Safety switch mechanism for a conveyor system

A safety switch mechanism for use on a conveyor system, comprising:

• a mounting member adapted for attachment to an associated non-moving part of the conveyor system;
• a lever pivotally secured to the mounting member;
• a non-contact safety switch having a first switch part attached the lever and a second switch part attached to the mounting member, the safety switch having an open position where the first switch part is angularly offset from the second switch part relative to a pivot axis of the lever and a closed position where the first switch part is aligned with the second switch part;
• and
• a trigger block adapted for attachment to an associated moving part of the conveyor system,
• wherein the lever is configured as a pendulum, the lever includes a first end portion having the first switch part attached thereto and a second end portion having a balancing weight attached thereto, and in an equilibrium position of the lever the safety switch is in the open position,
• wherein the trigger block is configured to contact and pivot the lever moving the safety switch from the open position to the closed position.

A conveyor system, comprising:

• conveyor including a frame defining a guide path for a movable pusher;
• and
• a safety switch mechanism mounted to the conveyor, the safety switch mechanism including:
• a mounting member attached to the frame;
• a lever pivotally secured to the mounting member and suspended over the guide path;
• and
• a non-contact safety switch having a first switch part attached the lever and a second switch part attached to the mounting member, the safety switch having an open position where the first switch part is angularly offset from the second switch part relative to a pivot axis of the lever and a closed position where the first switch part is aligned with the second switch part;
• and
• a trigger block attached to the pusher, the trigger block configured to contact and pivot the lever as the pusher moves past the lever, and pivoting of the lever moves the safety switch from the open position to the closed position, wherein the trigger block includes an elongated contact surface for an extended contact with the lever to maintain the safety switch in the closed position for a predetermined period of time.