Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
Guide arm apparatus providing an entering wall back-up deflecting assembly for use with an item sorter/reader stacker having an entering end and a terminal end portion comprising; an elongated rigid member having means at opposite ends thereof for pluggably, vertically mounting said rigid member into an item pathway terminal area effective thereby to form a side wall for entering items at a terminal area in an item pathway, a wave spring member operably connected to said rigid member and being capable of curvilinearly flexing from right to left of the center of said rigid member and return without permanent deformation, means operably connected to the terminal end of said rigid member preventing reverse deflection of the entering items with respect to the terminal end portion of said rigid member, and flexible means operably mounted to the terminal end of said rigid member for contact on one side thereof with each item and for contact on the opposite side thereof with an operably associated switch mechanism with which said rigid member is operably associated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
Guide arm apparatus providing an entering wall back-up deflecting assembly for use with an item sorter/reader stacker having an entering end and a terminal end portion comprising; an elongated rigid member having means at opposite ends thereof for pluggably, vertically mounting said rigid member into an item pathway terminal area effective thereby to form a side wall for entering items at a terminal area in an item pathway, a wave spring member operably connected to said rigid member and being capable of curvilinearly flexing from right to left of the center of said rigid member and return without permanent deformation, means operably connected to the terminal end of said rigid member preventing reverse deflection of the entering items with respect to the terminal end portion of said rigid member, and flexible means operably mounted to the terminal end of said rigid member for contact on one side thereof with each item and for contact on the opposite side thereof with an operably associated switch mechanism with which said rigid member is operably associated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid member is tapered in two dimensions, both longitudionally and vertically and wherein said mounting means comprises oppositely disposed pedestal members integral with opposite ends of said rigid member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid member further includes an elongated, longitudionally extending opening and wherein said wave spring member is secured to said rigid member at opposite ends of said opening in such manner as to extend partially through said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said wave spring is curvilinearly bowed throughout its length and is provided with a constantly changing radius of curvature from end to end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid member is vertically bowed and wherein the upper portion of said terminal end of said member is vertically, rearwardly flared to provide means for supporting those items which are non self-supporting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the terminal end of said rigid member is provided with an angular offset portion which portion is angled outwardly away from the main plane of said rigid member providing means for deflecting items impinging thereagainst so that said items are forced to move in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of said rigid member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means preventing reverse deflection of said items comprises a pair of oppositely disposed, finely bristled, brush members and wherein said brush members are pluggably, demountably connected to said rigid member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible means comprises an elongated snap, mounted, demountable strip-like member, at least a portion of said member being bent back upon itself and being provided with means for removeably mounting said flexible member on said rigid member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wave spring member further comprises an elongated, thin, metallic strip, fixed at opposite ends to said rigid member and permanently bowed with the largest radius of curvature disposed at the smallest end of said rigid member so that said strip is capable of flexure horizontally through the opening in said rigid member in response to contact with the incoming items.