US3091324A - Package sorter - Google Patents

Description

May 28, 1963 R. G. BROWN ETAL PACKAGE SORTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1961 M O 3 J ,M m H BY ,1 6 a %%M K fiogwm ATTORNEYS May 28, 1963 R. 6. BROWN ETAL PACKAGE SORTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1961 INVENTOR 5 Ha raid diosenbrry W ATTORNEYS May 28, 1963 R. G. BROWN ETAL 3,091,324

PACKAGE SORTER Filed April 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fabertflfirowm BY g yg ATTORNEYS This invention relates to improvements in code devices and sorting equipment controlled thereby.

The J. Rabinow et al. US Patent No. 2,901,089 discloses a mechanical code system having a stationary code means composed of code bars, and a movable code assembly which cooperates therewith. The movable code assembly has a shaft provided with a number of wheels which ride on the code bars. When the particular setting of the wheels on the shaft matches the arrangement of code bars, the codes coincide allowing the wheels and their shaft to lower a slight amount. The amount of lowering is suificient to cause an output to be generated, for instance, the opening of a door as shown in the Rabinow patent.

The code wheels in the Rabinow patent are adjustable longitudinally of their supporting shaft. Two positions are normally employed, these representating binary 1 and binary positions. Our invention uses code elements, for instance, wheels, and they are adjustable to selected positions, for instance, such positions as to represent binary l and binary 0. However, instead of adjustably sliding the wheels on a single shaft, we have provided independent spindles for each wheel. These spindles are rotatable 180 to displace the code wheels from one side of the spindle axis to the other, thereby establishing the binary l and binary 0 positions.

An advantage of our arrangement is that of simplification of some of the equipment used for setting and resetting the code wheels. For example, we require only two stationary pins which cooperate with a T-shaped dog on each spindle to reset a code wheel to a predetermined starting position. Moreover, a pair of pins capable of being projected into the path of travel of the spindle-supported dogs are all that are required to set the wheel to a coded position. The wheel setting and resetting sim plification represents a distinct improvement over corresponding equipment that is required for setting and resetting a group of wheels which are axially adjustable on a single shaft.

Our movable code device may be used to traverse horizontal code bars as shown in the I. Rabinow et al. patent. In addition, we have found it practical to assign an additional function to our movable code device. It may be held captive in the code bars by constructing the code bars as tracks in which the code wheels are held captive until the codes of the wheels and tracks (established by openings in the tracks) match. Thus, our movable code device may be directly connected With the article support of a sorter, and the movable code device made to separate from the stationary code means when the codes match. A package sorter with the movable code device secured to the sorting pocket, table, etc., is an example of one type of sorting equipment which may advantageously use a code system as a part of the sorting machine.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a sorter which is particularly useful in sorting packages of different size and shape, and which relies on a package-escort code device normally constrained by a stationary code device, and separable from the stationary code device upon coincidence of the codes. Upon separation of the movable code device from the stationary code device, the package (or the like) carried by the article support may be discharged from the conveyor sys- 3&91324 Patented May 28, 1963.

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tem in many ways, one being to have the package-support tilt (with the movable code device tilting therewith) to unload the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a code system which may be used as a remote memory to control one or more machines, e.g. sorters, or which may be used as an integral part of the machine which it controls.

Other objects and features of importance will be apparent in following the description of the illustrated embodiment and features of our invention.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a movable code device illustrating a feature of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view showing one of the code elements about to be adjusted to a predetermined position by a Wheel resetter.

FIGURE 2a is a diagrammatic perspective view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the code element in the process of being adjusted.

FIGURE 2b is a diagrammatic perspective View showing the adjustment of the code element completed.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the device in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic side elevational view of a sorter using the code device of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view of a sorting machine like that of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4 and showing one way of retaining the movable code device engaged with the stationary code device.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 4 and showing the code element setter, this view also including a fragmentary, schematic wiring diagram showing the means for operating selected code element setters.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing another use of our movable coded device.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the code assembly in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic view showing our memory device used remotely to control one or more machines.

FIGURES 1 and 3 show movable code device 10 which cooperates with a stationary code device, for instance the tracks shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, the bars shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 or other equivalent devices. Code device 10 is constructed as an elongate member 11 supporting any practical number of spindles, for instance spindles 12, 14, 16 and 18. Member 11 is preferably hollow, e.g. of box-beam construction, although this is not a necessary configuration. Spindles 1218 have their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of member 11, and they are capable of being rotationally adjusted to selected positions.

' Each spindle, for instance, spindles 12, 14, 16 and 18 (FIGURES 2-2b)' have code elements 20, 22, 24 and 26 respectively at one end. It is preferred that the code elements be wheels. A typical code element 20 is mounted by an offset device, for instance, a lateral shaft 28 secured to spindle 12 so that the plane of the wheel is laterally spaced from the axis of the spindle. Spindle 12 extends through a pair of aligned openings in opposing walls of member 11, and there are means, for instance, thrust collars 3d secured to spindle 30 for preventing the spindle from separating from member 11 but allowing it to rotate.

A detent 32 on each spindle requires that the spindles be turned for each step of rotational operation. The illustrated detent 32 is given by way of example only, it being understood that any conventional detent may be substituted for illusrated detent. Detent 32 has resilient strips 33 and 34 and flexible metal bearing plates 35 and 36 in the cavity of member 11, which are common to all of the spindles. Detent cams 38 are secured to the individual spindles. The operation of the illustrated detent is as follows: As the typical spindle 12 turns about its longitudinal axis, the cam 38 bears against strips 35 and 36 and compresses the strips 33 and 34. As the spindle continues to be rotated the diagonal dimension of the cam is passed, and the compressive-force energy stored in the strips 33 and 34, snaps the cam to its next position.

As previously discussed, one of the features of the movable code device is the simplicity of the means required to reset all of the code devices to a predetermined initial position. For the purposes of explanation assume that this position is that of spindle 14 and code element 22 (FIGURE 1). Further assume that the movable code device approaches a resetting station in a machine with the code element turned 180, as shown in FIGURE 2. It is assumed, for the purpose of explanation, that some code Wheels, e.g. 20 and 24 are in the set position, and code wheel 22 is in the reset position. The resetting mechanism is composed of two spaced pins 42 and 44 (or other abutments) which cooperate with a T-shaped dog 46 secured to the outer end of spindle 12 (FIGURE 2). Pins 42 and 44 are located in the path of travel on one leg, e.g. leg 47, of the dog. As the spindle moves in the direction of the arrow, leg 47 strikes pin 42 causing the spindle 12 to be turned 90 (as shown in FIGURE 2a. Then leg 48 will become located between pins 42 and 44. Continued movement of the spindle 12 in the direction of the arrow (by physical displacement of the entire code device 10) will cause leg 48 to strike pin 44 and turn the spindle 12 about its axis another 90. Thus, spindle 12 will become adjusted to a position or orientation similar to that of spindle 14 (FIGURE 1). If the code wheel is already in the reset position when it approaches pins 42 and 44, the dog 46 will simply by-pass the pins (FIGURE 2b).

It is customary in most code systems to reset all code elements to a known position prior to adjusting the code elements to a predetermined code. The setting of the code elements is achieved practically as simply as the resetting thereof. FIGURE 7 shows one of numerous ways to set a code for the movable code device 10. There are two spaced pins 52 and 54 attached to a rocker 56. The rocker is mounted pivotally on a support 58 and is operated by a solenoid 60. Consequently, the pins 52 and 54 may be retracted from the path of travel of one of the dogs 46 or project it into the path of travel thereof depending on Whether or not a given code element is to be adjusted to the set position (FIGURE 212) from the reset position (FIGURE 2). We have shown a simple circuit 62 composed of a source 63 of potential, and individual switches 64, 65, etc., to energize selected solenoids 60, only one of which is shown. Of course, there will be a separate set of pins 52, 54, rocker 56 and solenoid 60 for each code wheel and spindle.

The preceding description relates to the movable code device 10, the wheel setting mechanism (FIGURE 7) and the wheel resetter (FIGURE 2). These may be used with a variety of stationary code devices and in many machines. One of the features of the movable code device 10 is that it may become physically separated from the stationary code device, for instance to unload an article in an article sorter conveyor system. On the other hand, the movable code device (FIGURES 8 and 9) may follow a fixed or stationary code device in a manner similar to that described in the I. Rabinow et al. patent.

We have illustrated an article sorting machine 66 employing movable code device 10 on what we believe to be a unique stationary code device 68 (FIGURES 4 and The sorter 66 is well-suited for packages and other articles A of varying size and shape. It is composed of a main frame 70 whose lower part 71 (FIGURE 5) indirectly supports a conveyor chain 72, or it may rest on a surface of the frame. The chain is driven by one or more drive sprockets 73 having a power input device 74 connected thereto. A number of carriages 76 are attached to the conveyor chain '72. Each carriage has a base physically secured to the chain 72 and a spindle 78 hingedly supporting a tray 80 for articles A. Movable code device 10 is fixed for hinged movement with the tray, and its normal operating position is at a slight angle to a vertical plane (FIGURE 5).

Stationary code device 68 consists of a plurality of parallel tracks, for instance tracks 81, 82 and 83 having groups of code openings 87, 88, 89 in their front walls. Each track is hollow and has a slot 84 in its front face. The spindles extend through the slots 84, and the code wheels, e.g. wheel 20 in FIGURE 6, ride on the inner surface of the front walls of the tracks. This arrangement of wheels in the tracks holds the code device 10 connected to the code device 68. When the codes match Le. a given setting of spindles and wheels and openings 87, 88, 89 (FIGURE 4) in the front walls of the tracks coincide, the code device 10 is free to separate from code device 68 as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 5. Since the tray 80 tilts with the code device 10, the article A will slide therefrom.

After separation of the code device '10 from code device 68, the tray and device 10 remain tilted (as shown in FIGURE 5) until a re-entrance station is approached. Such a station is shown at the left of FIGURE 4 and consists of entrances 90, 91 and 92 in the tracks having tapered throats to more easily receive the shanks of the spindles into the trackage of the code device 68. The lifting of the code device from the dotted line position of FIGURE 5 to the full line position of the same figure may be achieved in any way, and we have chosen to show a stationary cam 93 which causes the code device 10 to swing up to enter the wheels into the track system.

Shortly after the re-entry of the code device 10, the code wheels are reset to a known condition by engaging the pairs of pins 42, 44 as shown in FIGURE 2. The pins are secured to a hanger 75 (FIGURE 4) on frame 70 adjacent to the code device 68 and in the path of travel of the legs of the dogs 46. As the code device 10 progresses further along code device 68, the selected spindles and their code elements are adjusted (FIGURE 7) to set up a given code. The means for achieving this (FIGURE 7) have been described, and the location is shown in FIGURE 4. It is pointed out that the code setting circuit 62 may be operated by any suitable device, e.g. manually, by a memory, a computer, etc.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show that our movable code device 10 may be used in connection with various types of stationary code devices. Thus, stationary code device 6811 is made of bars similar to the corresponding stationary bars disclosed in the J. Rabinow et al. patent. Movable code device 10a is attached to a conveyor (not shown) or the like, and is moved therewith. In this application of our code device, the matching of the codes will enable code device 10a to drop a short distance. Just as in the J. Rabinow et al. patent, this movement is, or provides, a mechanical output signal signifying coincidence of the codes. FIGURE 9 shows that for a horizontally moving code device 10a the spindle and wheel setting pins 52a and 54a will be positioned for movement in a vertical plane and the same holds true for the resetting pins (not shown).

FIGURE 10 shows a typical use of our invention as a remote memory device to control one or more machines 92. For remote use we have a separate frame 94 supporting an endless conveyor 96 with which arms such as 18 or 10a are connected. These operate in conjunction with stationary code means (not shown) similar to 68 or 68a connected with frame 94. The movement of conveyor 96 is synchronized with machine 92, e.g. by a mechanical drive 98 connecting the conveyor shaft 96a with a suitable rotating part of machine 92.

We have previously indicated that the control signals generated by the matching of the movable and stationary code means, may be mechanical as shown in the Rabinow et al. patent, or electrical. For the electrical alternative, it is only necessary to have the code-match motion of the movable code means operate circuit controlling switches (not shown herein) as in the Rabinow Patent No. 3,070,213. The circuits are schematically represented as line 100 operatively connecting remote memory device 90 with machine 92 and line 102 available for controlling other machines (not shown).

We have illustrated and described various combinations and sub-combinations of our invention. All changes, modifications and alterations which fall Within the scope of the following claims may be resorted to.

We claim:

1. A code device for an article conveyor system, said device comprising a first code means, a second code means, said second code means including a member, a plurality of code elements contacting said first code means, means rotatably connecting said code elements to said member for adjustment to selected code positions, said connecting means for one of said code elements including a spindle, and means mounting said one element to one side of said spindle so that said element assumes different positions when said spindle is rotated to different positions.

2-. The code device of claim 1 wherein said code elements are wheels.

3. The code device of claim 2 wherein said first code means include elongate members engaged by said wheels and having openings through which the wheels are adapted to move when the code setting of the wheels matches the pattern of openings.

4. The device of claim 3 and detent means to establish definite positions for said spindle and consequently its wheel when said spindle is adjusted.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said first code means include tracks set at an angle to a vertical reference plane, said elements being longitudinally movable with respect to said tracks and held captive therein, and said tracks having code openings to enable said elements to escape from said tracks when the coded positions of said elernents match said openings.

6. A movable code device adapted to cooperate with another code device, said movable code device including a member, a plurality of spindles rotatively adjustably secured to said member, offset code elements secured to said spindles, said code elements being offset from the axes of said spindles, and means to rotationally adjust selected spindles to correspondingly adjust the position of selected code elements, thereby establishing a code.

7. A code device comprising a first code means including a plurality of stationary rails provided with code openings, a member, means to move said member longitudinally of said rails, a plurality of wheels, means pivotally connecting said wheels to said member for adjustment about axes substantially normal to said member so that said wheels are adjustable to selected code positions, means to establish said positions, and said member being movable in a direction transversely of said rails when said code wheels and the openings of said first code means match.

8. An article conveyor system including the code device of claim 7 and an article support movable with said member in both of said directions.

9. In a code device having a first code means, a second code means movable relative to said first means to seek a match f r sa d second code means, said second code means including a movable member, a plurality of spindles rotatively connected with said member. code elements contacting said first code means during at least a portion of the movement of said member, said code elements connected to said spindles to one side of the spindle axes, so that when said spindles are rotated the code elements are displaced from one side of the spindle axes to the other.

10. The code device of claim 9 and means connected to each spindle for setting said code elements to a predetermined position by rotation of only those spindles required to be rotated to set said elements to said position.

11. In a code device for a conveyor system, a member, and means mounting said member for movement in a constrained path, at least one spindle, means rotatively connecting said spindle to said member for rotational adjustment to stepped positions about an axis of rotation, detent means engaging said spindle to releasably retain said spindle in each rotational stepped position, a code element, means connecting said code element to said spindle and retaining said code element in a plane which is substantially parallel to and laterally spaced from said axis so that rotational adjustments of said spindle place said code element in different code positions always to the side of said spindle and corresponding to the stepped positions of said spindle, and a code means interrogated by said code element of said spindle by contact with the same as said member is moved in said constrained path.

12. The code device of claim 11 and means to rotate said spindle to said stepped positions, the last-mentioned means including a dog attached to said spindle and having a plurality of legs adapted to rotate said spindle when engaging abutments in the path of movement thereof as said member is moved in its constrained path.

13. In a conveyor system, a code device having a member, means to move said member in a constrained path, a fixed code means having code surfaces adjacent to said member during at least a portion of the movement of said member, a plurality of code elements arranged to interrogate said fixed code means by contacting said code surfaces, a spindle for each code element, means mounting said spindles on said member for rotational adjustment, means connecting a said code element to each spindle to the side of each spindle so that the code element is offset from the axis of rotational adjustment of said spindle, code setting means including a dog attached to each spindle, abutment means adjacent to said member and movable into the path of travel of said dog as said member is moved in said constrained path thereby setting the code of one code element by the rotation of its spindle due to the engagement and movement of said dog, said setting of said code resulting from the transposition of said element to a new offset position with the rotation of its spindle.

14. The subject matter of claim 13 wherein said dog is provided with a plurality of legs which project outwardly of the aXis of rotation of the spindle to which it is attached, and code resetting means including abutment means in the path of travel of said leg-s to reset said spindle and its code element to a predetermined position as said member moves past said code resetting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,901,089 Rabinow et al. Aug. 25, 1959 2,967,603 Kloss Jan. 10, 1961 2,980,235 Mittag et a1. Apr. 18, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 738,074 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1955 125,186 Russia Apr. 13, 1959

Claims (1)

11. IN A CODE DEVICE FOR A CONVEYOR SYSTEM, A MEMBER, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT IN A CONSTRAINED PATH, AT LEAST ONE SPINDLE, MEANS ROTATIVELY CONNECTING SAID SPINDLE TO SAID MEMBER FOR ROTATIONAL ADJUSTMENT TO STEPPED POSITIONS ABOUT AN AXIS OF ROTATION, DETENT MEANS ENGAGING SAID SPINDLE TO RELEASABLE RETAIN SAID SPINDLE IN EACH ROTATIONAL STEPPED POSITION, A CODE ELEMENT, MEANS CONNECTING SAID CODE ELEMENT TO SAID SPINDLE AND RETAINING SAID CODE ELEMENT IN A PLANE WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND LATERALLY SPACED FROM SAID AXIS SO THAT ROTATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS OF SAID SPINDLE PLACE SAID CODE ELEMENT IN DIFFERENT CODE POSITIONS ALWAYS TO THE SIDE OF SAID SPINDLE AND CORRESPONDING TO THE STEPPED POSITIONS OF SAID SPINDLE, AND A CODE MEANS INTERROGATED BY SAID CODE ELEMENT OF SAID SPINDLE BY CONTACT WITH THE SAME AS SAID MEMBER IS MOVED IN SAID CONSTRAINED PATH.

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