Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
An actuating apparatus for a diverter for sheet articles moving at equal time intervals along a first path comprising a diverter positioned at a fork junction and being moveable between a first position where said articles are moved along said first path and a second position where selected articles are diverted out of said first path into a second path, an actuating linkage for causing said diverter to move to said second position in response to a signal, control means upstream of said fork junction for monitoring said articles moving along said first path and for delivering said signal, first energy storage means for biasing said actuating linkage so that said diverter is moved to said second position when energy is stored therein, means for storing energy in said first energy storage means during a fraction of one of said equal time intervals in response to said signal and for keeping energy stored in said first energy storage means for a predetermined period, second energy storage means for moving said actuating linkage so that said diverter is moved to said first position when energy is stored therein, locking means for holding said actuating linkage against the bias of said first energy storage means, a shaft rotatable in sequence with said equal time intervals, said locking means being coupled to said shaft and being releasable at least once during each of said equal time intervals, and a lever attached to said diverter, said locking means comprising a double-acting abutment moveable into the path of said lever, said lever being moveable when said diverter is actuated and having corresponding abutments surfaces, said double-acting abutment being moveable to lock said diverter in either said first or second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
An actuating apparatus for a diverter for sheet articles moving at equal time intervals along a first path comprising a diverter positioned at a fork junction and being moveable between a first position where said articles are moved along said first path and a second position where selected articles are diverted out of said first path into a second path, an actuating linkage for causing said diverter to move to said second position in response to a signal, control means upstream of said fork junction for monitoring said articles moving along said first path and for delivering said signal, first energy storage means for biasing said actuating linkage so that said diverter is moved to said second position when energy is stored therein, means for storing energy in said first energy storage means during a fraction of one of said equal time intervals in response to said signal and for keeping energy stored in said first energy storage means for a predetermined period, second energy storage means for moving said actuating linkage so that said diverter is moved to said first position when energy is stored therein, locking means for holding said actuating linkage against the bias of said first energy storage means, a shaft rotatable in sequence with said equal time intervals, said locking means being coupled to said shaft and being releasable at least once during each of said equal time intervals, and a lever attached to said diverter, said locking means comprising a double-acting abutment moveable into the path of said lever, said lever being moveable when said diverter is actuated and having corresponding abutments surfaces, said double-acting abutment being moveable to lock said diverter in either said first or second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and a further comprising means for storing energy in said second energy storage means after actuation of said actuating linkage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said first and second energy storage means each comprise one chamber of a double-acting pneumatic piston cylinder unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said control means issues a control signal during the passage of an article to be diverted and for a duration corresponding to said passage, wherein the means for storing energy in said first energy storage means comprises a cam rotatable in sequence with said equal time intervals, a switch activated by said cam to deliver a sequence signal, comparator means for comparing said control signal and said sequence signal and for generating a diverting signal when said sequence and control signals are simultaneously received to cause energy to be stored in said first energy storage means for actuating said diverter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said comparator means generates a signal to activate said means for storing energy in said second energy storage means for moving said diverter to said first position when said sequence signal but not said control signal is received at the input of said comparator means.