Sortation conveyor and crossover switch therefor

• US 7,530,441 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligrated Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intelligrated Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Zimmer, Justin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bidwell; James R
• Application Number:
  US11/448,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20070289839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 198/370.01, 198/370.02, 198/370.03
• US Class Current: 198/370.02
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/844 the article-engaging elements being pushers transversally movable on the supporting surface, e.g. pusher-shoes

Abstract

A crossover switch for a sortation conveyor has actuators that extend into the divert guide path which are operable to respond to the travel of a guide element through the path to move the switch element from one position to another.

Claims

1. A crossover switch for guiding pushers traveling in a downstream direction which have respective guide elements, said crossover switch comprising:

a. a body defining a first divert guide path and a second divert guide path, said first and second guide paths configured complementarily to said guide elements, said first and second guide paths intersecting with each other at an intersection;

b. a first actuator associated with said first divert guide path, said first actuator being moveable between a first position at which a portion of said first actuator is disposed within said first divert guide path and a second position at which there is clearance for said guide elements to pass through said first divert guide path;

c. a second actuator associated with said second divert guide path, said second actuator being moveable between a first position at which a portion of said second actuator is disposed within said second divert guide path and a second position at which there is clearance for said guide elements to pass through said second divert guide path;

d. a switch arm pivotable about a first axis between a first switch position at which said first divert guide path is blocked by said switch, and a second switch position at which said second divert guide path is blocked by said switch, said first axis being disposed downstream of said intersection; and

e. said first and second actuators being operably connected to said switch so that movement of said first actuator from its first position into its second position moves said switch into said second switch position, and that movement of said second actuator from its first position into its second position moves said switch into said first switch position.

2. A crossover switch for guiding pushers traveling in a downstream direction which have respective guide elements, said crossover switch comprising:

a. a body defining a first divert guide path and a second divert guide path, said first and second guide paths configured complementarily to said guide elements, said first and second guide paths intersecting with each other at an intersection;

b. a first actuator associated with said first divert guide path, said first actuator being pivotable about a first axis between a first position at which a portion of said first actuator is disposed within said first divert guide path and a second position at which there is clearance for said guide elements to pass through said first divert guide path, said first axis being disposed upstream of said intersection;

c. a second actuator associated with said second divert guide path, said second actuator being pivotable about a second axis between a first position at which a portion of said second actuator is disposed within said second divert guide path and a second position at which there is clearance for said guide elements to pass through said second divert guide path, said second axis being disposed upstream of said intersection;

d. a switch moveable between a first switch position at which said first divert guide path is blocked by said switch, and a second switch position at which said second divert guide path is blocked by said switch; and

e. said first and second actuators being operably connected to said switch so that movement of said first actuator from its first position into its second position moves said switch into said second switch position, and that movement of said second actuator from its first position into its second position moves said switch into said first switch position.

3. The crossover switch of claim 2, wherein said first axis and second axis are not coincident.

4. The crossover switch of claim 2, wherein said first member comprises a first distal end spaced apart from said first axis, and said second member comprises a second distal end spaced apart from said second axis, further comprising:

(a) a member having a first and second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between said first and second end, said first end being pivotably connected to said first distal end, said second end being pivotably connected to said second end, and said intermediate portion being connected to said switch.

5. The crossover switch of claim 4, wherein said switch is pivotably connected to said intermediate portion.

6. The crossover switch of claim 5, wherein said a switch is pivotable about a third axis so as to effect the movement of said switch between the first switch position and the second switch position.

7. The crossover switch of claim 2, wherein said a switch is pivotable about a third axis so as to effect the movement of said switch between the first switch position and the second switch position.

8. The crossover switch of claim 7, wherein said third axis is disposed downstream of said intersection.

9. A crossover switch for guiding pushers which have respective guide elements, said crossover switch comprising:

a. a body defining a first divert guide path and a second divert guide path, said first and second guide paths configured complementarily to said guide elements, said first and second guide paths intersecting with each other;

b. a first actuator associated with said first divert guide path, said first actuator being moveable between a first position at which a portion of said first actuator is disposed within said first divert guide path and a second position at which there is clearance for said guide elements to pass through said first divert guide path;

c. a second actuator associated with said second divert guide path, said second actuator being moveable between a first position at which a portion of said second actuator is disposed within said second divert guide path and a second position at which there is clearance for said guide elements to pass through said second divert guide path;

d. a switch moveable between a first switch position at which said first divert guide path is blocked by said switch, and a second switch position at which said second divert guide path is blocked by said switch; and

e. a member comprising

i. a first connection to said first actuator;

ii. a second connection to said second actuator; and

iii. a third connection to said switch, said third connection configured to allow relative motion between said member and said switch

so that movement of said first actuator from its first position into its second position moves said switch into said second switch position, and that movement of said second actuator from its first position into its second position moves said switch into said first switch position, where in each of said first, second and third connections allow relative movement.

10. The crossover switch of claim 9, wherein said first connection is configured to allow relative motion between said member and said first actuator.