US3642113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for discharging articles from a moving conveyor
Assignee: Conveyor Systems Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-17
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Diverting means at each of a number of articles diverting stations of a conveyor comprise a frame supported for rocking motion along an axis extending generally longitudinally of the conveyor below each diverting station. The frame carries first and second sets of continuously driven longitudinally spaced article impelling elements, such as friction wheels respectively moving in opposite directions and positioned on opposite sides of the pivot axis of the frame. Normally, the frame is balanced in a position where both sides of article impelling elements are located below the level of the conveyor. By rocking the frame in one direction or the other from the balanced position, one set or the other of article impelling elements are raised above the level of the conveyor to impel an article thereon in one direction or the other to an article receiving point on one side or the other of the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Burgis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/68; B65G47/71; B65G47/53; B65G47/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
In a conveyor system which directs articles along a given path and includes at least one article diverting station at which articles are to be selectively diverted to one lateral side or the other to one or the other of a pair of article receiving points, said conveyor system at said diverting station providing spaced coplanar support points for articles moving forwardly onto the diverting station, the improvement in means for laterally diverting an article on said diverting station selectively to one or the other of said article receiving points comprising: a frame supported for rocking moving about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said path below said diverting station, first article impelling means carried on said rocker frame on one side of said axis thereof, second article impelling means carried on said rocker frame on the other side of said axis thereof, said first article impelling means having uppermost portions moving laterally outwardly toward one of said article receiving points on one side of said diverting station, said second article impelling means having uppermost portions moving laterally toward the other article receiving point on the other side of said diverting station, said frame having a first operative position where the uppermost portions of one of said article impelling means are positioned below the plane of said article support points and the uppermost portions of the other article impelling means are positioned above the plane of said article support points at said diverting station and a second operative position where the uppermost portions of said one article impelling means are positioned above said plane of said article support points and the uppermost portions of said other article impelling means are positioned below said plane, and means for selectively rocking said frame to either of said operative positions so articles can be selectively diverted to either one of said article receiving points on the opposite lateral sides of said conveyor path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
In a conveyor system which directs articles along a given path and includes at least one article diverting station at which articles are to be selectively diverted to one lateral side or the other to one or the other of a pair of article receiving points, said conveyor system at said diverting station providing spaced coplanar support points for articles moving forwardly onto the diverting station, the improvement in means for laterally diverting an article on said diverting station selectively to one or the other of said article receiving points comprising: a frame supported for rocking moving about an axis extending generally longitudinally of said path below said diverting station, first article impelling means carried on said rocker frame on one side of said axis thereof, second article impelling means carried on said rocker frame on the other side of said axis thereof, said first article impelling means having uppermost portions moving laterally outwardly toward one of said article receiving points on one side of said diverting station, said second article impelling means having uppermost portions moving laterally toward the other article receiving point on the other side of said diverting station, said frame having a first operative position where the uppermost portions of one of said article impelling means are positioned below the plane of said article support points and the uppermost portions of the other article impelling means are positioned above the plane of said article support points at said diverting station and a second operative position where the uppermost portions of said one article impelling means are positioned above said plane of said article support points and the uppermost portions of said other article impelling means are positioned below said plane, and means for selectively rocking said frame to either of said operative positions so articles can be selectively diverted to either one of said article receiving points on the opposite lateral sides of said conveyor path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein said diverting station provides longitudinally spaced support points with openings therebetween, and said first and second article impelling means each includes first and second sets of longitudinally spaced article impelling elements which are moved upwardly between said spaces to contact longitudinally spaced points on the bottom of the article on the diverting station of the conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the frame has an initial inoperative position where the upper portions of said first and second article impelling means are both initially immediately below said plane of said spaced support points, so said articles selectively can be directed forwardly past said diverting station instead of being diverted to one side or the other thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The conveyor system of claim 3, wherein said frame is balanced in said initial inoperative position so only a modest force is required to rock the same between said inoperative and either operative position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The conveyor system of claim 2, wherein said longitudinally spaced support points at said diverting station are the upper surfaces of continuously driven longitudinally spaced rollers rotating about axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the article to and past said diverting station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The conveyor system of claim 2, wherein said sets of article impelling elements respectively are friction wheels mounted for rotation along respective axes extending parallel to and located on opposite sides of the rocking axis of said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The conveyor system of claim 5, wherein said sets of article impelling elements respectively are friction wheels mounted for rotation along respective axes positioned between said drive rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The conveyor system of claim 6, wherein said longitudinally spaced support points at said diverting station are the upper surfaces of continuously driven longitudinally spaced rollers rotating about axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the articles to said diverting station, and the corresponding pairs of friction wheels of said first and second set of article impelling means are respectively positioned in the same space between an adjacent pair of said rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The conveyor system of claim 8, wherein said pairs OF friction wheels are in longitudinally spaced, overlapping relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |