Conveyor coding apparatus

Claim 2

In conveyor mounted coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means on the conveyor, with energy directing means which are movable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the conveyor mounted indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: indexing means having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an integrally formed intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, energy directing means comprising energy reflecting spots fixed on visually inaccessible upper surface of the upper portion, and visual indicia fixed on a visually accessible outward facing surface of the intermediate portion and fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy directing means, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy directing means being operative in a second relatively visibly inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction.

Claim 3

The coding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the material handling conveyors comprises shaft means, and wherein the indexing means encircles the shaft means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower portion defines notches associated with the indicia on the intermediate portion.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus defines a central circular opening extending through the upper, intermediate and lower portions.

Claim 6

In coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means with energy directing means which are moveable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors, and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: visible indicia mounted on a visibly accessible portion of the indexing means and fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy directing means, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy directing means being operative in a second relatively visibly inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction, wherein the conveyors have shaft means, and wherein the indexing means encircle the shaft means, the shaft means having a central elongated opening, wherein the shaft means has a flange means outwardly mounted on the shaft means adjacent one end of the opening, detent means mounted on the flange means in a direction of the opening, wherein the indexing means encircles the shaft in an area of the opening, a portion of the indexing means having stops associated therewith contacting the flange means and the detent means, retainer means overlying a portion of the indexing means opposite the stops, and resilient means connected to the retainer means and to the shaft means adjacent the flange means for urging the indexing means toward the flange means.

Claim 7

In coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means with energy directing means which are moveable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors, and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: visible indicia mounted on a visibly accessible portion of the indexing means and fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy directing means, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy directing means being operative in a second relatively visibly inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction, wherein the conveyors have shaft means, and wherein the indexing means encircle the shaft means, the shaft means having a central elongated opening, wherein the shaft means has a flange means outwardly mounted on the shaft means adjacent one end of the opening, detent means mounted on the flange means in a direction of the opening, wherein the indexing means encircles the shaft in an area of the opening, a portion of the indexing means having stops associated therewith contacting the flange means and the detent means, retainer means overlying a portion of the indexing means opposite the stops, and resilient means connected to the retainer means and to the shaft means adjacent the flange means for urging the indexing means toward the flange means.

Claim 8

Coding apparatus of claim 5 wherein the shaft means is generally vertically oriented and wherein the flange means is generally horizontally oriented, wherein the indexing means defines an upper portion carrying energy directing means, a notched lower portion adjacent the flange means, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the upper and lower portions, the intermediate portion carrying visual indicia.

Claim 9

In coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means with energy directing means which are movable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: indexing apparatus having an upper portion having a flat horizontal face, a lower portioN, and an intermediate portion having a downward convergent face between the upper and lower portions, a central circular opening extending through the upper, intermediate and lower portions energy reflecting spots fixed on the upper portion, and visible indicia are fixed on the intermediate portion, the visible indicia fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy reflecting spots, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy reflecting spots being operative in a second relatively visible inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction.

Claim 10

In coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means with energy directing means which are movable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: indexing apparatus having an upper portion having a flat horizontal face, a lower portioN, and an intermediate portion having a downward convergent face between the upper and lower portions, a central circular opening extending through the upper, intermediate and lower portions energy reflecting spots fixed on the upper portion, and visible indicia are fixed on the intermediate portion, the visible indicia fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy reflecting spots, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy reflecting spots being operative in a second relatively visible inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction.

Claim 11

In coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means with energy directing means which are movable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: indexing apparatus having a horizontal disc upper portion, a radial wall lower portion, and an axial flange intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, a central circular opening extending through the upper intermediate and lower portions, energy reflecting spots fixed on the upper portion, visible indicia are fixed on the intermediate portion, the visible indicia fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy reflecting spots, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy reflecting spots being operative in a second relatively visibly inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction.

Claim 12

In coding apparatus for material handling conveyors which move along predetermined paths and which carry indexing means with energy directing means which are movable into predetermined coded positions on the conveyors and having energy sensors adjacent the paths for determining coded positions of the indexing means when the conveyors pass the sensors, the improvement comprising: indexing apparatus having a horizontal disc upper portion, a radial wall lower portion, and an axial flange intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, a central circular opening extending through the upper intermediate and lower portions, energy reflecting spots fixed on the upper portion, visible indicia are fixed on the intermediate portion, the visible indicia fixed angularly with respect to corresponding energy reflecting spots, the visible indicia being visible in a first sense of direction, and the energy reflecting spots being operative in a second relatively visibly inaccessible sense of direction angularly related to the first sense of direction.