Conveyor systems for diverting objects
First Claim
1. A conveyor system comprising:
- a conveyor belt having a plurality conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt advances; and
a roller drive mechanism including;
a plurality of rotatable cartridges, each cartridge having a cartridge gear and a freely rotatable drive roller that engages the conveyor belt rollers from below the conveyor belt;
a plurality of actuator gears, each engaged with one of the cartridge gears, to rotate the cartridges to change the orientations of the rotatable drive rollers with respect to the conveyor belt rollers; and
an actuator configured to move the plurality of actuator gears to rotate the cartridges between a first orientation in which the engagement between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt rollers causes the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first direction as the conveyor belt advances and a second orientation in which the engagement between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt rollers causes the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in an opposite second direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges and rack gears engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers to drive them in selectively opposite angular directions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A conveyor system comprising:
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a conveyor belt having a plurality conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt advances; and a roller drive mechanism including; a plurality of rotatable cartridges, each cartridge having a cartridge gear and a freely rotatable drive roller that engages the conveyor belt rollers from below the conveyor belt; a plurality of actuator gears, each engaged with one of the cartridge gears, to rotate the cartridges to change the orientations of the rotatable drive rollers with respect to the conveyor belt rollers; and an actuator configured to move the plurality of actuator gears to rotate the cartridges between a first orientation in which the engagement between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt rollers causes the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first direction as the conveyor belt advances and a second orientation in which the engagement between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt rollers causes the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in an opposite second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A conveyor system comprising:
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a conveyor belt having a plurality conveyor belt rollers arranged to rotate on fixed axes aligned in a direction of belt travel; a carryway pan underlying the conveyor belt and having a plurality of openings; a plurality of cartridges rotatably supported in the openings, each cartridge including a freely rotatable drive roller retained in position to engage the conveyor belt rollers from below the conveyor belt and a cartridge gear disposed below the carryway pan; an array of actuator gears positioned to engage the cartridge gears; an actuator coupled to the array of actuator gears to actuate the gears to rotate the cartridges and change the angle of engagement between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt rollers. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A conveyor system comprising:
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a conveyor belt advancing longitudinally in a direction of belt travel and having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers arranged in lateral rows and longitudinal columns and rotatable on fixed longitudinal axes; a roller drive mechanism underlying the conveyor belt, including; a support plate having a plurality of openings arranged in columns aligned with the columns of conveyor belt rollers; a plurality of cartridges rotatably received in the openings and having cartridge gears and drive rollers supported in position to engage the conveyor belt rollers; a movable gear plate having a plurality of actuator gears, each engaged with one of the cartridge gears to rotate the cartridges and the drive rollers as the gear plate is moved. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification