Karl P Schaefer

US Patent:

6394445, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Dec 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/223214

Inventors:

Ingermar S. dAgrella - Sussex WI
Eric L. Kuhne - Big Bend WI
Gary J. Laatsch - Germantown WI
John M. Neary - Hartland WI
Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI

Assignee:

Quad/Tech, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 2968

US Classification:

271182, 271202, 271307, 271309, 271315, 270 50

Abstract:

An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system. Also provided is a guide assembly which increases control over the signatures during the decelerating process and during transport of the signatures to further downstream processing equipment. The guide assembly includes grooved rollers which act as pulleys for belts near the exit stream of the slow-down equipment, wherein the protruding segments between belt grooves act to push the signatures away from the belt. Alternatively, or in combination, the guide assembly includes air nozzle means for impinging at least one stream of air parallel to, and/or at an obtuse angel to, the path of signature travel, which assists in keeping the signatures from opening out during delivery to further processing equipment. Also disclosed is a timing belt means for correlating the rotation of the pair of opposed cams.

US Patent:

6419219, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Apr 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/835421

Inventors:

Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI
Ingermar S. dAgrella - Sussex WI
Richard J. Fox - Menomonee Falls WI

Assignee:

Quad/Tech, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 3900

US Classification:

270 60, 270 5201, 271315

Abstract:

A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining a circumference. A respective circumference of one bucket overlaps the circumference of the other bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween. Each slot includes a first generally wedge-shaped portion defined by a first planar surface and a second planar surface disposed at a first angle from the first planar surface, and a second generally wedge-shaped portion defined by a third planar surface and a fourth planar surface disposed at a second angle from the third planar surface.

US Patent:

6464218, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

May 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/858186

Inventors:

John M. Neary - Hartland WI
Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI
Nick R. Schetter - Rubicon WI

Assignee:

Quad/Tech, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 2900

US Classification:

271270, 271187, 271315, 101409, 198644, 198715, 198835

Abstract:

An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.

US Patent:

6572097, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Dec 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/016625

Inventors:

Ingermar S. dAgrella - Sussex WI
Eric L. Kuhne - Big Bend WI
Gary J. Laatsch - Germantown WI
John M. Neary - Hartland WI
Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI

Assignee:

Quad/Tech, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 2968

US Classification:

271182, 271202, 270 50

Abstract:

A signature slow-down section in a folder of a printing press for slowing down signatures is provided. The folder is driven by a folder drive mechanism and the signature slow-down section includes a frame, a slow-down mechanism supported by the frame, and a motor connected to the slow-down mechanism for rotatably driving the slow-down mechanism separately from the folder drive mechanism. The motor is selectively operable to drive the slow-down mechanism at a speed in response to the position of the signatures relative to the slow-down mechanism.

US Patent:

6572098, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Oct 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/972662

Inventors:

Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI
Ingermar S. dAgrella - Sussex WI
Eric L. Kuhne - Big Bend WI

Assignee:

Quad/Tech, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 2900

US Classification:

271186, 271283, 271302, 271272

Abstract:

Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

US Patent:

62445936, Jun 12, 2001

Filed:

Aug 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/372328

Inventors:

Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI
Ingermar S. d'Agrella - Sussex WI

Assignee:

Quad/Tech, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 534

US Classification:

271270

Abstract:

Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a non-uniform angular velocity drive mechanism, the function of which is to improve the collation process such that the quality of signatures is improved as the signatures move along one of the plurality of collation paths and to increase the speed of the folder.

US Patent:

45002231, Feb 19, 1985

Filed:

Sep 14, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/531883

Inventors:

Gerald T. Downing - Port Washington WI
Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI

Assignee:

W. H. Brady Co. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B42F 302
B42F 1302

US Classification:

402 20

Abstract:

A carrier (10) for holding a plurality of pages (2) including a support member (13) and at least one ring (12) extending therefrom that includes a lower retention finger (20) of substantially uniform thickness and a flexible upper finger (21) of decreasing thickness. The fingers (20, 21) have free ends (22, 24) adjacent to each other and a flexible tang (25) at the free end of the flexible upper finger is positioned along one or more rigid tangs (26) at the free end of the lower retention finger.

US Patent:

61165956, Sep 12, 2000

Filed:

Apr 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/059212

Inventors:

Ingermar S. d'Agrella - Sussex WI
Karl P. Schaefer - Brookfield WI

Assignee:

Quad/Graphics, Inc. - Sussex WI

International Classification:

B65H 2958

US Classification:

271279

Abstract:

A diverter wedge for a pinless folder is adapted for cooperative association with a diverter guide mechanism operating to direct the lateral disposition of the leading edge of a signature relative to the wedge to one of a plurality of collation paths. The diverter wedge includes an elongated bar having a longitudinal axis and a generally triangular cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis. The bar is fixed in position and also includes a base, a vertex edge opposite the base, and planar diversion surfaces diverging from the vertex edge, an air inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized air, and a plurality of air discharge ports connected to the air inlet port and intersecting one of the planar diversion surfaces. At least one air discharge port intersects the vertex edge.