Batching and dispersing assembly for a conveyor system

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein said driving means comprise flexible dogs coupled to said driving chain, said flexible dogs being a means for yieldably encouraging said trolleys along said lower track.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2, wherein said flexible dogs are fabricated from nylon reinforced rubber belting having a thickness of 1/4 to 5/6 inches.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1, wherein said second distance between said upper and lower tracks is formed so that said trolley drive capturing means pass over said trolleys.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1, wherein said stop means is activated between first and second positions by a pneumatic cylinder and is capable of being disposed into the path of a trolley when in said first position to stop the progress of said trolley through said dispersing assembly.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing means is comprised of: a. a first sensing means for sensing a trolley entering said dispersing assembly and for activating said stop means into said first position blocking the path of said trolley; b. a second sensing means for sensing said drive capturing means as it leaves said dispersing assembly and for activating said stop means into said second position such that the stopped trolley is individually released and driven forward by said driving means and captured by said drive capturing means.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of sensing means comprises: a. a first sensing means comprising a spaced pair of first elongated members coupled to at least a first solenoid switch, said at least a first solenoid switch being activated only when both of said first elongated members are simultaneously displaced by said first and second end of said trolley, said activated first solenoid switch causes said stop means to be activated, said stop means thereby blocking the path of an oncoming trolley; b. a second sensing means comprising of a spaced pair of second elongated members coupled to at least a second solenoid switch, said at least second solenoid switch being activated only when both of said elongated members are simultaneously contacted by said drive capturing means, said activated second solenoid switch causing said stop means to be activated thereby causing said stop means to unblock the path of said trolley. c. a third sensing means coupled to said second sensing means comprised of a third elongated member coupled to at least a third solenoid switch, said third sensing means for closing a switch thereby completing a circuit and permitting said second sensing means to activate said stop means, said third sensing means activated when said trolley is positioned between said stop means and said anti-reversing means, said third sensing means activated by said third elongated member contacting said trolley.

Claim 11

In a conveyor system which includes an upper track containing a driving chain coupled to at least one drive capturing means, and a lower track spaced a first distance from said upper track for supporting trolleys, the improvement wherein a batching portion is formed by spacing said lower track from said upper track a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance and sufficient to permit said drive capturing means to pass over said trolleys, said trolleys in said batching portion propelled along by flexible driving means coupled to said driving chain.

Claim 12

In a conveyor system which includes an upper track containing a driving chain coupled to at least one drive capturing means, and a lower track spaced a first distance from said upper track for supporting trolleys, the improvement wherein a batching portion is formed by spacing said lower track from said upper track a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance and sufficient to permit said drive capturing means to pass over said trolleys, said trolleys in said batching portion propelled along by flexible driving means coupled to said driving chain.

Claim 13

The system of claim 9 wherein said flexible driving means comprise flexible dogs coupled to said driving chain, said flexible driving means being a means for yieldably encouraging said trolleys along said lower track.

Claim 14

The system of claim 10 wherein said flexible dogs are fabricated from nylon reinforced rubber belting having a thickness of 1/4 to 5/16 inches.

Claim 15

In a conveyor system which includes an upper track containing a driving chain coupled to at least one drive capturing means, and a lower track spaced a first distance from said upper track for supporting trolleys, the improvement comprising a dispersing assembly for accumulating said trolleys and for individually dispatching trolleys into said conveyor system, said dispersing assembly comprising at least one stop means activated by sensing means having a. a first sensing means for sensing a trolley entering said dispersing assembly and for activating said stop means into said first position blocking the path of said trolley; b. a second sensing means for sensing said drive capturing means as it leaves said dispersing assembly and for activating said stop means into said second position such that the stopped trolley is individually released and driven forward by said driving means and captured by said drive capturing means.

Claim 16

In a conveyor system which includes an upper track containing a driving chain coupled to at least one drive capturing means, and a lower track spaced a first distance from said upper track for supporting trolleys, the improvement comprising a dispersing assembly for accumulating said trolleys and for individually dispatching trolleys into said conveyor system, said dispersing assembly comprising at least one stop means activated by sensing means having a. a first sensing means for sensing a trolley entering said dispersing assembly and for activating said stop means into said first position blocking the path of said trolley; b. a second sensing means for sensing said drive capturing means as it leaves said dispersing assembly and for activating said stop means into said second position such that the stopped trolley is individually released and driven forward by said driving means and captured by said drive capturing means.

Claim 17

The system of claim 12 wherein said stop means is activated between a first and second position by a pneumatic cylinder and is disposed into the path of a trolley when in said first position to stop the progress of said trolley through said dispersing assembly.