Manually-initiated synchronization apparatuses for connecting independently-driven platforms to conveying platforms for movement therewith

A method of synchronizing an independently-driven platform with a conveying platform of a conveyor, the method comprising:

• manually actuating a control mechanism thereby lowering a conveying platform engagement member from a disengaged position to an engaged position using a linear actuator, the conveying platform engagement member having a front that faces a conveying direction, a rear that faces an upstream direction and a top that is connected to the linear actuator, the front of the conveying platform engagement member including an angled portion that is oblique to horizontal;
• with the conveying platform engagement member in the engaged position, sliding the angled portion of the front over a synchronization tab of the conveying platform;
• and
• engaging a leading edge of the synchronization tab with the rear of the conveying platform engagement member such that the independently-driven platform moves with the conveying platform in the conveying direction.