AU616588B2

AU616588B2 - Diverter mechanism

Info

Publication number: AU616588B2
Application number: AU47935/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Derek Vickers
Original assignee: Dexion Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Dexion Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-01-12
Filing date: 1990-01-12
Publication date: 1991-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-12
Also published as: US5048665A; AU4793590A

Description

~ir Our Ref: 226534

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FORM

(ORIGINAL)

Application Number: Lodged: 61658 4e, *4 4* 4 4 4 4r Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: 9 Applicant(s): Address for Service: Dexion (Australia) Tattersall Road BLACKTOWN NSW 2148

AUSTRALIA

Pty Limited 4 *4 ARTHUR S. CAVE CO.

Patent Trade Mark Attornerys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 4 4 44 44 4 4 4* *4 *1 Complete specification for the invention entitled "Diverter mechanism".

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of iprforming it known to me:- 012472 i2O019 :il;

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DIVERTER MECHANISM 00 0o a 0o 0 0000 00 0 go 0 0 00 0 0000 0 000 0000 0000 0000 o0o 0o 00 0 000000 0 0 00 0 0 00 0 0 The present invention relates to the selective sorting of objects moving along a conveying surface such that objects may be selectively diverted at both high conveying speeds and with small separation between objects.

The present invention relates to conveying system where a conveying surface is provided along which objects to be sorted travel in a longitudinal direction. A diverting structure is placed across the conveying surface such that objects may be sorted into two groups, those that are undiverted and continue along the conveying surface, and those that are diverted transversly off the conveying surface, usually onto another conveying surface.

In high speed situations the time and distance spacing between objects is reduced and thus the time allowed for diversion is reduced.

A known diverter system utilises a pusher plate mounted on a hydraulic ram and acting transversely of the conveying surface. This system is only useful for slow speed sorting since high speed sorting reduces the time allowed for diverting. Consequentialy the speed of operation of the pusher plate must also increase, but this causes high speed impact of the pusher plate on the object to be diverted, causing damage.

A further disadvantage is that the pusher plate must pass from one side of the conveyor to the other, to divert the object, and return across the conveyor before a second object may be diverted. During this 'dead time' of the return stroke an.

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i i is: 1863k/AJG object to be diverted may pass the diverting pusher plate and will not be diverted. Thus a large spacing between objects is necessary, again slowing conveying and sorting speed.

A slightly more refined diverting system utilises an endless chain situated in a slot below the conveying surface and mounted on two sprockets, one on each side of the conveying surface. The chain is angled at approximately 450 to the conveying surface. Mounted on part of the chain are diverting members. The chain, in one position has these diverting members on its underside run, and not protruding above the o of 0..0 conveying surface, allowing objects to pass, undiverted, over 00o o0 o j o S° the conveying slot. Rotation of the sprockets will cause the 0 diverting members to move to the upper run, presenting part of 0o0 0 80 the diverting members above the conveying surface. An object oooo travelling on the conveying surface shall contact these diverting members and, due to their angle to the longitudinal direction, shall be diverted sideways off the conveying .0 surface. Again, since the diverting members are stationary, high speed operation causes unacceptable damage and the a0 Q' mechanism also suffers also from dead time, resulting in large spacing between objects.

o Another prior art diverter system utilises a chain which t continuously rotates around two sprockets spaced under and across the conveying system. Both runs are beneath the i' conveying surface and the sprockets are mounted on a frame work which allows the sprockets to be raised such that the upper run is above conveying surface. The chain run is at an angle to I 3 1863k/AJG I 1 the longitudinal direction. By choosing chain speed appropriate to the angle of the chain to the longitudinal direction and the conveying speed each individual link shall have a speed in the longitudinal direction equal to the j conveying speed. Thus, when diverting objects, the relative motion of the chain to object is a low speed transverse one, reducing the impact and damage. While this system avoids damage through high speed impact it still suffers "dead time"~ when the sprockets are being raised or lowered.

A further prior art system described in Australian Patent No. 560857 utilises a continuously moving chain rotating about o sprockets at an angle to the conveyin,. direction. Again both 09 0 runs are below the conveying surface but are fixed there.

Mounted on the chain links are movable diverting members which, in a raised position, protrude above the conveying surface and divert objects as previously described, while in a lowered 0 position do not protrude and do not divert.

This patent discloses two different movable diverter members. In the first system the diverter members rotate in o*the plane of the chain and thus a spacing between adjacent diverter members is required to allow for rotation from lowered 0 to raised positions. This has the advantage of no dead time 0:0:and low impact but has the disadvantage of being unable to sort small objects due to the gaps between adjacent diverter members.

The second system utilises diverter members sliding in a vertical plane parallel to the chain run between raised and lowered position. Each diverter member has a pin extending -4- 18 6 3k/AJTG perpendicular to the plane of movement. In the raised position the pin slides on the upper surface of a longitudinal bar. In the lowered position the pin is below the bar. The lifter mechanism is at one end of this bar and selectively raises or lowers the diverter members. Since the pins must pass between upper and lower sides of the bar there is a probability that a pin will not be moved sufficently and will jam on the end of the bar. This inhibits high speeds of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a diverting system which allows high speed sorting of small 0 objects without dead time, a greatly reduced probability of S jamming and with reduced damage to the object to be sorted.

0 0 000 Accordingly the invention provides a conveying system 0oo0 comprising: a conveying surface upon which articles are conveyed in a longitudinal direction; an endless member passing linearly beneath the conveying surface from one edge to the other at an oblique angle to the 0 longitudinal direction; a plurality of diverter members mounted on the endless 0o member, each diverter member at least partially pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member between a first position wherein all of the diverter member lies beneath the conveying surface, and a second position wherein at least part of the diverter member extends above the conveying surface; means to move the diverter members between said first and 1863k/AJG h a.Ti 'niishg ped foeain 1863k/SC second positions.

The invention also provides a diverter member for use in a diverting system comprising a conveying surface and an endless member passing obliquely across the conveying surface upon which a plurality of diverter members are mounted, the diverter member comprising: a first section; means for mounting said first section on said endless member such that said first section is pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member between a first position where the first section lies beneath the conveying surface, and a second position where at least part of the first section extends above the conveying surface.

Yet further the invention provides a method of diverting o9 articles conveyed along a conveying surface, comprising: providing an endless member moving beneath the 6 69 conveying surface at an oblique angle thereto, having a plurality diverter members mounted thereon; sensing articles on the conveying surface to be diverted; selectively pivoting at least part of at least one diverter member about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member to position at least part of said at least one diverter above the v conveying surface; whereby articles are diverted.

Preferably the endless member is a chain.

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It 9 0 0 0; 0 0 o 04 o o zm o o 00o o ,8 o o 0 0 000 0*o0 000O 0 I Preferably the chain has a speed in the longitudinal direction equal to that of the conveying surface.

Preferably the conveying surface is defined by a series of rollers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. la shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. For clarity every other diverter member is not shown.

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a conveying structure having a slot passing obliquely across the conveying surface in which a diverting structure may be mounted.

Fig. 2 shows a transverse cross section of the diverting structure of the present invention.

Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show various views of a part of the diverting structure of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d show various views of another part of the diverting structure of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of an actuating device for selectively positioning diverter members of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention is preferably used with roller conveying systems and accordingly, as shown in Fig. 1, there is a conveyor structure 1 having a plurality of parallel conveying rollers 2 which convey objects in a longitudinally extending plane indicated by arrow 3. Passing through this plane at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction is a slot 4.

7 0000 0 4r 0r8 0 0000 *o 4 4 10 0 0( j i r: ai .i! 7 i ir i -d 1863k/AJG Within this slot 4 is mounted a diverting structure (not shown in Fig. i).

In the preferred form the slot 4 is angled at 450 to the longitudinal direction 3 and an endless chain is continuously rotated about two sprockets at either side of the conveying surface. Referring to Fig. 2, a plurality of diverting members are mounted on the chain 6 and are each movable between a lowered position 7, as indicated by the solid line in Fig. 2 and raised position 8, as indicated by the broken line in Fig.

2. In the lowered position 7 the diverting member 5 lies S within the slot 4 and does not protrude above the conveying So surface 9. Accordingly, an object moving along the conveying surface 9, upon reaching the slot, shall not be impeded, will 0o .o pass over the slot and will continue along the conveying 4I SOD surface.

In the raised position 8 the diverting member 5 protrudes above the conveying surface 9. An object passing along the conveying surface 9 will contact the diverting member 5 when it o e 0 0 reaches the slot and will be unable to pass over the slot 4.

4..0o4 The speed of the chain 6 along the slot 4 is approximately 1.4 times the speed of the conveying surface 9 and consequentialy there is no relative movement in the longitudinal 3 direction 4 *I ,,4W between an object and diverting member. There is however a transverse component of velocity and so the diverting member shall push the object sideways, off the conveying surface 9, either into a hopper or onto another conveying surface. i 8 1863k/AJG Each diverting member comprises two main parts, a mounting 10 and a diverting arm 11, pivotably secured together.

The mounting 10 is adapted to be mounted vertically on the side of a chain 6 with the diverting arm 11 pivoting about an axis parallel to the chain run. The diverting arm is pivotable through 900 between the horizontal position 7 and the upwardly extending vertical position 8.

Referring to Figs. 3a 3d the mounting 10 is substantially planar and rectangular. At one end 12 of the main body 20 are a pair of spaced holes 13, passing through the body of the mounting 10, by mean. of which the mounting may be secured to a link 14 of the chain 6. With a hollow pin chain, split clevis pins (not shown) may be inserted into the holes 13 o and internally into the hollow pins. A chain having extended o link pins may be used and the holes sized to receive the pins directly.

At the other end 15 of the mounting 10 is an extension 16 060 a o having a bore 17 passing there through. As shown in Fig. 3d 0 0G *the bore 17 is parallel to the chain run. The extension 16 has i, a.o a curved surface 18, coaxial with the bore 17, on its inner surface 19, and the main body 20 has upper faces 21 on either side of the extension 15, perpendicular to the inner face 22.

44.464 The diverting arm 11 as shown in Figs. 4a to 4d comprises a subsantially rectangular body &t having a planar inner face 23 and an outer face 24, partly angled to converge with the inner face 23. At the upper end 25 of the body 27 the inner 9- i 63k/AJG L 1 i r-LR~ a i~ and outer faces 23, 24 are joined by a curved surface 26.

At the lower end 28 of the body 27 is a cut away portion 29, adapted to receive the extension 16 of the mounting Co-axial bores 30, 31 pass through the extending portions 32, 33, thus formed, positioned such that a pin (not shown) may pass through the bore 17 of the extension 16 and the bores 31 of the arm 11, allowing the arm 11 and mounting 10 to pivot relative to each other. In the preferred form the pin comprises a split clevis pin and the bore 17 of the mounting extension 16 is slightly larger than the bores 30, 31. The 0o 0 "Ig clevis pin has a suitable diameter to securely engage the bores 00 0 0 o 30, 31 but not the bore 17 of the extension 16.

o The arm 11 and mounting 10 are joined together with the inner surfaces 23, 22 substantially co-planar, as shown in Fig.

ooo 2. The upper surfaces 21 of the mounting are perpendicular to the plane of the mounting, as are the lower surfaces 34 of the arm 11. When the arm is co-plannar with the mounting 10, these 00:. surfaces co-act to prevent arm 11 over rotating past the vertical position as shown in Fig. 2. The edge of the arm between the lower surfaces 34 and the inner surface 23 is a curved surface 35, coaxial with the bores 30, 31 which allows I the arm 11 to pivot relative to the mounting 10 between the i norizontal position 7 and vertical position 8. In the J horizontal position 7, the inner surface 23 of the arm 11 and upper surfaces 21 of the mounting 10 co-act to prevent over rotation of the arm 11 past the horizontal position 7.

1863k/AJG i To provide positive lockout of the arm 11 in the horizontal 7 and vertical 8 positions the arm 11 is provided with a spring loaded ball (not shown) which is mounted in a bore 36 provided at the lower end 28 of the arm. The mounting extension 16 is provided with a spherical depression 37 on its upper surface 33 and a like depression 39 on its inner surface 19. The spring loaded ball, when the arm is respectively vertical and horizontal is pressed into these depressions 37, 39, releasably locking the arm at those positions. The curved surface 18 on the extension 16 allows the ball to move freely o o 0 between the two depressions 37, 39, when necessary.

o\i The chain 6 and diverter members 5 are mounted in the a 0 o« slot 4 running across the conveying surface with the inner face 0:40 23 of the diverter arm 11 facing upstream. Thus, referring to Fig. 2, objects approach the diverter in the direction of the arrow 41. When an object to be diverted is detected the 0. o appropriate diverter arms are raised to the vertical position, 8 as indicated by the broken lines.

When the object contacts the diverter arm 11 it attempts to push the diverter arm 11 backwards. Relative rotation of the arm 11 and mounting 10 is prevented, as previously described, and two additional features of the preferred embodiment prevent substantial deflection. Firstly the chain 6 i runs between upper and lower guides 42, 43 preventing horizontal deflection of the chain 6. However due to the need for relatively frictionless travel of the chain 6, the I 11 21 *1 I tolerances between chain 6 and guides 42,43 allow rotation about the chain axis. To prevent this the outer surface 47 of the mounting 10 is provided with two ridges 44 parallel to the direction of movement. Upon any twisting of the chain 6 these two ridges 44 will contact the slot wall 45, preventing further rotation and damage to the arm 11 from rubbing on the slot edge 46.

o .01 040 0 0a 0 00 0 o 0I0 0 00 400 As previously mentioned, the outer surface 24 of the arm 11 converges with the inner surface 23 towards the upper edge Thus if the arm does not move fully to the horizontal position 7, the upper end 25 will not immediately protrude above the conveying surface 9. If the arm does protrude, the sloping nature of the face 24 and curved end 26 are such that an object passing along the conveying surface 9 w,,ill tend to knock the arm 11 back towards the horizontal position 7, rather than catching, raising the arm to the vertical position 8, and being erroneously diverted.

In use, the diverting members 5 normally travel across the conveying surface with the diverting arms horizontal and thus below the conveying surface 9. Unless raised, any objects passing along the conveying surface shall pass over the slot 4 and diverter members 5 without any diversion occuring.

The diverting system is provided with two sensors, (not shown) and a lifting mechanism 51 shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The lifting mechanism 51 may be selectively actuated to raise one, or a series of diverting arms 5 from the horizontal to vertical 12

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0 60 0 0 0 00 00« 0 0 0 0 Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O o 60*4 004 positions.

The objects to be Eorted are provided with a readable code, usually a bar code. A first sensor which can read the code is located upstream of the diverting structure 50. As each object passes the sensor the code is read and a control unit decides if the object is to be diverted or not. If the object is to be diverted the second sensor, located intermediate the first sensor and the diverting structure is activated. The second sensor senses the upstream and downstream edges of the object and activates the lifting member, with a suitable time delay, when the downstream edge is detected. Similarly the lifting mechanism is deactivated upon detection of the upstream edge.

The delay is such that the lifter mechansim is activated and deactivated when the downstream and upstream edges reach the line 60 in Fig. 1.

Since the speed of the chain 6 is preferably such that each diverter member 5 moves along the conveyor longitudinal direction 3 at the same speed as the object, the length of raised diverter arms 11 in the conveyor longitudinal direction 3 is at least equal to the object length in that direction.

Thus the diverter arms will contact the object along its entire length, lessening the destructiveness of the impact, Furthermore, although the object is most likely to rotate slightly, the diverter arms have a length greater along the slot direction, than the object and thus it will not rotate 13 o o a

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eoo a 6 (atl1( I f 0 0 00 ii I 0 ii 1863k/AJG :1 r: l 0 0 So e BO 0 .0 0 0 0 0 0 090 a* O0 0 S0 099* 0 0 ao a B0 4 a aI past the end of the diverter arms 11.

Since space between adjacent diverter members 5 is not required to allow rotation of the diverter arms, the diverter members are spaced closely together. This improves the minimum size of object which maybe diverted. With no gaps between diverter members the theoretical minimum size of object corresponds to approximately the size of the diverter arm 11.

In practice the size is limited by the spacing of conveying rollers 2 and the tendancy of objects to rotate when diverted.

If an object of a size corresponding to one diverter member were diverted, it is probable that the diverter arm would contact the object off centre, rotating the object, most possibly, around an edge of the arm 11 and consequentialy not diverting the object.

As shown in Fig. 1 and 5 the lifting mechansim 51 comprises a lifter plate 52 pivotable about a vertical axis 53, rotation of the plate being controlled by a pneumatically operated ram 54 between a first position 55 and a second position 56. The lifter plate 52 comprises a piece of sheet metal bent such that a first section 57 is horizontal while the second section 58 is upwardly raised in an anticlockwise circumferential direction indicated by arrow 59.

The lifter plate 52 is located just upstream of the slut 4 and at the edge of the conveyor 1 before the diverter members pass across the conveyor surface 9. In Fig. 1 the chain 6 and the diverter members 5 are not shown in the slot 4 such i i i iif: ii: ii I::r ii e-,I:r 14 1863k/AJG i i -i I_ -L r N 012472 120190 i

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1 5020 C iis I L. I -r .4I -t a oe ao 0 0 9 o 6 0 0* 0 0 00 0 9 0400 0 0 0 a o 000 *949 0 o 0000 *9 0 000000 9 4400 0 It i that one can see that the horizontal portion 57 of the lifter plate 52 always protrudes into the slot 4. The lifter plate 52 is positioned below the surface 23 of the diverter arms as shown in Fig. 2. In the first position, 55 only the horizontal section 57 of the lifter plate 52 is located under the diverter arms 11 and thus as they progress over the lift plate remain undisturbed and in their lowered position 7.

WhEn an object to be diverted is detected the pneumatic ram 54 is actuated, rotating the lifter plate 52 to the second position 56. In this position the raised portion 58 is also underneath the diverter arms 11. As the arms 11 progress along the slot 4, the lifter plate 52 progressively pivots them until when the arms 11 are at the free end 61 of the lifter plate 52 they are at the upright position 8 as indicated in Fig. 2.

While the lifter plate is at the second position 56 all diverter arms 11 passing over it will be raised, creating a barrier to the object to be diverted. By controlling the lifter plate 52 only to raise sufficient arms 11 to divert the object, the width of the conveying surface remains substantially unimpeded, allowing closer object spacing to be achieved. The lifter plate 52 has been found to be incapable of jamming on the moving diverter members 5. Since the lifter plate 52 is always underneath the diverter arms 11, as the lifter plate is rotated the arms 11 merely rotate to accommodate the raised surface. The only point of possible jamming is between adjacent diverter arms 11. However for the 15

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1863k/AJG lifter plate 52 to jam there, one of the two adjacent arms must somehow move from being above the plate to below it, which is effectively impossible. This in turn allows high speed switching of the lifting mechanism, again improving the high speed capability of the total system.

In the preferred embodiment the diverter member comprises two parts, 10 and 11. However the invention also includes a diverter member comprised of a single section. The endless member, such as a chain, could include a mounting corresponding to section 10 of the diverter member. A single section similar o 0 to section 11 would mount directly on the endless member and 00 00 a 0 o S pivot relative to it.

O 0 0 .o In a similar vein, while a mechanical lifting mechanism, with a pneumatic ram, is described, it is obvious that a 0e0 hydraulic ram or electric solenoid may be used. The entire lifting mechanism could be further modified by replacement by a 0 suitable air jet, position to "blow" the diverter members from the first to second position.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many 0 0 0 variations or modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

ii i I -16 1863k/AJG

Claims

1. A conveying system comprising: a conveying surface for conveying articles in a longitudinal direction; an endless member passing linearly beneath the conveying surface at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction; a plurality of diverter members mounted on the endless member, at least part of each diverter member pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member between a first position, wherein all of the diverter member lies beneath the conveying surface, and a second position wherein at least part of the diverter member extends above the conveying surface; means to selectively move diverter members between said first and second positions.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said diverter members comprises a first section rigidly attached to said endless member, and a second section pivotably connected to said first section.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said diverter members are detachable from said endless member.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the endless member is a chain.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the chain has hollow link pins and said diverter members have pins which resiliently engage the hollow pins.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the chain has pins extending on one side thereof, and the diverter members are 17 i id i iM1- i 1ii 1 1863k/AJG 5 1863k/AJG 1863k/SC mounted on the extending pins.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the endless member has a velocity component in the longitudinal direction equal to that of the conveying surface.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second position is at 900 to said first position.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said first position is parallel to said conveying surface. The system of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the diverter members are mounted on the downstream side of the endless member.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the endless member is located in a slot, and the downstream side of the diverter members include ridges for rubbing on the slot Oo surface.

12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the endless member is guided by guide means.

13. The system is any one of claims 2 to 12 wherein said second section, when in said first position, has an upper face extending upwardly in a downstream direction. l

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the means to selectively move said diverter members includes an actuator plate having a first section parallel to the conveying surface F and an upwardly turned second section, said actuator plate 'movable between a first position wherein only said first section is underneath the pivotable parts of the members, and a second position wherein the second section is underneath the If: pivotable parts of the members, thereby pivoting said parts to i the second position. 18 i( 2IVT* I S 1863k/SC The system of claim 14 wherein the plate is pivotable.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the plate is pivotable about a vertical axis.

17. The system of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the means for selectively moving includes electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic means.

18. The system of any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the means for moving comprise one or more air jets.

19. The system of any one of claims 1 to 18 further including sensor means for sensing articles. The system of claim 19 wherein the sensor includes a light beam and the means for selectively moving the diverter members when the light beam is interrupted by an article to be diverted. 8 b oo 21. The system of claim 19 or claim 20 further including o means for reading destination codes on the articles. oo S" 22. A diverter member for use in a diverting system 0 comprising a conveying surface and an endless member passing 000 obliquely beneath the conveying surface upon which a plurality of diverter members are mounted, the diverter member comprising: a first section; .oo0 means for mounting said first section on said endless member pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the i 0:00 endless member between a first position where the first section lies beneath the conveying surface, and a second position where S, at least part of the first section extends above the conveying surface.I sur. 19 'U L U 01i L'J 7 1863k/AJG 1863k/SC

23. The diverter member of claim 22 wherein said means for mounting comprises at least one bore in said first section, adapted to receive a shaft mounted on said endless member.

24. The diverter member of claim 22 wherein said means for mounting comprises a second section rigidly attachable to said endless member, said first section pivoting on said second section. The diverter member of claim 24 wherein said second section further includes two spaced apart bores, for receiving complementary pins extending from the endless member.

26. The diverter member of claim 24 wherein said second section further includes two spaced apart rods, for being received by complementary bores in said endless member.

27. The diverter member of claim 26 wherein the rods comprise S clevis pins.

28. The diverter member of any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein said first and second positions are at 900 to each other. 4 4 ,1 29. The diverter member of any one of claims 24 to 28 wherein at one of said positions said two sections are substantially co-planar. S 30. The diverter member of any one of claims 23 to 29 wherein 4000 Sa a the first section, when in said first position has an upper surface which reduces in height above the conveying surface in a downstream direction.

31. The diverter member of any one of claims 24 to 30 wherein S° one of said sections has means biased to engage indents on the other of said sections to releasably lock said member at said first or second position. 20 l n 1 8 1863k/AJG 1863k/SC

32. A method of diverting articles conveyed along a conveying surface, comprising: i n-} providing an endless member, moving beneath the conveying surface at an oblique anctle thereto, and having a plurality diverter members mounted thereon; sensing articles on the conveying surface to be diverted; selectively pivoting at least part of at least one diverter member about an axis substantially parallel to the endless member to position said at least part of said at least one diverter above the conveying surface; whereby articles are diverted.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein step comprises pivoting a first section of at least one diverter member.

34. The method of claim 32 or claim 33 wherein step (c) includes activating a lifting mechanism.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein activating a lifting *146 mechanism includes releasing an air jet. K

36. The method of claim 34 wherein activating a lifting mechanism comprises rotating a lifter plate to contact said first section of said diverter member.

37. The method of any one of claims 32 to 36 wherein step (b) *464 includes sensing the length of said articles in said VF' longitudinal direction.

38. The method of any of claims 32 to 37 wherein step (b) also includes reading destination codes on said articles. i -21 K QV -9- -H. 63k/AJG At 1 1863k/SC

39. The method of any one of claims 32 to 38 further including preventing transverse displacement of the member. A diverter system substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

41. A diverter member, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

42. A method of diverting articles, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. DATED this 18th day of March, 1991. DEXION (AUSTRALIA) PTY o LIMITED By Its Patent Attorneys ARTHUR S. CAVE CO. 0 4 r 0LI t 444(I 22 i .i