Patent US3921786A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveyer sorter apparatus
Assignee: A W AND H Manufacturing CO Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for sorting and directing various items of diverse shape, size and weight from a point of origin to a delivery station. The sorting apparatus includes a conveyer having a diverting arm associated therewith which is actuated in response to items moving along the conveyer belt and sensed at a sensing station to actuate movement of the diverter arm at the appropriate time for intercepting the article moving along the conveyer and diverting the article to a holding area or delivery station. The diverting arm is formed in a tapered wedge configuration providing high strength and light weight. The movement of the diverter arm is continuous to sweep across the conveyer and return to its original position out of the path of travel of the conveyer belt through operation of a unidirectionally operated motor which eliminates the need for reversal of the motor to return the diverter arm from the intercept position.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry P Hejmanowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/76; B65G47/766
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A conveyor apparatus for transporting articles to predetermined delivery stations comprising: transport means having an upper surface for supporting and moving an article in a path of movement; and intercept means including a tapered wedge-shape diverting member pivoted at one end adjacent said transport means with the free end thereof actuable in a path of movement parallel to the upper surface of said transport means to sweep an article moving in said path of movement therefrom in a continuous flowing path of movement, and actuating means coupled to said diverting member for selectively sweeping the diverting member in a unidirectional rotation of a substantially 360* arcuate path about the pivoted end from an initial position out of the path of movement of the transport means along the direction of travel of said transport means to a position to sweep an article and returning to said initial position in a continuous movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A conveyor apparatus for transporting articles to predetermined delivery stations comprising: transport means having an upper surface for supporting and moving an article in a path of movement; and intercept means including a tapered wedge-shape diverting member pivoted at one end adjacent said transport means with the free end thereof actuable in a path of movement parallel to the upper surface of said transport means to sweep an article moving in said path of movement therefrom in a continuous flowing path of movement, and actuating means coupled to said diverting member for selectively sweeping the diverting member in a unidirectional rotation of a substantially 360* arcuate path about the pivoted end from an initial position out of the path of movement of the transport means along the direction of travel of said transport means to a position to sweep an article and returning to said initial position in a continuous movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an article moving on said transport means in a path of movement maintains a constant orientation upon being swept therefrom in a continuous flowing path of movement by said intercept means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including an auxiliary roller positioned adjacent to said intercept means and having its axis of rotation transverse of the path of movement of an article swept from said transport means to facilitate continuous movement of the article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said auxiliary roller is positively driven.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including sensing means responsive to the movement of an article in said path of movement to actuate said intercept means for sweeping the article therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including rotatable belt guide means positioned adjacent said transport means path of movement for preventing lateral movement of said transport means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transport means comprise a roller conveyer including a pair of parallel spaced frame members, a plurality of carrier rollers carried by said frame members and extending transversely therebetween, a plurality of spaced sheaves supported by one of said frame members, adjustable mounting means carrying said sheaves for vertical positioning relative to said member, a drive motor having a drive pulley, and an endless drive belt carried by said drive pulley and said sheaves in constrained contact therewith and operatively connected for driving engagement of said carrier rollers in response to the vertical positioning of said sheaves relative to said frame member, said drive belt having a greater length when constrained in contact with said drive pulley and said sheaves than when not stressed thereabout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said drive belt is carried by said sheaves in substantially point contact with said carrier rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said drive belt comprises a urethane elastomer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said drive belt has a substantially homogeneous circular cross-section with a hard abrasive resistant surface having a high coefficient of friction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |