Patent ID: 8052131

Claim:
A bookmaking apparatus, comprising: a first path configured to convey a sheet bundle in a substantially vertical direction; a second path intersecting the first path and configured to convey a cover sheet in a substantially horizontal direction; a joining stage disposed at an intersection of the first path and the second path configured to join the cover sheet and sheet bundle; a gripping conveyance device arranged at an upstream side of the joining stage for gripping and conveying the sheet bundle along the first path; and a conveyance device arranged at a downstream side of the joining stage for conveying out the cover sheet and sheet bundle; wherein the gripping conveyance device includes clamping members, one of which having an opening position and a closing position, operable to grip the sheet bundle and clamping control means for opening and closing the clamping members; and wherein the clamping control means operates the clamping members to grip a lower edge of the sheet bundle when joining the sheet bundle to the cover sheet at the joining stage, and the clamping members to retract to an upstream side of the first path from the joining stage with the one of the clamping members being the opening position and to grip the sheet bundle again when conveying the joined sheet bundle to the conveyance device.