Transfer bridge for letter sorting systems

US5353903A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Otmar Kechel · Stockach, DE
• Dieter Altenburg · Allensbach, DE
• Werner Frank · Radolfzell, DE
• Armin Zimmermann · Konstanz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 11, 1994
• Expiry date: Oct 29, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B07C1/025
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A letter sorting system includes a row of juxtaposed stack compartments; a material intake device arranged along and spaced from the compartments; a carriage arranged for travel along the compartments; and a transfer bridge mounted on the carriage to be displaced thereby along the compartments. The transfer bridge includes an exterior frame pivotally attached to the carriage for pivotal motions into first and second positions; an interior frame pivotally attached to the exterior frame for pivotal motions into first and second positions; and a slide having a first part attached to the interior frame and a second part attached to the exterior frame. Dependent upon simultaneous positions of the exterior and interior frames, the transfer bridge may assume first, second and third operating positions. In the first operating position sliding surfaces of the first and second parts of the slide form a continuous, upwardly facing surface for guiding material thereon between a selected compartment and the material intake device. In the second operating position a part of the interior frame is oriented upwardly and is adapted to accommodate a container thereon; and in the third operating posit…