Load handling installations

Claim 1

A computer- or coder-controlled load handling installation, such as roller conveyor equipment designed to transfer a load from a departure station from which the load sets off to an arrival station at which the load is stopped, comprising: (a) a buffer assembly at said arrival station for smoothly stopped said load as the load reaches the arrival station, said buffer assembly including a fixed support and a yieldable stop plate adapted to be engaged by said load upon its arrival at said arrival station; (b) a shock absorber including spring means and damping means and a position sensor associated with the shock absorber on which said stop plate is mounted, wherein said shock absorber and said position sensor each includes a telescopic apparatus operatively involving a pneumatic spring device, and wherein said buffer assembly is adapted to bring said load to a smooth stop, is responsive to the position of said stop plate detected by the position detector which emits a signal when said stop plate is in a predetermined position for disposal of said load; and (c) load disposal means under the control of said position sensor for shifting said load from said arrival station of said conveyor to a second departure station of a further conveyor.