Outfeed conveyor mechanism of a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like

Claim 2

In an outfeed conveyor mechanism for receiving and conveying units such as stacks of publications and the likE from a preceding conveyor mechanism, the combination of: a main frame; a conveying device on said main frame defining a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface forming a unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface movable in opposite directions for moving units in either longitudinal direction generally horizontally from said unit receiving station received from a preceding conveyor mechanism onto said unit receiving surface; driving means operably connected to said conveying device for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions in either of said opposite directions; said conveying device including a pusher mechanism mounted normally positioned at each of longitudinal ends of longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station above said unit receiving surface longitudinally engageable with said units received onto said unit receiving surface, means for moving and pusher mechanisms in synchronous movement with said unit receiving surface in the same direction as said unit receiving surface and longitudinally across said unit receiving station.

Claim 3

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said conveying device pusher mechanisms include at least three pusher mechanisms movable above said unit receiving surface and longitudinally across said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms normally being positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station with the other of said pusher mechanisms transversely spaced from said unit receiving surface longitudinally intermediate said unit receiving station, said pusher mechanism moving means including means for simultaneously moving said pusher mechanisms in synchronous movement with said unit receiving surface with one of said pusher mechanisms always moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station in the same direction as said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanisms being positioned

Claim 4

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said conveying device pusher mechanisms include three pusher bars mounted movable longitudinally across said unit receiving station above and transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface, one of said pusher bars normally being positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station with the other of said bars longitudinally midway of said unit receiving station ends and transversely spaced from said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanism moving means including means for moving said pusher bars one at a time longitudinally across said unit receiving station in synchronized movement with said unit receiving surface, said pusher bars being positioned longitudinally engageable with units received on said unit receiving surface.

Claim 5

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said conveying device includes a flat, continuous conveyor belt having an upper section forming said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanisms including at least two pusher bars mounted movable above and longitudinally across said unit receiving station, one of said pusher bars normally being positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station engageable with units received on said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanism moving means including means for moving said pusher bars in synchronized movement with said unit receiving surface, each of said pusher bars having a lower end resiliently urged into engagement with said conveyor belt upper section during movement of said pusher bars longitudinally across said unit receiving station.

Claim 6

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said driving means is operably connected to both said unit receiving surface and said means for moving said pusher mechanisms for simultaneously intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions and said pusher mechanisms, said driving means including constantly running and opposite directional drive motors operably connected through clutches at at least one brake to said unit receiving surface and pusher mechanisms, one of said clutches being engaged and the other of said clutches and said brake being disengaged during each movement of said unit receiving surface portions and pusher mechanisms, each of said clutches being disengaged and said brake being engaged between movements of said unit receiving surface portions and pusher mechanisms.

Claim 7

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said conveying device includes a flat, continuous conveyor belt having the upper section thereof forming said unit receiving surface and in which a group of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending rollers is positioned longitudinally adjacent said unit receiving surface at each of said longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station, each of said rollers being mounted freely rotatable and being a low inertia roller.

Claim 8

In an outfeed conveyor mechanism for receiving and conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like from a preceding conveyor mechanism, the combination of: a main frame; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface formed on said main frame defining a unit receiving station; pusher mechanisms on said frame positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station, there being one of said pusher mechanisms normally positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station extending transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanisms normally straddling a unit received on said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting both of said pusher mechanisms simultaneously movable in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging a unit received on said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station from a preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said unit longitudinally and generally horizontally in either direction from said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while the other of said pusher mechanisms moves away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station permitting said unit to be moved from said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said pusher mechanisms for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanisms in either of said directions across said unit receiving station.

Claim 9

In an outfeed conveyor mechanism for receiving and conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like from a preceding conveyor mechanism, the combination of: a main frame; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface formed on said main frame defining a unit receiving station; pusher mechanisms on said frame positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station, there being one of said pusher mechanisms normally positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station extending transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanisms normally straddling a unit received on said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting both of said pusher mechanisms simultaneously movable in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging a unit received on said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station from a preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said unit longitudinally and generally horizontally in either direction from said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while the other of said pusher mechanisms moves away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station permitting said unit to be moved from said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said pusher mechanisms for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanisms in either of said directions across said unit receiving station.

Claim 10

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 7 in which said pusher mechanisms include at least three of said pusher mechanisms on said main frame positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface, two of said pusher mechanisms normally being positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface while the other of said pusher mechanisms is positioned transversely spaced from said unit receiving station, said pusher mechanisms normally positioned at said opposite longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station normally straddling said unit received on said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; in which said means mounting said pusher mechanisms includes means mounting all of said pusher mechanisms movable one at a time in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms during movement of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while a second of said pusher mechanisms moves away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station and while a third of said pushed mechanisms approaches the original position of said one pusher mechanism permitting said unit to be moved longitudinally from said unit receiving station; and in which said driving means is operably connected to all of said pusher mechanismS for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanisms in either of said opposite directions.

Claim 11

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 7 in which each of said pusher mechanisms includes a gernerally vertically extending pusher bar, said pusher bars normally being positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station and transversely intermediate said unit received on said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; and in which a group of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending rollers is mounted at each of said longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station, each of said roller groups including a series of freely rotatable and low inertia rollers generally longitudinally and horizontally aligned with said unit receiving surface.

Claim 12

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 7 in which said driving means includes two constantly and oppositely rotating drive motors operably connected through clutch means to both of said pusher mechanisms and brake means operably connected to both of said pusher mechanisms, said clutch means being operable when actuated to transmit drive form either of said drive motor for moving said pusher mechanisms while being free of transmitting drive from the other of said drive motors, said clutching means being free of transmitting said drive to either of said pusher mechanisms when deactuated, said brake means being operable to retain said pusher mechanisms stationary when said clutch means is deactuated and being free of retainment of said pusher mechanisms when said clutch means is actuated.

Claim 13

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving s surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism movable in opposite directions for moving said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism in either longitudinal direction from said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions of said outfeed conveyor mechanism in either of said opposite directions upon said preceding conveyor mechanism depositing a unit on said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; said preceding conveyor mechanism including means for intermittently depositing units generally vertically downwardly onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; generally vertically extending guide surface means operably positioned on certain of said preceding and outfeed conveyor mechanisms at opposite transverse sides of said unit receiving surface for guiding said units from said preceding conveyor mechanism to said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station and from said unit receiving station along said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 14

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving s surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism movable in opposite directions for moving said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism in either longitudinal direction from said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions of said outfeed conveyor mechanism in either of said opposite directions upon said preceding conveyor mechanism depositing a unit on said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; said preceding conveyor mechanism including means for intermittently depositing units generally vertically downwardly onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; generally vertically extending guide surface means operably positioned on certain of said preceding and outfeed conveyor mechanisms at opposite transverse sides of said unit receiving surface for guiding said units from said preceding conveyor mechanism to said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station and from said unit receiving station along said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 15

A conveyor system as defined in claim 19 in which at least two pusher mechanisms are positioned on said outfeed conveyor mechanism normally at opposite longitudinal ends of said unit receiving station transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface and simultaneously movable in either of opposite directions with one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station, the other of said pusher mechanisms moving away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving stAtion when said one pusher mechanism is moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station to permit said unit deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism on said unit receiving surface to be moved longitudinally from said unit receiving station; and in which said driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism is also operably connected to said pusher mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanisms in synchronized movement with said unit receiving surface portions and in the same direction as said unit receiving surface portions.

Claim 16

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a moveable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; a pusher mechanism on said unit receiving station; a pusher mechanism on said outfeed conveyor mechanism positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting said pusher mechanism movable in at least one longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said units longitudinally and generally horizontally in said one direction from said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanism in said one direction across said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 17

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a moveable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; a pusher mechanism on said unit receiving station; a pusher mechanism on said outfeed conveyor mechanism positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting said pusher mechanism movable in at least one longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said units longitudinally and generally horizontally in said one direction from said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanism in said one direction across said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 18

A conveyor system as defined in claim 13 in which there is one of said pusher mechanisms normally positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station extending transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanisms normally straddling said units deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; in which said means mounting said pusher mechanism includes means mounting both of said pusher mechanisms simultaneously movable in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while the other of said pusher mechanisms moves away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station permitting said units to be moved from said unit receiving station; and in which said driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism is operably connected to both said pusher mechanisms for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanisms in synchronized movements with said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanisms in either of said directions.

Claim 19

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 12 in which said preceding conveyor mechanism includes means for intermittently depositing units generally vertically downwardly onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; and in which generally vertically extending guide surface means is operably positioned on certain of said preceding and outfeed conveyor mechanisms at opposite transverse sides of said unit receiving surface for guiding said units from said preceding conveyor mechanism to said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station and from said unit receiving station along said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 20

An outfeed conveyor mechanism as defined in claim 13 in which said preceding conveyor Mechanism includes means for intermittently depositing units generally vertically downwardly onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; in which generally vertically extending guide surface means operably positioned on certain of said preceding and outfeed conveyor mechanisms at opposite transverse sides of said unit receiving surface for guiding said units from said preceding conveyor mechanism to said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station and from said unit receiving station along said outfeed conveyor mechanism; in which there is one of said pusher mechanisms normally positioned at each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station extending transversely intermediate said unit receiving surface, said pusher mechanisms normally straddling said units deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; in which said means mounting said pusher mechanism includes means mounting both of said pusher mechanisms simultaneously movable in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while the other of said pusher mechanisms moves away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station permitting said units to be moved from said unit receiving station; and in which said driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism is operable connected to both said pusher mechanisms for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanisms in synchronized movements with said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanisms in either of said directions.

Claim 21

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism movable in opposite directions for moving said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism in either longitudinal direction from said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions of said outfeed conveyor mechanism in either of said opposite directions upon said preceding conveyor mechanism depositing a unit on said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; at least two pusher mechanisms positioned on said outfeed conveyor mechanism normally positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said unit receiving surface and simultaneously movable in either of opposite directions with one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station, the other of said pusher mechanisms moving away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station when said one pusher mechanism is moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station to permit said unit deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism on said unit receiving surface to be moved longitudinally from said unit receiving station; said driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism also being operably connected to said pusher mechanisms for intermittently moving said pusher mechanisms in synchronized movement with said unit receiving surface portions and in the same direction as said unit receiving surface portions.

Claim 22

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism movable in opposite directions for moving said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism in either longitudinal direction from said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions of said outfeed conveyor mechanism in either of said opposite directions upon said preceding conveyor mechanism depositing a unit on said unit receiving surface of said outfeed conveyor mechanism; at least two pusher mechanisms positioned on said outfeed conveyor mechanism normally positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said unit receiving surface and simultaneously movable in either of opposite directions with one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station, the other of said pusher mechanisms moving away from its longitudinal end of said unit receiving station when said one pusher mechanism is moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station to permit said unit deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism on said unit receiving surface to be moved longitudinally from said unit receiving station; said driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism also being operably connected to said pusher mechanisms for intermittently moving said pusher mechanisms in synchronized movement with said unit receiving surface portions and in the same direction as said unit receiving surface portions.

Claim 23

In an outfeed conveyor mechanism for receiving and conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like from a preceding conveyor mechanism, the combination of: a main frame; a conveying device on said main frame defining a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface forming a unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface movable in opposite directions for moving units in either longitudinal direction generally horizontally from said unit receiving station received from a preceding conveyor mechanism onto said unit receiving surface; driving means operably connected to said conveying device for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions in either of said opposite directions; a group of longitudinally spaced, transverse rollers positioned longitudinally adjacent said unit receiving surface at longitudinal ends of said unit receiving surface, each of said roller groups being comprised of a series of freely longitudinally rotatable, low inertia rollers generally longitudinally and horizontally aligned with said unit receiving surface, said low inertia rollers each being formed of a light material such as aluminum and the like and having low inertia characteristics so as to quickly lose rotating inertia supplied thereto upon a unit passing thereover from said unit receiving surface and retard speed of movement of said unit.

Claim 24

In an outfeed conveyor mechanism for receiving and conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like from a preceding conveyor mechanism, the combination of: a main frame; a conveying device on said main frame defining a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface forming a unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface movable in opposite directions for moving units in either longitudinal direction generally horizontally from said unit receiving station received from a preceding conveyor mechanism onto said unit receiving surface; driving means operably connected to said conveying device for intermittently moving at least said unit receiving surface portions in either of said opposite directions; a group of longitudinally spaced, transverse rollers positioned longitudinally adjacent said unit receiving surface at longitudinal ends of said unit receiving surface, each of said roller groups being comprised of a series of freely longitudinally rotatable, low inertia rollers generally longitudinally and horizontally aligned with said unit receiving surface, said low inertia rollers each being formed of a light material such as aluminum and the like and having low inertia characteristics so as to quickly lose rotating inertia supplied thereto upon a unit passing thereover from said unit receiving surface and retard speed of movement of said unit.

Claim 25

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; a pusher mechanism on said outfeed conveyor mechanism positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting said pusher mechanism movable in at least one longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said units longitudinally and generally horizontally in said one direction from said unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface movable in at least said one longitudinal direction of said pusher mechanism aiding said pusher mechanism in moving said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism longitudinally and generally horizontally in said one direction from said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanism in said one direction across said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism and intermittently moving said at least portions of said unit receiving surface simultaneously with said movement of said pusher mechanism.

Claim 26

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; a pusher mechanism on said outfeed conveyor mechanism positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; means mounting said pusher mechanism movable in at least one longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said units longitudinally and generally horizontally in said one direction from said unit receiving station; means mounting at least portions of said unit receiving surface movable in at least said one longitudinal direction of said pusher mechanism aiding said pusher mechanism in moving said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism longitudinally and generally horizontally in said one direction from said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently moving said pusher mechanism in said one direction across said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism and intermittently moving said at least portions of said unit receiving surface simultaneously with said movement of said pusher mechanism.

Claim 27

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; pusher mechanism on said outfeed conveyor mechanism positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station Including at least two pusher mechanisms. One of said pusher mechanisms being normally positioned movable across each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station and longitudinally across said unit receiving station; means mounting said pusher mechanisms simultaneously movable in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said units longitudinally and generally horizontally in either direction from said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while the other of said pusher mechanism moves free of said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanism in either of said directions across said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 28

In a conveyor system for conveying units such as stacks of publications and the like, the combination of: an outfeed conveyor mechanism; a longitudinal, generally horizontal unit receiving surface on said outfeed conveyor mechanism forming a unit receiving station; a movable preceding conveyor mechanism aligned with said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; driving means operably connected to said preceding conveyor mechanism for moving said preceding conveyor mechanism to intermittently deposit units onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; pusher mechanism on said outfeed conveyor mechanism positioned actionable above said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station Including at least two pusher mechanisms. One of said pusher mechanisms being normally positioned movable across each longitudinal end of said unit receiving station and longitudinally across said unit receiving station; means mounting said pusher mechanisms simultaneously movable in either longitudinal direction along said unit receiving surface longitudinally across said unit receiving station for engaging said units intermittently deposited by said preceding conveyor mechanism and moving said units longitudinally and generally horizontally in either direction from said unit receiving station, one of said pusher mechanisms moving longitudinally across said unit receiving station while the other of said pusher mechanism moves free of said unit receiving station; and driving means operably connected to said outfeed conveyor mechanism and synchronized with movements of said preceding conveyor mechanism for intermittently and simultaneously moving said pusher mechanism in either of said directions across said unit receiving station of said outfeed conveyor mechanism.

Claim 29

A conveyor system as defined in claim 20 in which said preceding conveyor mechanism includes means for intermittently depositing units generally vertically downwardly onto said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station; and in which generally vertically extending guide surface means is operably positioned on certain of said preceding and outfeed conveyor mechanisms at opposite transverse sides of said unit receiving surface for guiding said units from said preceding conveyor mechanism to said unit receiving surface at said unit receiving station, and from aid unit receiving station along said outfeed conveyor mechanism.