Bi-directional mail tray pusher
US7017730B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2203/043
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bidirectional article pusher for a conveying system, which includes a multiplicity of spaced rollers for moving articles along a longitudinal path. There is a push up stop arranged below the conveyor and movable between adjacent rollers to a position above the rollers to stop forward movement of an article which is on the rollers. There are lateral stations, one on each side of a section of the conveying system, and lateral diverters move articles which are on the rollers and stopped by the push up stop, to a position off of the rollers and out of the longitudinal path and at a right angle to the longitudinal path. A stop activator is controlled based upon information, such as that on a bar code sort label on an article and which has been previously provided to the control device upstream of the push up stop. There are three jam detection/correction devices provided to assure proper operation. One is a proximity sensor to detect the presence of the pusher fingers while in their home position. The other is a current overload sensor circuit which detects jams. The third is a number of software timers embedded in the control software for controlling the diverter arrangement. There i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.