Apparatus for transporting a sheet-like element

Abstract

Apparatus for transporting an essentially sheet-like element the apparatus including at least one rotating transport mechanism for transporting the sheet-like element from a pickup site to a delivery site, the rotating transport mechanism having, for receiving and entraining the sheet-like element, at least one gripper-like pickup into which the leading edge of the sheet-like element is introduced or inserted, and including at least one offset mechanism that is coupled with the transport mechanism for laterally offsetting the sheet-like element in the area of the delivery site in a direction essentially parallel to the rotational axis of the transport mechanism.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for transporting an essentially sheet-like element, particularly for transporting a sheet of printing material in a printing press, preferably in a printing press operated electrophotographically, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one rotating transport mechanism for transporting a sheet-like element from a pickup site to a delivery site and delivering the sheet-like element there, said rotating transport mechanism having, for receiving and entraining a sheet-like element, at least one gripper-like pickup into which the leading edge of a sheet-like element is introduced or inserted; and    at least one offset mechanism coupled with the transport mechanism for laterally offsetting a sheet-like element in the area of the delivery site in a direction essentially parallel to the rotational axis of the transport mechanism, said sheet-offset mechanism includes a roll-off roll drive element for offsetting a sheet-like element.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said sheet-offset mechanism is moveable from an off position into an operating position.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said sheet-offset mechanism is coupled with said transport mechanism for a forced motion that is dependent upon the rotation position of said transport mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said coupling includes a guide rail, arranged on the transport mechanism, which guides a traveling element that is connected to the sheet-offset mechanism.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said roll drive element for moving from or into the operating position is arranged on a shifter arm that can be swiveled around a rotational axis.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said shifter arm is loaded with pressure in the direction toward a cam.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said shifter arm is a two-armed lever above its rotational axis, and a drive motor is provided in the area of said lever arm opposite said roll drive element increasing pressure by its own weight.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said shifter arm and said drive train running from said drive motor to said roll drive element is guided out of the working area of said transport mechanism and is angled at least one time.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said drive motor is provided with an on-off control for said roll drive element.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein a majority of said gripper-like pickups are arranged in even distribution over a 360° angle.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer boundary of each gripper-like pickup is configured as a tab with an axial overhang over the wheel body as the working area for said roll drive element.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the inner side of said tab overhang has a reduced frictional resistance.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein in the area of the delivery site, a stop arrangement, which is affixed opposite said transport mechanism, is provided for the leading edge of the sheet-like element that is inserted in said pickup.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein several coaxial transport mechanisms, separated from one another, are provided.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein two transport mechanisms are arranged laterally reversed with respect to a mirror surface that is perpendicular to the rotational axis.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein each transport mechanism is allocated a sheet-offset mechanism, and that said sheet-offset mechanisms are operationally synchronized with each other and preferably coupled with each other.