WO2000041956A1 - Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis - Google Patents

Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000041956A1
WO2000041956A1 PCT/US1999/002519 US9902519W WO0041956A1 WO 2000041956 A1 WO2000041956 A1 WO 2000041956A1 US 9902519 W US9902519 W US 9902519W WO 0041956 A1 WO0041956 A1 WO 0041956A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pusher
pusher element
bumper
conveyor
elements
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/002519
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul L. Black
Martin A. Heit
David W. Hawke
James W. Halsey
Allen C. Brown
Raymond R. Neiser
Original Assignee
Buschman Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to AU25868/99A priority Critical patent/AU2586899A/en
Priority to CA002372974A priority patent/CA2372974A1/fr
Application filed by Buschman Company filed Critical Buschman Company
Priority to BR9906820-6A priority patent/BR9906820A/pt
Priority to JP2000593536A priority patent/JP2002534343A/ja
Priority to PCT/US1999/002519 priority patent/WO2000041956A1/fr
Publication of WO2000041956A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000041956A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/84—Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
    • B65G47/841—Devices having endless travelling belts or chains equipped with article-engaging elements
    • B65G47/844—Devices having endless travelling belts or chains equipped with article-engaging elements the article-engaging elements being pushers transversally movable on the supporting surface, e.g. pusher-shoes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
    • B65G2207/36—Pushing shoes on conveyors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to improved pusher elements for sortation conveyors and the like, and more particularly to right-hand, left-hand, and right and left-hand divert pusher elements having improved carton lifting or ramping qualities and carton contacting bumpers of increased surface area.
  • pusher elements of the present invention may have other applications as in diverter conveyors and combiner conveyors, for purposes of an exemplary showing the pusher elements of the present invention will be described in their application to a package sortation conveyor. This is for convenience only, and is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention.
  • a sortation conveyor comprises two sets of side frame elements which are joined together by appropriate transverse braces. Most usually, the conveyor is supported on a floor by appropriate leg members.
  • the moving conveying surface of the conveyor may, for example, comprise a pair of endless chains passing about sprocket sets at the conveyor ends and powered by one of the sets of sprockets. Attached to the chains are a plurality of transverse members which constitute the actual package supporting conveyor surface.
  • the transverse members are relatively close together and may take various forms. Circular cross-section tubular members are frequently used for this purpose. Tubular or solid members having other peripheral shapes (such as slat-like members) are also frequently used.
  • the conveyor just described will have one or more side outlets on one side only, or on both sides.
  • a plurality of pusher elements are mounted on selected ones at least of the transverse members and are slideable along their respective transverse members.
  • the pusher elements travel in the same direction as the tubes or slats making up the conveyor's conveying surface.
  • the pusher elements are capable of shifting along their respective tubes or slats transversely of the conveying surface and shoving a particular package from the conveying surface through a pre-selected outlet.
  • the one or more outlets may, of course, lead to additional conveyors.
  • the pusher elements of the present invention have been shown in their application to a package sortation conveyor of the type taught and illustrated in U.S. Patent 4,71 1,341.
  • the conveying surface is made up of a plurality of transverse tubular members affixed to an endless chain at either side of the conveyor frame.
  • Each pusher element is provided with a mount that slidably engages two adjacent tubular members of the conveying surface.
  • mechanisms are provided to cause a predetermined number of pusher elements to shift at a particular position with respect to the conveyor frame, (i.e. toward a side outlet) and at a particular time, all as will be apparent hereinafter.
  • sortation conveyors are highly successful and widely used, they sometimes encounter a problem generally known in the art as "scissoring". This is usually the result of a pusher element contacting a misplaced package, the forward motion of which has been impeded for some reason. For example, the package may be caught or trapped between an actively diverting pusher element and a trailing pusher element from a previous diverting operation. Another example is found in an instance where movement of the package along with the conveying surface is impeded because the package has struck the downstream edge of a branch outlet. A package under either of these situations may be contacted by a number of successive pusher elements. This can, of course, cause damage to the package and to the pusher elements, themselves.
  • the present invention is directed to diverting pusher elements in three related embodiments.
  • the present invention contemplates left-hand diverting pusher elements, right-hand diverting pusher elements, and dual direction diverting pusher elements capable of pushing a package in a left-hand or right-hand direction.
  • the single direction left-hand and right-hand diverting pusher elements are mirror images of each other.
  • the dual directional diverting pusher element is, for the most part, a combination of the single directional pusher elements.
  • the adjacent following pusher element has, formed in its apron, a notch to receive the overlapping portion of the adjacent pusher element during its passage through the cantenary portion of the return flight of the conveyor surface so that adjacent pusher elements tend to "lock-up" to eliminate rattle.
  • These notches also provide clearance for the enlarged bumper surfaces.
  • the pusher elements are provided in three embodiments, a right-hand diverting pusher element and a left-hand diverting pusher element, each of which is a mirror image of the other.
  • the third embodiment is a dual direction diverting pusher element. This pusher element is substantially a combination of portions of the single direction pusher elements.
  • All embodiments of the pusher element have bumpers which are enlarged in height, length, and pushing surface area and which are ribbed in such a way as to prevent slippage and to urge a package downwardly against the conveying surface.
  • the ribs also soften any impact to the carton corner or side.
  • Each pusher element has a forward apron-like surface which slopes upwardly from the horizontal and, about halfway up, slopes at a steeper angle providing maximum package lifting characteristics to avoid scissoring or the like.
  • the apron surface comprises a large curved concave surface.
  • Each pusher element is provided with ribs having upwardly sloping top surfaces. These ribs strengthen the bumper mounting portion of the pusher element and also serve as lifting surfaces. The side surface of the front most rib constitutes an extension of the apron and tends to feed out-of-place cartons over the ribs. To further increase package lift characteristics, the edge of the apron adjacent a bumper is provided with a lifting relief.
  • Each of the three embodiments of pusher elements may be provided with additional features to improve performance as will be set forth hereinafter.
  • Figure 1 is a top, left side, perspective view of an exemplary prior art conveyor provided with pusher elements.
  • Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the conveyor of Figure 1, provided with pushers of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a right side, front and top perspective view of a right-hand pusher element.
  • Figure 4 is a top plan view of the pusher element of Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is an elevational view of the pusher of Figure 3 as seen from the top of Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is an elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 3 as viewed from the bottom of Figure 4.
  • Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 3, as seen from the right of Figure 4.
  • Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 3 as seen from the left of Figure 4.
  • Figure 9 is a bottom view of the right-hand pusher element of Figure 3.
  • Figure 10 is a top plan view of a left-hand pusher element of the present invention.
  • Figures 11 and 12 are plan views of right-hand pusher elements illustrating how the angle of the bumper surface to the direction of travel of the conveying surface can be changed by using wedge-shaped bumpers.
  • Figure 13 is a top, front and right side perspective view of a double-sided pusher element.
  • Figure 14 is a top plan view of the pusher element of Figure 13.
  • Figure 15 is an elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 13, as seen from the top of Figure 14.
  • Figure 16 is an elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 13, as viewed from the bottom of Figure 14, with the bumper removed.
  • Figure 17 is a front elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 13, as viewed from the right of Figure 14.
  • Figure 18 is a rear elevational view of the pusher element of Figure 13, as viewed from the left of Figure 14.
  • Figure 19 is a bottom view of the pusher element of Figure 13.
  • Figure 20 illustrates 3 adjacent left-hand pusher elements in the respective positions they would occupy along either side of the conveyer.
  • Figure 21 illustrates the relative positions of the left-hand pusher elements of
  • Figure 22 is a plan view of the double-side pusher elements in the relative positions they occupy during a transverse shift across the conveyor.
  • Figure 23 is a plan view of 3 adjacent double-sided pusher elements illustrating their relative positions located at either side of the conveyor.
  • FIGS 24A through 24D diagrammatically illustrate various parts needed to make up all 3 of the pusher elements of the present invention.
  • FIGS 25 A through 25C diagrammatically show the 3 pusher elements of the present invention, made up of the parts shown in Figures 24 A through 24D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art conveyor with pusher elements such as is taught in U.S. 4,711 ,341.
  • a main conveyor is generally indicated at 1 and is fed packages by a feed conveyor generally indicated at 2.
  • a branch conveyor is generally indicated at 3.
  • Main conveyor 1 is made up of side frame elements 4 and 5 (see also Figure 2). Side frame elements 4 and 5 may be supported by legs, two of which are shown at 6 in Figure 1. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the side frame members 4 and 5 will have transverse braces (not shown) extending therebetween.
  • conveying surface elements may constitute tubular members having a circular cross-section or slat-like members providing a flat support surface making up the conveying surface.
  • the conveying surface is made up of tubular members 8 arranged in parallel spaced relationship with their ends affixed to the chains 9 and 9a (see Figure 2).
  • FIG 1 a series of cartons are shown on the feed conveyor 2 at 10.
  • Two packages 11 and 1 la are being conveyed by conveyor surface 7 of main conveyor 1.
  • Two additional packages 12 and 13 are past the side conveyor 3 and are continuing in the direction of arrow A on the conveying surface 7 of main conveyor 1.
  • Two packages 14 and 15 have been diverted to side conveyor 3.
  • package 14 was originally located between packages 13 and 12 and was moved onto side conveyor by the set of right hand divert pusher elements generally indicated at 16.
  • a set of right hand divert pusher elements 17 have caused package 15 to be diverted onto side conveyor 3. It will be noted that the last two pusher elements of set 17 are still shifting package 15. Since neither package 12 nor 13 have been diverted, the pusher elements generally indicated at 18 and 19 across from these sets are still in their original, unshifted position along the left hand side frame 4.
  • the right side and the left side of the conveyor frame are determined when looking down the conveyor in the direction of travel of conveying surface 7.
  • side 4 is the left side of the conveyor
  • side 5 is the right side of the conveyor
  • the pushers shown in Figures 1 and 2 are single direction right hand pushers.
  • a conveyor of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 could be set up on a predetermined pattern. For example, conveyor may automatically divert every other package. On the other hand, packages may be diverted in response to signals from bar code readers. Therefore, a package will be diverted only if its bar code indicates that it should be diverted.
  • conveyor 1 is provided with appropriate switches, channels and bars which appropriately shift a series of pusher elements when needed.
  • the shifting mechanism is well known in the art and an example of such mechanism is taught in U.S. Patent 4,711,341. Additional shifting mechanism is provided for the return flight so that all of the pusher elements are in their "home" position along the left side of conveyor 1 as they start their travel along the conveying flight of conveying surface 7.
  • the main conveyor may have side conveyors extending from both of its sides.
  • dual direction diverting pusher element would be desirable.
  • Such diverter elements would be capable of diverting a package either to the right or to the left.
  • Figures 3 through 9 wherein a right hand pusher element is illustrated.
  • Figure 4 is a top plan view of the right hand pusher element generally indicated at 18.
  • the direction of movement of the conveying surface and the pusher 18 as it moves therealong, is again indicated by arrow A. Movement of pusher 18 transversely of the conveying surface is indicated by arrow B.
  • Figure 5 is a left side elevational view as seen from the top of Figure 4, while Figure 6 is a right side elevational view as seen from the bottom of Figure 4.
  • Figure 7 is a front view as seen from the right of Figure 4, while Figure 8 is a rear view as seen from the left of Figure 4.
  • the body of pusher element 18 preferably comprises an integral, one-piece, molded structure made of an appropriate plastic material such as rubber modified polypropylene.
  • the forward end of pusher element 18 has an apron 19 which faces the direction of travel A of the conveyor surface.
  • Apron 19 has a lower portion 20 and an upper portion 21 with a transition portion22 therebetween.
  • the lower portion 19 of the front apron extends approximately half way up the apron and lies at an upwardly sloping angle of about 35 degrees. Passing through the transition portion 22, the upper area 21 of apron 19 lies at an angle of about 40 degrees.
  • the arrangement is such that the apron portions 20 and 21 approximate a 13" radius rendering the apron substantially concave. It will be apparent (particularly from Figures 4 and 6) that the apron has an extended portion 23 which continues to the top of bumper support 24.
  • the apron extension 23 will lift out-of-place cartons over the bumper support 24 and the ribs 25, 26 and 27 which extend therefrom, as will be described hereinafter.
  • apron 19 extends in a large curve 31 about the left front corner of pusher element 18, passing along the left side of pusher 18 and terminating in a large curve 32 extending toward the rear of pusher element 18.
  • ribs 25 and 26 and 27 extend from the bumper support wall 24 to the horizontal surface 33, and, in part, serve as support for bumper mounting wall 24.
  • Each of the ribs 25 through 27 have a top surface which can also act as a lifting surface to lift an out-of-place carton over bumper support wall 24.
  • the bumper 34 can be affixed to bumper wall 24 in any appropriate manner.
  • bumper 34 is provided with an outer portion35 having an outer rib surface and an inner portion 36 arranged in parallel spaced relationship with outer portion 35, as shown in the bottom view of Figure 9.
  • the inner portion is connected to the outer portion of bumper 34 by webs 37, 38, 39 and 39a.
  • the outer and inner portions 35 and 36, and the webs 37, 38, 39 and 39a define vertical sockets in bumper 34.
  • bumper 34 is provided on its outer surface with ribs 47. Ribs 47 form an angle with the bottom edge of bumper 34 of about 30 degrees. The 30 degree angles open in the direction of movement of the conveying surface, again indicated at arrow A.
  • the ribs serve to cushion the impact of the bumper against a carton. The ribs also reduce carton slippage, stay clean and tend to urge the carton they contact downwardly against the conveying surface.
  • the mounting means for the pusher elements of the present invention can take any appropriate form.
  • the pusher elements can be slidably affixed to transverse tubular elements of circular cross-section or to slat-like elements. While the nature of the conveying surface and the nature of the mounts for the pusher elements of the present invention do not constitute limitations of the present invention, for purposes of a complete description the pushers of the present invention are shown provided with a mount for a conveying surface made up of transversely extending tubular members of circular cross-section. The mount is quite similar to that shown in the above- mentioned U.S. Patent 4,711,341.
  • the pusher element mount is generally indicated at 50 and is shown, for example, in Figure 6.
  • the mount comprises a molded member 51 having a central body portion 52 and a pair of oppositely directed C-shaped portions 53 and 54.
  • the C-shaped portions 53 and 54 are of a diameter to just nicely and slidably receive an adjacent pair of tubes 8 making up conveying surface 7 (see Figures 1 and 2).
  • Pusher element 18 includes on its bottom surface a downwardly extending portion 55 terminating in a metal plate 56 and located between upper portions of the C-shaped members 53 and 54. At the bottom of member 50 there is a metallic plate 57.
  • a guide pin 58 extends upwardly through washer 58a, bearing 62, spacer 72a, plate 57, the body 52 of element 50, plate 56, and portion 55 of pusher element 18, surfacing in a depression 59 surrounded by a low annular sloping surface 33b on the flat top surface 33 of pusher element 18.
  • the upper end of guide pin 58 is threaded and passes through a washer 60 and is threadedly engaged in a nut 61.
  • Guide pin 58 and nut 61 do not extend above the annular sloping surface 33b of pusher shoe 18. Adjacent metal plate 57, guide pin 58 carries an anti-friction bearing 62, spacer 62a and washer 58a, in such a way that the bottommost portion of guide pin 58 extends therebelow. Bearing 62 and the lowermost portion of guide pin 58 cooperate with the mechanism of the conveyor that shifts the pusher element 18 across the conveying surface.
  • Bolt 63 and 64 both pass through plate 57, the body 52 of mount 51, plate 56, and the portion 55 of the pusher element 18.
  • Bolt 63 extends through pusher element 18 in a depression 65 in surface 33 and is provided with a washer 66 and a nut 67.
  • bolt 64 passes through pusher element 18 in a depression 68 in horizontal surface 33.
  • the bolt 64 passes through a washer 67 and is threadedly engaged in a nut 70.
  • the bolt 63 and 64 and their nuts 67 and 70 do not extend above surface 33 of the pusher element.
  • apron 19 will extend below the top of a tube (not shown) located within C-shaped member 53.
  • the bottom surface of apron 19 is configured to substantially continue the inner surface of C-shaped element 53.
  • a series of ribs 71 substantially continue the inside curvature of C-shaped member 54.
  • C-shaped member 53 and the bottom surface of apron 18 will extend more than 180 degrees about a tube received in C- shaped portion 53.
  • C-shaped member 54 and ribs 71 will continue more than 180 degrees about a tubular member extending through C-shaped member 54.
  • the mount 50 and its pusher element will be firmly affixed to the pair of tubes and will be slidable therealong.
  • the mount and pusher element can only be affixed to and removed from the pair of tubes by sliding onto or off of the ends of the tubes.
  • that portion of skirt 19 which extends along the left side of pusher element 18 i.e. the non-divert side
  • Recesses 72 and 73 also enable that portion of apron 19 therebetween to have its bottom edge below the top surfaces of the tubes, as is clearly seen in Figure 5.
  • Figure 10 is a plan view of a left hand pusher element generally indicated at 18a. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the left hand pusher element 18a is identical to the right hand pusher 18, with the sole exception that pusher elements 18 and 18a are mirror images of each other. As a consequence, the detailed description of pusher element 18 may also serve as a description of pusher element 18a. In Figure 10, like parts have been given the same index numerals as in Figure 4, followed by "a".
  • bumpers 34 and 34a both form an angle of about 21 degrees with apron edge 28 and apron edge 28a, respectively.
  • the apron edges 28 and 28a are substantially parallel to the direction of motion of the conveying surface indicated by arrow A.
  • FIGs 11 and 12 illustrate how the angularity of the pushing surface of bumper 34 can be varied through the use of bumpers which are wedge-shaped in longitudinal cross-section.
  • a right hand divert pusher element 18b is shown in Figure 11 .
  • Pusher 18b is identical to pusher 18 with the exception that the bumper supporting wall 24 lies at an angle of 25 degrees (rather than 21 degrees) to the direction of travel of the conveyor surface.
  • Figure 11 illustrates a -5° wedge shaped bumper to provide a bumper contact surface angled at 20 degrees with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor surface.
  • Figure 12 illustrates the same pusher element with a +5° wedge-shaped bumper to provide a bumper contact surface which forms an angle of 30 degrees to the direction of travel of the conveyor surface. If desired, other angularities can be achieved in substantially the same manner. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that wedge-shaped bumpers can be used in exactly the same way with respect to left hand pusher element 18a. The same is true with respect to the dual directional pusher element, next to be described.
  • Figure 14 is a plan view of the pusher element.
  • Figure 15 is an elevational view as seen from the top of Figure 14, while Figure 16 is an elevational view as seen from the bottom of Figure 14.
  • Figure 17 is a front elevational view as seen from the right of Figure 14, while Figure 18 is a rear elevational view as seen from the left of Figure 14.
  • the dual directional pusher element is generally indicated at 74.
  • pusher 74 is provided with bumper support walls on either side of the pusher element as at 75 and 76. These walls support bumpers 77 and 78, respectively.
  • Wall 75 is supported by ribs 79, 80 and 81 which extend down to a planar surface 82 corresponding to planar surfaces 33 and 33a on the left hand and right hand diverting pusher elements 18 and 18a.
  • bumper support wall 76 is reinforced by a series of ribs 83, 84 and 85 which, again, extend to the horizontal surface 82.
  • the ribs 79, 80 and 81 slope upwardly to the top of wall 75.
  • ribs 83, 84 and 85 slope upwardly to the top of wall 76.
  • these ribs not only provide support for walls 75 and 76, but also constitute lifting members for out-of-place cartons.
  • Pusher element 74 has a front apron 86 which has a first surface portion 87 forming an angle of about 35 degrees with the horizontal. This first portion transitions smoothly into a second portion 88 which forms an angle of about 40 degrees with the horizontal so that the apron 86 demonstrates the excellent lift characteristics described with respect to the aprons of single directional pusher elements 18 and 18a.
  • apron 86 Since there are bumpers 77 and 78 on each side of pusher element 74, apron 86 has two extensions 89 and 90 on both sides of the pusher element.
  • the extension 89 is similar to extension 23a of Figure 10.
  • the extension 90 is similar to the extension 23 of Figure 4.
  • apron 86 ends in two edges 91 and 92. Edges 91 and 92 are provided with reliefs 93 and 94, respectively. Relief 93 is equivalent to relief 29a of Figure 10, while relief 94 is equivalent to relief 29 of Figure 4, reliefs 93 and 94 serve the same purpose as reliefs 29a and 29.
  • apron 86 has a pair of notches 95 and 96 formed therein. Notches 95 and 96 are equivalent to notches 30a and 30 of Figures 10 and 4. Again, the purposes of these notches will be apparent hereinafter.
  • the pusher 74 may be provided with any appropriate mount, depending upon the nature of the conveying surface (i.e. tubes, slats, or the like). Again, for purposes of an exemplary showing, the pusher 74 is shown provided with the same mount as pusher 18. To this end, like parts of the mount have been given the same index numerals. It will again be noted from Figures 15 and 16 that the pusher element 74 is so configured that tubes located within C-shaped members 53 and 54 will be surrounded by more than 180 degrees requiring mounting and dismounting of pusher element 74 from the ends of the tubes of the conveyor surface. It will be noted from Figure 14, for example, that the surface 82 has depressions 95, 96 and 97a formed therein.
  • the depression 95 in surface 82 is surrounded by a low annular sloped area 82a, and accommodates guide pin 58, nut 61 and washer 60.
  • Depression 96 accommodates bolt 64, washer 69 and nut 70.
  • depression 97a in planar horizontal surface 82 accommodates bolt 63, washer 66 and nut 67.
  • Guide pin 58 and its nut 61, bolt 63 and its nut 67 and bolt 64 and its nut 70 do not extend above horizontal surface 82.
  • the bottom of pusher element 74 is provided with appropriate reinforcing ribs. If it is decided to provide a mount usable with a slat, rather than a pair of tubular members, the bottom of pusher 74 will have to be modified accordingly.
  • bumper 78 has been removed.
  • Figures 13 through 19, and 22 and 23 an alternate and preferred bumper mounting system is illustrated. It will be apparent that the new bumper mounting system could be applied to both the left hand diverting pusher element and the right hand diverting pusher element in the very same manner that it is applied to the dual diverting pusher element 74.
  • Wall 76 has formed near its upper surface a series of dovetail notches 97. Below the bottom of notches 97, wall 76 is recessed rearwardly as at 76a. In front of the recessed portion 76a there are a series of tabs or hangers 98, 99 and 100.
  • Bumper 78 has dovetailed lugs 101 received in the dovetail notches 97.
  • the dovetailed lugs 101 cooperate with the dovetailed notches 97 to resist downward movement of the bumper and to resist movement of the bumper away from wall 76.
  • the lower portion of bumper 78 is of a thickness to extend all the way back to the recessed portion 76a of wall 76 and is provided with vertical slots 102, 103 and 104 to receive tabs 98, 99 and 100, respectively.
  • bumper 77 is attached to pusher element 74 by the same attachment system. In fact, it is within the scope of the invention to apply bumpers similar to bumpers 77 and 78 both to the right hand diverting pusher element and the left hand diverting pusher element, using the same mounting system as just described.
  • FIG. 19 shows a plurality of reinforcing ribs and supports the mount 50. It will be understood that the bottom of pusher element 74 may be appropriately modified to cooperate with other types of mounts, such as those used with a conveyor having a conveying surface made up of slats.
  • Figure 20 illustrates three left hand pushers 18a in a row as they would line up in their unshifted or home position along the right side of a conveyor. They would line up in an identical manner on the left side of the conveyor, having been shifted across the conveying surface.
  • Figure 21 shows the same left hand pushers as they would be aligned during a pushing operation.
  • the rearward end of bumper 34a overlies the notch 30a in apron 19a.
  • the rearward ends of bumpers 34a do not extend into notches 30a since the rearward ends of bumpers 34a are higher than the adjacent apron 19a.
  • the conveyor surface and pusher elements pass through a cantenary section wherein the conveyor surface is suspended in a relatively shallow reverse curve to take up slack. While in the reverse curve, the rearward ends of bumpers 34a will enter the clearance notch 30a of the following bumper element, engaging the bumper element in its clearance notch. This eliminates the rattling sound usually associated with a cantenary section and the provision of the clearance notches 30a also enables the bumper surface to be maximized. It will be understood that the right hand pusher 18 of Figure 4 would align, mirror image fashion, in exactly the same way as illustrated in Figures 20 and 21. The rearward ends of bumpers 34 would cooperate with clearance notches 30 in precisely the same way, when passing through the cantenary section.
  • Figure 22 illustrates three of the dual directional pusher elements 74 arranged as they would be during a left hand pusher operation, with bumpers 77 aligned. If the pusher elements 74 were used for a right side pusher operation, their bumpers 76 would be aligned.
  • Figure 23 illustrates the dual direction pusher elements 74 in their normal, unactuated alignment, which could be along either side of the conveyor. It will be noted that, in this alignment, the rearward ends of bumpers 77 and 78 overlie the adjacent clearance notches 95 and 96 of the succeeding pusher element. As in the case of the single direction pusher elements of Figures 20 and 21, the ends of bumpers 77 and 78 are spaced upwardly away from their respective notches 95 and 96 when the dual direction pusher elements 74 travel along the upper flight of the conveyor.
  • Figure 24A is a simplified, diagrammatic illustration of the pusher portion 105 of a left hand pusher element.
  • Figure 24B is a simplified diagrammatic illustration of the pusher portion 106 of a right hand pusher element.
  • Figure 24C is a simplified diagrammatic representation of the non-divert portion 107 of a right hand pusher element.
  • Figure 24D is a simplified diagrammatic representation of the non-divert portion 108 of a left hand pusher element.
  • Figure 25 A is a simplified diagrammatic plan view of a dual direction pusher element 74 (see Figure 14).
  • Figure 25B is a simplified diagrammatic plan view of a left hand pusher element 18a (see Figure 10).
  • Figure 25C is a simplified diagrammatic view of a right hand pusher element 18 (see Figure 4).
  • Figure 25A constitutes the combination of part 105 of Figure 24 A and part 106 of Figure 24B.
  • the structure of Figure 25B comprises a combination of the parts 105 of Figure 24 A and 108 of Figure 24D.
  • Figure 25C comprises the combination of part 107 of Figure 24C and part 106 of Figure 24B.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Special Conveying (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des éléments pousseurs (18) de déviation ou de bifurcation d'un transporteur de triage et d'autres transporteurs adéquats. Les éléments pousseurs (18) de déviation se composent d'un élément pousseur de déviation à droite et d'un autre élément de déviation à gauche, placés en symétrie l'un par rapport à l'autre ainsi que d'un élément pousseur de bifurcation qui est essentiellement le résultat de la combinaison de parties des éléments de dérivation à gauche et à droite. Les éléments pousseurs sont dotés d'amortisseurs (34) de colis dont la hauteur, la longueur et la surface de pousse sont agrandies pour réduire le glissement et augmenter la précision de pousse. Chaque élément pousseur présente une surface de glisse ayant des zones supérieure et inférieure (20, 21). La zone inférieure (20) est inclinée vers le haut selon un angle inférieur à celui horizontal de la zone supérieure (21) pour conférer au transporteur des caractéristiques optimales d'élévation de colis. La surface supérieure de chaque élément pousseur est dotée de nervures inclinées vers le haut (25, 26, 27) renforçant le système de montage des amortisseurs et servant aussi à élever les surfaces.
PCT/US1999/002519 1998-01-09 1999-01-12 Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis WO2000041956A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU25868/99A AU2586899A (en) 1999-01-12 1999-01-07 Pusher elements for package sortation conveyor
CA002372974A CA2372974A1 (fr) 1998-01-09 1999-01-07 Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis
BR9906820-6A BR9906820A (pt) 1998-01-09 1999-01-12 Elemento impulsor para um transportador de triagem ou separação de pacotes de pacotes e outros transportadores apropriados
JP2000593536A JP2002534343A (ja) 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 小包分類コンベア用プッシャ要素
PCT/US1999/002519 WO2000041956A1 (fr) 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1999/002519 WO2000041956A1 (fr) 1999-01-12 1999-01-12 Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000041956A1 true WO2000041956A1 (fr) 2000-07-20

Family

ID=22272129

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/002519 WO2000041956A1 (fr) 1998-01-09 1999-01-12 Elements pousseurs pour transporteurs de triage de colis

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2002534343A (fr)
AU (1) AU2586899A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000041956A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1020825C2 (nl) * 2002-06-11 2003-12-17 Vanderlande Ind Nederland Transportinrichting met langs dragers verschuifbare duwschoenen.
WO2003076310A3 (fr) * 2002-03-07 2004-02-19 Rapistan Sys Advertising Corp Dispositif de tri a deplacement positif
WO2005012146A1 (fr) * 2003-08-01 2005-02-10 Dematic Corp. Patin de trieuse a deplacement positif
EP1834906A2 (fr) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-19 Daifuku Co., Ltd. Appareil de convoyage
US7506744B2 (en) 2005-03-28 2009-03-24 Daifuku Co., Ltd. Changeover system
CN101037161B (zh) * 2006-03-15 2012-05-23 株式会社大福 输送设备
WO2023069562A3 (fr) * 2021-10-19 2023-06-08 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Patin à rouleaux et convoyeur à trieuse à lattes

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8602201B2 (en) * 2012-02-28 2013-12-10 Cinetic Sorting Corp. Releasable shoe and method for shoe sorter

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4711341A (en) * 1984-11-27 1987-12-08 The E. W. Buschman Company Package sortation conveyor

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4711341A (en) * 1984-11-27 1987-12-08 The E. W. Buschman Company Package sortation conveyor

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003076310A3 (fr) * 2002-03-07 2004-02-19 Rapistan Sys Advertising Corp Dispositif de tri a deplacement positif
US7117988B2 (en) 2002-03-07 2006-10-10 Dematic Corp. Positive displacement sorter
US7513356B2 (en) 2002-03-07 2009-04-07 Dematic Corp. Positive displacement sorter
NL1020825C2 (nl) * 2002-06-11 2003-12-17 Vanderlande Ind Nederland Transportinrichting met langs dragers verschuifbare duwschoenen.
US6910567B2 (en) 2002-06-11 2005-06-28 Vanderlande Industries Nederland B.V. Conveyor system with push shoes moveable alongside the supports
EP1371584A3 (fr) * 2002-06-11 2007-06-13 Vanderlande Industries Nederland B.V. Système de convoyage avec des patins pousseurs coulissant le long des supports
WO2005012146A1 (fr) * 2003-08-01 2005-02-10 Dematic Corp. Patin de trieuse a deplacement positif
US7506744B2 (en) 2005-03-28 2009-03-24 Daifuku Co., Ltd. Changeover system
EP1834906A2 (fr) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-19 Daifuku Co., Ltd. Appareil de convoyage
EP1834906A3 (fr) * 2006-03-15 2008-09-03 Daifuku Co., Ltd. Appareil de convoyage
CN101037161B (zh) * 2006-03-15 2012-05-23 株式会社大福 输送设备
WO2023069562A3 (fr) * 2021-10-19 2023-06-08 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Patin à rouleaux et convoyeur à trieuse à lattes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002534343A (ja) 2002-10-15
AU2586899A (en) 2000-08-01

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