Laterally adjustable side guide assembly for use with friction sheet feeding machines

Abstract

A laterally repositionable side guide assembly for use with a friction sheet feeding machine. The side guide assembly includes (i) a support member, (ii) a carriage, (iii) a side guide, and (iv) a worm screw. The support member is configured and arranged for attachment to a friction sheet feeding machine. The carriage is repositionably mounted on the support member for selective lateral repositioning relative to the support member. The side guide is configured and arranged for laterally guiding sheets through a friction sheet feeding machine. The side guide is attached to the carriage for lateral repositioning with the carriage. The worm screw is in threaded communication with the carriage for effecting linear movement of the carriage along the length of the worm screw upon rotation of the worm screw.

1 . A laterally repositionable side guide assembly for use with a friction sheet feeding machine capable of feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal direction, comprising:
 (a) a support member configured and arranged for attachment to a friction sheet feeding machine,   (b) a carriage repositionably mounted on the support member for selective lateral repositioning relative to the support member,   (c) a side guide configured and arranged for laterally guiding sheets through a friction sheet feeding machine, the side guide attached to the carriage for lateral repositioning with the carriage, and   (d) a worm screw in threaded communication with the carriage for effecting linear movement of the carriage along the length of the worm screw upon rotation of the worm screw.   
   
   
       2 . The side guide assembly of  claim 1  wherein (i) the support member is rigidly attached to a friction sheet feeding machine, (ii) the machine has a right side and a left side, (iii) safety panels are mounted on the right and left sides of the machine for limiting side access into to the machine, and (iv) an interface device for effecting manual rotation of the worm screw is located on the outside of one of the safety panels. 
   
   
       3 . The side guide assembly of  claim 2  wherein the interface device is a manually rotatable knob. 
   
   
       4 . A laterally repositionable side guide assembly for use with a friction sheet feeding machine capable of feeding individual sheets from a stack of sheets in a longitudinal direction, comprising:
 (a) a support member configured and arranged for attachment to a friction sheet feeding machine,   (b) a pair of laterally spaced carriages, each repositionably mounted on the support member for selective lateral repositioning relative to the support member,   (c) a pair of laterally spaced side guides, each configured and arranged for laterally guiding sheets through a friction sheet feeding machine, and each attached to one of the carriages for lateral repositioning with the carriage, and   (d) a pair of laterally spaced worm screws, each in threaded communication with one of the carriages for effecting linear movement of the corresponding carriage along the length of the worm screw upon rotation of the worm screw.   
   
   
       5 . The side guide assembly of  claim 3  wherein (i) the support member is rigidly attached to a friction sheet feeding machine, (ii) the machine has a right side and a left side, (iii) safety panels are mounted on the right and left sides of the machine for limiting side access into to the machine, (iv) an interface device for effecting manual rotation of the one worm screw is located on the outside of one of the safety panels, and (v) an interface device for effecting manual rotation of the other worm screw is located on the outside of the other safety panel. 
   
   
       6 . The side guide assembly of  claim 5  wherein the interface device is a manually rotatable knob. 
   
   
       7 . The side guide assembly of  claim 3  wherein each carriage and attached side guide are independently repositionable. 
   
   
       8 . A method of laterally repositioning side guides on a friction sheet feeding machine, comprising the steps of:
 (a) obtaining a friction sheet feeding machine equipped with a repositionable side guide assembly wherein the side guide assembly includes at least:
 (i) a support member attached to a friction sheet feeding machine, 
 (ii) a pair of laterally spaced carriages, each repositionably mounted on the support member for selective lateral repositioning relative to the support member, 
 (iii) a pair of laterally spaced side guides, each configured and arranged for laterally guiding sheets through a friction sheet feeding machine, and each attached to one of the carriages for lateral repositioning with the carriage, and 
 (iv) a pair of laterally spaced worm screws, each in threaded communication with one of the carriages for effecting linear movement of the corresponding carriage along the length of the worm screw upon rotation of the worm screw, 
   (b) rotating one of the worm screws to laterally reposition the corresponding carriage and attached side guide along the support member without lateral movement of the one worm screw, and   (c) rotating the other worm screw to laterally reposition the corresponding carriage and attached side guide along the support member without lateral movement of the other worm screw.