# US 2014/0151187 A1 · Diverter arm for retail checkstand and retail checkstands and methods incorporating same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151187 A1 - Document ID: US20140151187A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/691,204 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: HEB Grocery Company, LP - Inventors: Nhan Thanh Phan; Craig Lewis Marquis; Ronald Andrew Wenzel; David Herschel May - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151187A1 ## CPC - B65G 47/766: {Adjustable ploughs or transverse scrapers} - A47F 9/04: Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores - A47F 9/047: {for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant} - A47F 9/048: {automatically} - G07G 1/0045: {with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader} - A47F 2009/041: {Accessories for check-out counters, e.g. dividers} - B65G 2811/0657: Deflectors - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS ## Abstract A diverter arm of a design that is configured to more effectively direct the movement of items along a retail checkstand, and checkout systems and methods incorporating such a diverter arm, are provided. In one embodiment, the diverter arm comprises an elongated block portion; an upper body portion positioned on top of the block portion substantially along its length, the upper body portion comprising at least a front face; and at least one bristle portion projecting downward from the bottom of the block portion substantially along its length. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A diverter arm comprising: an elongated block portion; an upper body portion positioned on top of the block portion substantially along its length, the upper body portion comprising at least a front face; and at least one bristle portion projecting downward from the bottom of the block portion substantially along its length. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The diverter arm of claim 1 wherein the front face of the upper body portion comprises a top section that is substantially vertical; and a bottom section that is substantially concave toward the bottom of the upper body portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The diverter arm of claim 2 wherein the top section has a height of approximately 1 inch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The diverter arm of claim 1 wherein the front face of the upper body portion is substantially convex toward the center of the upper body portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The diverter arm of claim 1 having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the distal end of the upper body portion is narrower than the proximal end of the upper body portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The diverter arm of claim 1 further comprising a caster or ball bearing positioned on a bottom face of the block portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The diverter arm of claim 6 wherein the caster or ball bearing is at least partially positioned within a cavity formed in the bottom face of the block portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The diverter arm of claim 1 wherein at least one bristle portion comprises a bristle base attached to the block portion and a downward-projecting bristle attached to the bristle base. ### Claim 9 A retail checkstand comprising: a conveyor configured to receive items; one or more item collection areas proximate to an end of the conveyor; one or more diverter arms positioned between a portion of the conveyor and one or more of the item collection areas, wherein the diverter arm comprises an elongated block portion, an upper body portion positioned on top of the block portion substantially along its length, the upper body portion comprising at least a front face, and at least one bristle portion projecting downward from the bottom of the block portion substantially along its length. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The retail checkstand of claim 9 wherein a proximal end of one or more of the diverter arms is pivotally mounted at the checkstand and each of the one or more diverter arms extends over at least a portion of the conveyor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The retail checkstand of claim 9 wherein the front face of the upper body portion of one or more of the diverter arms comprises a top section that is substantially vertical; and a bottom section that is substantially concave toward the bottom of the upper body portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The retail checkstand of claim 9 wherein the front face of the upper body portion of one or more of the diverter arms is substantially convex toward the center of the upper body portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The retail checkstand of claim 9 wherein one or more of the diverter arms comprises a proximal end and a distal end wherein the distal end of the upper body portion is narrower than the proximal end of the upper body portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The retail checkstand of claim 9 wherein one or more of the diverter arms further comprises a caster or ball bearing positioned on a bottom face of the block portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The retail checkstand of claim 9 wherein at least one bristle portion of one or more of the diverter arms comprises a bristle base attached to the block portion and a downward-projecting bristle attached to the bristle base. ### Claim 16 A method of performing retail checkout comprising: providing a retail checkstand comprising a conveyor configured to receive items; at least first and second item collection areas proximate to an end of the conveyor; one or more diverter arms positioned between a portion of the conveyor and one or more of the item collection areas, wherein the diverter arm comprises an elongated block portion, an upper body portion positioned on top of the block portion substantially along its length, the upper body portion comprising at least a front face, and at least one bristle portion projecting downward from the bottom of the block portion substantially along its length; positioning one or more of the diverter arms in a first position in which items are permitted to pass from the conveyor to a first collection area but not to a second collection area; and positioning one or more of the diverter arms in a second position in which items are permitted to pass from the conveyor to the second collection area but not to the first collection area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the front face of the upper body portion of one or more of the diverter arms comprises a top section that is substantially vertical; and a bottom section that is substantially concave toward the bottom of the upper body portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the front face of the upper body portion of one or more of the diverter arms is substantially convex toward the center of the upper body portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein one or more of the diverter arms comprises a proximal end and a distal end wherein the distal end of the upper body portion is narrower than the proximal end of the upper body portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein one or more of the diverter arms further comprises a caster or ball bearing positioned on a bottom face of the block portion.