Object repositioning system
First Claim
1. An object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor, the object repositioning system comprising:
- opposed gates positioned over the conveyor and oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor;
a locking mechanism configured to lock the gates in the initial partially-closed position; and
an actuation mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism to enable the gates to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts both of the gates at the same time, wherein the gates are not motor driven and pivot only in response to forward movement of the object along the conveyor.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, an object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor includes opposed gates positioned over the conveyor and oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor, a locking mechanism configured to lock the gates in the initial partially-closed position, and an actuation mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism to enable the gates to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts both of the gates at the same time.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor, the object repositioning system comprising:
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opposed gates positioned over the conveyor and oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor; a locking mechanism configured to lock the gates in the initial partially-closed position; and an actuation mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism to enable the gates to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts both of the gates at the same time, wherein the gates are not motor driven and pivot only in response to forward movement of the object along the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor, the object repositioning system comprising:
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a pair of opposed gates mounted on pivot shafts and positioned over the conveyor, the gates being oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor; a locking mechanism associated with each gate, each locking mechanism being configured to lock its associated gate while in the initial partially-closed position; an actuation mechanism associated with each gate, each actuation mechanism being configured to release the locking mechanism of its associated gate to enable the gate to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts the gate, wherein the gates are not motor driven and pivot only in response to forward movement of the object along the conveyor; and a synchronous movement linkage to which both gates are coupled, the synchronous movement linkage being configured to control the gates so that the gates can only pivot in synchrony with each other such that when the locking mechanism of one of the gates has been released, the gate will not be able to pivot unless the locking mechanism of the other gate has also been released. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for repositioning objects, the method comprising:
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conveying objects with a conveyor toward an object repositioning system; limiting passage of the objects to an initial opening defined by opposed gates of the object repositioning system, the initial opening being narrower than a width of the conveyor; and releasing the gates when an object having a dimension greater than the width of the initial opening presses against each gate at the same time such that the gates can pivot outward under the force of the object to increase the width of the opening and enable the object to pass wherein the gates are not motor driven and pivot only in response to forward movement of the object along the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification