a guide for a procession of books, means for feeding a plurality of successive books to the uni/ting mechanism in each operation, means for operating the uniting mechanism to unite such .plurality of books in each operation, means for reciprocating the devices along the lineof book travel, and means for adjusting the amplitude and speed of throw ot' such reciprocation.

6. A book stitching or uniting mechanism having a plurality of sets of Wire stitching devices in longitudinal alinement, a guide for a procession of books, means for feeding a plurality of successive books to the uniting mechanism in each operation, means for operating the uniting mechanism to unite such plurality of books in each operation, said Wire stitching devices having means for reciprocating themalong the line of book: travel, means therein for adjusting the amplitudeand speed of throw of such reciprocation, and means for adjusting the Wire feeding action of the Wire stitching devices accordingly.

7 A convertible book making apparatus comprising conveying means-having connections :tor actuating it for advancing a succession of signature groups at the travel rate of a given plural number of book spaces or sections in each cycle period, stitching mechanism having a plurality of stitching sets and means for operating them to stitch such plural number of successive groups in each cycle period, and having means for reciprocating the stitching sets along the travel line either at low or high speed and with correspondingly short or long amplitude, and one or more sets being adapted to be thrown out of action when the stitching is to be operated at loW speed and short amplitude.

8. In a pamphlet making machine for unit- Y ing signature groups by stitching the combination of a pair of opposed movable compression members both of substantial Weight 'and momentum, means for moving said members forcibly simultaneously towards each other upon the opposite sides of .the signature group to give a balanced smashing action thereon, and means for stitching the signature group when so compressed.

9. In a stitching machine for uniting signature groups the combination of a pair of opposed compression members both of substantial Weight and momentum, means for moving said members simultaneously towards each other upon the signature group to give a balanced smashing action thereon and for holding such members after the smashing compression to retain the group under forcible compression during the stitching operation, and means for stitching the group While so held compressed.

10. In a stitching machine for uniting signature groups the combination of a pair of opposed compression members both of substantial Weight, means for moving said members simultaneously towards each other upon the signature group to give a balanced smashing action, comprising heavy rotary actua-Y tors or cams, giving a fly Wheel ei'ect assisting in flattening the group, and means for stitching the group when so compressed.

11. In a book making apparatus oi' the kind having gathering means, followedby uniting means, for the signature groups, and with means for conveying the groups -in procession, from one to the other; the combination of such conveying means, the same having adjustable connections for actuating it to advance the succession of signature groups at the travel rate of a single group in each cycle period of the apparatus or a multiple thereof, according to adjustment, to bring them successively to the uniting point, While maintaining them in-grouped condition, and uniting mechanism having a plurality of uniting sets, and adjustable means for operating such sets to unite, according to adjustment, either a single one or a multiple number of signature groups in each cycle period, corresponding With the travel rate of the conveyor.

l2. ln a book making apparatus of the kind having gathering means followed by uniting means for the signature groups, and With means for conveying the groups in procession, from one to the other; the combination of such conveying means, ythe same having connections for actuating it to advance thesuccession of signature groups at the travel rate of a multiple number of groups in each cycleperiod of the apparatus, to bring them successively to the uniting point, While maintaining them in grouped condition, and uniting mechanism having a plurality of stitching sets, with means for operating them to unite a multiple number of signature groups in each cycle period, and means for reciprocating the stitching sets bodily along the travel line at a speed corresponding with the conveyor speed and in a period corresponding with the cycle period.

lin testimony whereof, li have affixed my signature hereto.

EUGENIE R. SETER.

luminosi DISCLAIMER Seite?, Ridgefield Park, N. J.

3, 1931. Disclaimer filed Septe B. Sheridan Company.

s 1, 3, 4, and 12 of said patent; Without of claim 2, expressed subordinately 1,791,0S1.Eugene R. BOOKMAKING MACHINE. Patent-dated February mber 9, 1939, by the assignee, T. W. &

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim however iritending to disclaim the subject matter to said claim 1.

[Oficial Gazette October 24, 1.939.]

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