US4690283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parcel sorting apparatus
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1985-12-26
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Granted: 1987-09-01
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Expires: 2005-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A parcel sorting and distributing apparatus includes a plurality of inclined chutes which receive parcels at their open upper ends. Each parcel slides down a chute into a receptacle such as a mail hamper. The chutes are vertically stacked and arranged in a spoke-like fashion about a circle with the aggregate of their upper ends forming a cylindrical surface. A rotatable vertical mast at the axis of the cylinder includes a pivotally mounted carrier. In one position the carrier retains a parcel; when it pivots to a second position, the parcel spills out into one of the chutes. A first motor causes the mast to rotate and a second motor drives the carrier vertically along the mast. A parcel which has been identified as to its destination is loaded into the carrier, and a controller controls the first motor, the second motor and the carrier pivot so as to convey the parcel to the appropriate receptacle. Sensors are disclosed for, inter alia, preventing an oversize parcel from entering the system, ensuring that each parcel entering the system drops into one of the receptacles, and gauging the approximate volume of each parcel so as to estimate when each receptacle is full.
Inventors
- 👤 Ross M. Carrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:33
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/02; B07C3/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for sorting and distributing articles, said apparatus comprising: an array of inclined chute sets, each chute set comprising a plurality of inclined chutes, open at their upper and lower ends, said chutes arranged so that the aggregate of their upper ends forms a generally cylindrical surface having a substantially vertical central axis and their lower ends are disposed outwardly of said cylindrical surface forming radially spaced rows of axially directed openings; a plurality of of receptacles, each one positioned adjacent the lower end of a respective one of said chutes, such that an article exiting the lower end of one of said chutes will drop into one of said receptacles; a rotatable mast having a longitudinal central axis aligned substantially with the central axis of said cylindrical surface; a carrier on said mast; carrier motion means for producing pivotal motion of said carrier between a first position and a second position, said first position being such that said carrier retains an article therein, said second position of said carrier causing an article carried therein to spill radially outward of said central axis of said mast into the upper end of one of said chutes; loading means for loading said articles into said carrier when said carrier is in said first position; mast motion means for producing rotary motion of said mast about its central axis; elevating means for elevating and lowering said carrier on said mast; and control means for controlling said carrier motion means, said mast motion means and said elevating means, so that an article which has been loaded into said carrier by said loading means may be conveyed to a predetermined one of said plurality of receptacles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for sorting and distributing articles, said apparatus comprising: an array of inclined chute sets, each chute set comprising a plurality of inclined chutes, open at their upper and lower ends, said chutes arranged so that the aggregate of their upper ends forms a generally cylindrical surface having a substantially vertical central axis and their lower ends are disposed outwardly of said cylindrical surface forming radially spaced rows of axially directed openings; a plurality of of receptacles, each one positioned adjacent the lower end of a respective one of said chutes, such that an article exiting the lower end of one of said chutes will drop into one of said receptacles; a rotatable mast having a longitudinal central axis aligned substantially with the central axis of said cylindrical surface; a carrier on said mast; carrier motion means for producing pivotal motion of said carrier between a first position and a second position, said first position being such that said carrier retains an article therein, said second position of said carrier causing an article carried therein to spill radially outward of said central axis of said mast into the upper end of one of said chutes; loading means for loading said articles into said carrier when said carrier is in said first position; mast motion means for producing rotary motion of said mast about its central axis; elevating means for elevating and lowering said carrier on said mast; and control means for controlling said carrier motion means, said mast motion means and said elevating means, so that an article which has been loaded into said carrier by said loading means may be conveyed to a predetermined one of said plurality of receptacles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mast motion means includes a stepper motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mast motion includes a closed-loop servo motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including sensor means for sensing when articles exit said chutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said sensor means includes a photodetector and a light source providing a light beam directed toward said photodetector, said light source and said photodetector spaced apart from one another such that an article exiting one of said chutes interrupts said light beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for measuring the approximate volume of said articles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said volume measuring means includes sensor means and computing means responsive to said sensor means, said sensor means including a plurality of light sources providing light beams respectively toward a plurality of photodetectors such that an article at said loading means interrupts said light beams from reaching said plurality of photodetectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said computing means includes means for computing the volume of articles received in each of said receptacles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elevating means includes an internally-threaded sleeve on said carrier and a threaded shaft engaging said sleeve, said threaded shaft having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said central axis of said mast, said threaded shaft being selectively rotatable about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
328 words
A system for sorting and distributing articles, said articles having destination information thereon, said system comprising: means for conveying said articles to a work station; a plurality of distribution stations; and means at said work station responsive to said destination information for selectively conveying said articles to said distribution stations, wherein each of said distribution stations comprises: an array of inclined chute sets, each chute set comprising a plurality of inclined chutes, open at their upper and lower ends, said chutes arranged so that the aggregate of their upper ends forms a generally cylindrical surface having a substantially vertical central axis and their lower ends are disposed outwardly of said cylindrical surface forming radially spaced rows of axially directed openings; a plurality of receptacles, each one positioned adjacent the lower end of a respective one of said chutes, such that an article exiting the lower end of one of said chutes will drop into one of said receptacles; a rotatable mast having a longitudinal central axis aligned substantially with the central axis of said cylindrical surface; a carrier on said mast; carrier motion means for producing pivotal motion of said carrier between a first position and a second position, said first position being such that said carrier retains an article therein, said second position of said carrier causing an article carried therein to spill radially outward of said central axis of said mast into the upper end of one of said chutes; loading means for loading said articles into said carrier when said carrier is in said first position; mast motion means for producing rotary motion of said mast about its central axis; elevating means for elevating and lowering said carrier on said mast; and control means for controlling said carrier motion means, said mast motion means and said elevating means, so that an article which has been loaded into said carrier by said loading means may be conveyed to a predetermined one of said plurality of receptacles.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
328 words
A system for sorting and distributing articles, said articles having destination information thereon, said system comprising: means for conveying said articles to a work station; a plurality of distribution stations; and means at said work station responsive to said destination information for selectively conveying said articles to said distribution stations, wherein each of said distribution stations comprises: an array of inclined chute sets, each chute set comprising a plurality of inclined chutes, open at their upper and lower ends, said chutes arranged so that the aggregate of their upper ends forms a generally cylindrical surface having a substantially vertical central axis and their lower ends are disposed outwardly of said cylindrical surface forming radially spaced rows of axially directed openings; a plurality of receptacles, each one positioned adjacent the lower end of a respective one of said chutes, such that an article exiting the lower end of one of said chutes will drop into one of said receptacles; a rotatable mast having a longitudinal central axis aligned substantially with the central axis of said cylindrical surface; a carrier on said mast; carrier motion means for producing pivotal motion of said carrier between a first position and a second position, said first position being such that said carrier retains an article therein, said second position of said carrier causing an article carried therein to spill radially outward of said central axis of said mast into the upper end of one of said chutes; loading means for loading said articles into said carrier when said carrier is in said first position; mast motion means for producing rotary motion of said mast about its central axis; elevating means for elevating and lowering said carrier on said mast; and control means for controlling said carrier motion means, said mast motion means and said elevating means, so that an article which has been loaded into said carrier by said loading means may be conveyed to a predetermined one of said plurality of receptacles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 10 further including sensor means for sensing when articles exit said chutes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The sytem according to claim 11 wherein said sensor means includes a photodetector and a light source providing a light beam directed toward said photodetector, said light source and said photodetector spaced apart from one another such that an article exiting one of said chutes interrupts said light beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 10 further including means for measuring the approximate volume of said articles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 13 wherein said volume measuring means includes second means and computing means responsive to said sensor means, said sensor means including a plurality of light sources providing light beams respectively toward a plurality of photodetectors such that an article at said loading means interrupts said light beams from reaching said plurality of photodetectors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 14 wherein said computing means includes means for computing the volume of articles received in each of said receptacles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 10 wherein said elevating means includes an internally-threaded sleeve on said carrier and a threaded shaft engaging said sleeve, said threaded shaft having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said central axis of said mast, said threaded shaft being selectively rotatable about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 10 wherein said means for selectively conveying said articles to said distribution stations includes indicator means uniquely indicative of said distribution stations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of distribution stations includes two distribution stations.
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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) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |