US3661255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorting apparatus
Assignee: Delta Design Inc
•
Filing: 1970-02-02
•
Granted: 1972-05-09
•
Expires: 1990-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A sorting apparatus having a support structure, three containers, and a sorting mechanism. The sorting mechanism comprises two rotatable partitions as well as three fixed partitions thereby providing the capability of selectively directing a device to be sorted along one of three paths in response to a signal.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Toth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:15
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/36; B07C5/361; B07C5/362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups; said enclosure comprising opposite spaced parallel walls having inside plane surfaces and side edge walls between said spaced parallel walls; mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions having opposite edges parallel to and adjacent the respective inside plane surfaces, said partitions being operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said partitions, said spaced parallel walls and said side edge walls together forming said paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers, said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups; said enclosure comprising opposite spaced parallel walls having inside plane surfaces and side edge walls between said spaced parallel walls; mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions having opposite edges parallel to and adjacent the respective inside plane surfaces, said partitions being operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said partitions, said spaced parallel walls and said side edge walls together forming said paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers, said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electric actuated members comprise a rotary solenoid mounted on one of said opposite spaced parallel walls and a shaft on the solenoid extending from the respective spaced parallel wall into operative engagement with said axial portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
258 words
A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure; a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure, an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups, mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to A signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers, said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths, said movable partitions each comprising a bushing and two extending arms each connected to said bushing, said arms having side faces receptive to said product disposed at an obtuse angle from one another whereby to change the direction of movement of said product while passing in engagement with said movable partition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
258 words
A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure; a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure, an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups, mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to A signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers, said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths, said movable partitions each comprising a bushing and two extending arms each connected to said bushing, said arms having side faces receptive to said product disposed at an obtuse angle from one another whereby to change the direction of movement of said product while passing in engagement with said movable partition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
252 words
A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure; a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure; an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups, mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths, said support structure and supporting means for said containers being connected together as a unit, and a vertically movable and tiltable adjustable connection between said support structure and said supporting means for changing the relative position between said support structure and said containers and enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
252 words
A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a product for sorting said product into predetermined sorted product groups comprising: a support structure; a plurality of containers for receiving said sorted product groups, said containers being supported by said support structure; an enclosure in communication with said support structure having an entrance end for receiving serially a plurality of said product to be sorted and having an exit end in communication with said containers for depositing said product into said sorted product groups, mutually cooperating stationary and movable partitions operative with said enclosure for subdividing said enclosure into a plurality of paths, said movable partitions each including an electric actuated member movable in response to a signal for directing said product through one of said paths to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving the respective movable partition in response thereto, whereby the product that caused the signal is sorted into one of said containers said movable partitions each comprising an axial portion extending transverse with respect to the direction of said paths and deflecting portions extending radially outwardly from said axial portion, said deflecting portions being movable between first and second positions for directing said product selectively along first and second paths, said support structure and supporting means for said containers being connected together as a unit, and a vertically movable and tiltable adjustable connection between said support structure and said supporting means for changing the relative position between said support structure and said containers and enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
249 words
A sorting apparatus comprising: a. a support structure; b. a housing mounted to said support structure, said housing having an opening to receive serially a plurality of devices to be sorted and another opening at a lower vertical height for ejecting serially the sorted plurality of devices; c. a partition connected to said housing having a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion being movable between two positions in response to a signal for directing said devices along different paths; d. means for receiving a signal and for moving said rotatable portion of said partition in response thereto; and e. a plurality of containers removably supported by said support structure at a lower vertical height than said housing for receiving sorted devices; f. said partition comprising two fixed portions and two rotatable portions providing selectively three different paths within said housing, each of said rotatable portions comprising a bushing and two extending arms, said arms being disposed at an obtuse angle relative one another; g. said plurality of containers comprising three containers, each container corresponding to one of said three different paths, one of said arms of each said rotatable portion being shorter than the other of said arms, said Devices making first contact with the longer of said arms, sliding along said longer arm to said shorter arm which is at a greater angle from a vertical reference plane than said longer arm whereby said devices are slowed before dropping into one of said three containers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
249 words
A sorting apparatus comprising: a. a support structure; b. a housing mounted to said support structure, said housing having an opening to receive serially a plurality of devices to be sorted and another opening at a lower vertical height for ejecting serially the sorted plurality of devices; c. a partition connected to said housing having a fixed portion and a rotatable portion, said rotatable portion being movable between two positions in response to a signal for directing said devices along different paths; d. means for receiving a signal and for moving said rotatable portion of said partition in response thereto; and e. a plurality of containers removably supported by said support structure at a lower vertical height than said housing for receiving sorted devices; f. said partition comprising two fixed portions and two rotatable portions providing selectively three different paths within said housing, each of said rotatable portions comprising a bushing and two extending arms, said arms being disposed at an obtuse angle relative one another; g. said plurality of containers comprising three containers, each container corresponding to one of said three different paths, one of said arms of each said rotatable portion being shorter than the other of said arms, said Devices making first contact with the longer of said arms, sliding along said longer arm to said shorter arm which is at a greater angle from a vertical reference plane than said longer arm whereby said devices are slowed before dropping into one of said three containers.
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) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |