Patent ID: 8876098

Claim:
A method for operating a thread stitching machine used for the processing of signatures to form book blocks, comprising: transporting the signatures by a transport system to a downstream-connected stitching station, the transporting including; positioning the signatures straddling on a transporting section of the transport system to supply the signatures to the stitching station; and operating the transporting section with aid of (1) an auxiliary saddle driven by at least one continuously operating conveying chain with thereon positioned, spaced-apart pusher elements, and (2) a freely movable stitching saddle immediately following the auxiliary saddle; the operating step including advancing the signatures by the pusher elements pushing against one edge of the signatures, gripping the signatures along an opposite edge by a conveying device belonging to the stitching saddle, removing the signatures from the auxiliary saddle by an acceleration movement triggered by a drive associated with the conveying device of the stitching saddle, and inserting at least one empty cycle following a below-standard format signature.