Abstract:
A sheet processing apparatus and method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus includes a support of the apparatus having first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members. The second guiding members are slideably arranged at the first guiding members. The first guiding members are connected to at least one base member, and the second guiding members are connected to a support frame. A vertical position of at least one of the second guide members is adjustable relative to a corresponding one of the first guide members in order to adjust a vertical position of the sheet input.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/059652, filed on Jul. 27, 2009, and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Application No. 08162146.8, filed in Europe on Aug. 11, 2008. The entirety of each of the above-identified applications is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for operatively connecting to a sheet output of a printing apparatus, comprising: a sheet input configured to receive a printed recording sheet from a sheet output of a printing apparatus, at least one processing unit configured to process a sheet received at the sheet input, and at least one support configured to support the apparatus on a floor, the support comprising a support frame and at least one base member, the support frame supporting the sheet input and the processing unit. 
     The present invention further relates to a method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus, wherein the sheet processing apparatus comprises at least one processing unit configured to process a sheet received at the sheet input and at least one support configured to support the apparatus on a floor, the support comprising a support frame configured to support the sheet input and the processing unit, the support further comprising at least one base member. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     A sheet processing apparatus of the kind mentioned above is also known as a finisher. The sheet processing apparatus may be, e.g., a folder, a baler, a flat delivery rack, etc. 
     The sheet input of the sheet processing apparatus is arranged at the sheet output of a printing apparatus, for example a printer or a copier, and is operatively connected to establish an in-line configuration of the printing apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus. Sheets which are ejected from the sheet output of the printing apparatus are sequentially received at the sheet input of the sheet processing apparatus. However, the sheet may as well be a continuous web. 
     When a sheet processing apparatus is to be used with different printing apparatuses having different vertical positions of their sheet outputs, the vertical position of the sheet input of the sheet processing apparatus has to be adapted to the vertical position of the individual sheet output of a certain printing apparatus. 
     Folders are known that have a large input table, the slope of which can be adjusted in order to adapt the vertical position of the sheet input side of the input table. The size of the input table for wide format sheets may be approximately one square meter, for example. A disadvantage of an input table with adjustable slope is its large size, which leads to high costs and requires additional floor space. The input table is also of considerable weight. 
     From U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,843, an alignment module and transporter unit is known, on which an output sheet processing apparatus is mountable. A vertical alignment system has an operator rotatable wheel rotating a threaded rod which raises or lowers an elevating jack system, which in turn raises or lowers a support for the processing apparatus. Thereby, a sheet processing apparatus may be adapted to a sheet output position of a reproduction apparatus. However, the module requires a certain amount of free space below the sheet processing apparatus. Therefore, the height adjustment range is limited to height differences, which are at least as large as the minimum height of the module. Furthermore, the mounting of the sheet processing apparatus on the elevating jack system may bring about mechanical instabilities. Moreover, it is difficult to put a heavy apparatus on top of the alignment module. 
     When a sheet processing apparatus is shipped from its place of manufacture to a customer, it is desirable to minimize the transport volume. For reasons of transport safety, it is also desirable that the center of gravity of the apparatus is as low as possible. When, however, a support of the sheet processing apparatus is separated from the sheet processing apparatus in order to lower the center of gravity during shipping, the sheet processing apparatus has to be turned over in order to mount the support at the customers site. This is cumbersome and requires, especially in the case of a heavy apparatus, more than one person. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing apparatus and a method of adjusting a vertical position of the sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus of the kind mentioned initially which allows an easy set-up and/or adjustment to a sheet output position of a printing apparatus. 
     The object of the invention is achieved by the sheet processing apparatus further comprising: first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members, the second vertically elongated guiding members being slideably arranged at the first vertically elongated guiding members, the first vertically elongated guiding members being connected to the at least one base member, and the second vertically elongated guiding members being connected to the support frame, and at least one height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a vertical position of at least one of the second vertically elongated guiding members relative to a corresponding one of the first vertically elongated guiding members, thereby adjusting a vertical position of the sheet input. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method of adjusting a vertical position of a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus of the kind mentioned initially, wherein the support further comprises first vertically elongated guiding members and second vertically elongated guiding members, the second vertically elongated guiding members being slideably arranged at the first vertically elongated guiding members, the first vertically elongated guiding members being connected to the at least one base member, and the second vertically elongated guiding members being connected to the support frame, the method comprising a step of adjusting a vertical position of at least one of the second vertically elongated guiding members relative to a corresponding one of the first vertically elongated guiding members, thereby adjusting the vertical position of the sheet input. 
     In particular, the vertical position of the sheet input may be adjusted relative to a sheet output of a printing apparatus. 
     The present invention allows adjustment of a vertical position of a sheet input having a fixed vertical position relative to the support frame supporting the processing unit. The sheet input may be operatively connected to the sheet output of the printing apparatus without an intermediate sheet transport. 
     Thus, together with the vertical position of the sheet input, a vertical position of the support frame, and, thus, of the processing unit is adjusted. More preferably, by adjusting a vertical position of at least one of the second vertically elongated guiding members relative to a corresponding one of the first vertically elongated guiding members, a vertical position of the sheet processing apparatus is adjusted relative to the at least one base member. That is, except for parts of the support, the whole sheet processing apparatus is raised or lowered. 
     The second vertically elongated guiding members are slideable relative to the first vertically elongated guiding members in a vertical direction. Thus, a high mechanical stability of the apparatus is achieved. Moreover, the vertical guiding members do not require much space and can be easily integrated in a conventional support having, for example, vertical legs. Because the height adjustment mechanism and the guide members are integrated into the sheet processing apparatus, a large adjustment range can be provided. Moreover, in a retracted configuration, an extremely low position of the support frame is achieved. This is advantageous when shipping the apparatus. There is no need to turn over the apparatus after shipping, and one person can adjust the height of the apparatus alone. 
     The vertically elongated guiding members are, for example, rods or rails formed of sheet metal having, for example, a base plate and two right angled wings, thus forming a slot. Preferably, the second vertically elongated members are guided in a slot of the first vertically elongated guiding members or vice versa. Preferably, the second vertically elongated guiding members are telescopically guided at the first vertically elongated guiding members. 
     Preferably, the guiding members are arranged at sides of the support frame. Thereby, they do not interfere with the structure of the processing unit. 
     The base members may, for example, be formed by two or more feet, which may be, e.g., integrally connected to the first vertically elongated guiding members. 
     A method for operatively connecting a sheet input of a sheet processing apparatus to a sheet output of a printing apparatus may comprise said method of adjusting a vertical position of the sheet output of the sheet processing apparatus relative to the sheet output of the printing apparatus, as described above. 
     Further useful details of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims. 
     Preferably, the height adjustment mechanism comprises: at least one threaded rod connected to one of said first vertically elongated guiding members and said second vertically elongated guiding members; and at least one nut engaged with the threaded rod and connected to the other one of said first vertically elongated guiding member and said second vertically elongated guiding members, wherein said first vertically elongated guiding member is slideable relative to said second vertically elongated guiding member by effecting a rotation of the threaded rod relative to the nut. 
     By effecting a rotation of the threaded rod relative to the nut, a movement of the nut along an axial direction of the rod relative to the rod, and, thus, a movement of the first support member relative to the second support member is effected. 
     Preferably, the threaded rod is rotatably connected to one of said first vertically elongated guiding members and said second vertically elongated guiding members. The threaded rod or spindle is a simple means for adjusting the height of the support frame. The threaded rod, engaged with the nut, functions as a reducing gear, so that a heavy apparatus can be lifted with comparatively low force. Preferably, the thread pitch is low enough to provide a self-locking function of the threaded rods, due to frictional forces, when in engagement with the nuts. 
     Preferably, the threaded rod is arranged in a vertical slot of the guiding members. Thereby, a compact structure of the height adjustment mechanism and the support is achieved, and no lateral forces are applied to the rod. 
     Preferably, the apparatus comprises no electrical drive means for effecting a rotation of the threaded rod relative to the nut. More preferably, the apparatus comprises no driving means for the height adjustment mechanism. 
     Preferably, the height adjustment mechanism comprises at least on torque transmission connector for engaging with a tool operated by an operator, said connector being adapted to receive a rotational force from said tool and being arranged to transmit said rotational force to at least one of said threaded rod and said nut in order to effect a rotation of the threaded rod relative to the nut. The connector may be suitable for a cordless electric screw driver. Thus, using a handy tool, a user or technician can easily adjust a vertical position of the sheet input when setting up the apparatus or when transferring the apparatus to a different printing apparatus. 
     Preferably, the height adjustment mechanism comprises at least two of said threaded rods and corresponding nuts, wherein at least two of the rods and/or at least two of the nuts are coupled. By coupling, for example, two threaded rods, a rotational force exerted on one of the threaded rods is transmitted to the other threaded rod, and their height adjustment movements are synchronized. Thus, the apparatus can be prevented from tilting. 
     Preferably, the height adjustment mechanism comprises a least one locking member for mechanically locking at least one of the second vertically elongated guiding members to a corresponding one of the first vertically elongated guiding members in a relative position of said first and second guide members, or in particular, more preferably, in one of several relative positions. The locking member comprises, for example, a locking pin or locking screw. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a sheet processing apparatus operatively connected to a printing apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of the sheet processing apparatus in a configuration corresponding to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic front view of the sheet processing apparatus in a configuration suitable for shipping; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic cross sectional view of a detail of a support and a height adjustment mechanism of the sheet processing apparatus; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic cross sectional view of guiding members of the support corresponding to the line V-V in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1  shows an in-line configuration of a sheet processing apparatus  10  and a printing apparatus  12 . 
     In the printing apparatus  12 , a recording sheet  14  is supplied, e.g., from a reel  16 , and a printing engine, which is symbolically shown in  FIG. 1  as an ink jet printhead  18 , ejects drops of ink in an image-wise configuration onto the sheet  14 . The printed sheet  14  is output through a sheet output  20  and fed, without an intermediate sheet transport, to a sheet input  22  of the sheet processing apparatus  10  arranged at a height H above a floor on which the sheet processing apparatus  10  and the printing apparatus  12  stand. Thus, the sheet processing apparatus  10  is operatively connected to the printing apparatus  12  in order to process the sheets ejected from the printing apparatus  12 . 
     The sheet processing apparatus  10  is a folding apparatus and has a processing unit  24  which is symbolically shown in  FIG. 1  as having a folding cylinder  26  and two press cylinders  28  for folding the sheet  14  according to a folding program. The folded sheet is ejected into a delivery tray  30 . A feed unit (not shown) feeds the sheet  14  received at the sheet input  22  to the processing unit  24 . 
     The processing unit  24 , the feed unit and the sheet input  22 , as well as a casing  32  of the sheet processing apparatus  10 , are carried by a support frame  34  of a support. The support frame  34  is, in turn, supported by first and second vertically elongated guiding members  36 ,  38  of the support forming legs near the corners of the sheet processing apparatus  10 . The first guiding members  36  are connected at their lower ends to base members  40  formed by horizontal rails. The base members form a base of the support and are provided with wheels. Upper ends of the second guiding members  38  are connected to rails of the support frame  34 . 
     The second guiding members  38  are slideably arranged at the first guiding members, so that the guiding members  36 ,  38  form extendable legs. 
     The second guiding members  38  are each connected to a threaded rod  42 , said rod  42  being engaged with a nut  44  which is connected to the corresponding first guiding member  36 . As will be explained in detail below, the threaded rods  42  and nuts  44  form a height adjustment mechanism for the height H by controlling the extension of the legs. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are schematic front views of the sheet processing apparatus  10 , seen from the right sight in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the guiding members  36 ,  38  are in an extended state corresponding to the height H of the sheet input  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3 , the guiding members  36 ,  38  are in a non-extended state corresponding to a lowermost height H. This state is suitable for shipping the sheet processing apparatus  10 , because the center of gravity as well as the total height is comparatively low. 
     By using the height adjustment mechanism as described exemplarily below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the apparatus  10  can be adjusted to a position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  schematically shows details of guiding members  36 ,  38  corresponding to the right side of the sheet processing apparatus  10  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a sectional view corresponding to the line in  FIG. 5 . 
     In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5 , the guiding members  36 ,  38  have a U-shaped cross-section, the first guiding member  36  being an inner guiding member accommodated in the slot formed by the second guiding member  38 . That is, the first guiding member  36  is guided between wings  38   a  of the second guiding member  38  and a base plate  38   b  connecting the wings  38   a.    
     As is shown in  FIG. 4 , the second guiding member  38  is connected to a rail of the support frame  34 . A vertically extending threaded rod  42  is rotatably connected to said rail, thereby being rotatably connected to the second guiding member  38 . The vertical position of the threaded rods  42  is fixed relative to the second guiding member  38 . At the top end of the threaded rod  42 , a toothed wheel  46  is arranged. The toothed wheel  42  is engaged with another toothed wheel  48  arranged on a horizontal axle  50  extending to the opposite side of the support frame  34 . There, a similar mechanism of toothed wheels connects the axle  50  to a corresponding threaded rod arranged at the guiding members  36 ,  38  shown in  FIG. 1  on the left side of the sheet processing apparatus  10 . Thereby, a transmission between both threaded rods  42  is provided in order to synchronize their rotational movements. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a torque transmission connector  52  is formed at the end of the axle  50  for engagement with an electric screw driver  54  schematically indicated in  FIG. 4 . Using this tool, rotation of the threaded rods  42  can be effected. 
     A nut  44  threadedly engaged with each threaded rod  42  is fixedly connected to the lower first guiding member  36  at the top end of the latter. Thus, a rotation of the threaded rod  42  effects a relative axial movement of the threaded rod  42  and the nut  44 . Thereby, a vertical movement of the threaded rod  42  and the second guiding member  38  is effected. Thus, the height H of the sheet input  22  can be adjusted. 
     In the example described, the height H has to be adjusted separately for the guiding members  36 ,  38  on the left side and on the right side of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . However, all four threaded rods  42  may be connected by a transmission mechanism comprising e.g. a further axle, a transmission belt, or the like. 
     When the sheet processing apparatus  10  has been adjusted to the desired height H, locking pins  56  ( FIG. 1 ) may be inserted into through holes  58  in the base plate  38   b  of the second guiding members  38  and the base plate of the first guiding members  36  at appropriate positions in order to lock the guiding members  36 ,  38  against further vertical relative movement. For example, through holes  58  may be arranged at regular intervals along the height of the first guiding members  36  and/or guiding members  38 , as is schematically indicated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. For example, alternatively or additionally to the torque transmission connector  52 , the height adjustment mechanism may comprise a handling member for manually providing a rotational force. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.