Pallet Checker

2:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the lift station is further configured to check the pallet for obstructions rising from the top cross boards as the pallet is transferred by the conveyor arrangement from the in-feed station to the lift station.

3:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the conveyor arrangement is operable to convey the pallet from the lift station following a lowering movement of the pallet therein to a transfer station connected to the lift station.

4:

• The pallet checker system of claim 3, wherein the transfer station is configured to transfer an acceptable pallet from the lift station to a first collection station by means of the conveyor arrangement.

5:

• The pallet checker system of claim 4, wherein the transfer station is configured to transfer an unacceptable pallet from the lift station to a second collection station spaced from the first collection station by means of a transfer arrangement which transfers the unacceptable pallet laterally of the conveyor arrangement.

6:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the in-feed station includes a first sensor arrangement and a limit switch arrangement mounted on the framework and operatively connected with the controller.

7:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the lift station includes a second sensor arrangement mounted on the framework for providing a sensor beam directed over the top cross boards of the pallet as the pallet is carried from the in-feed station to the lift station.

8:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the lift station includes a paddle arrangement pivotally mounted in the lift station, and configured to pivot upon engagement with the top cross boards of the pallet during the lifting movement.

9:

• The pallet checker system of claim 8, wherein the lift arrangement includes a third sensor arrangement mounted on the framework at a front end of the lift station for sensing a presence or absence of the paddle arrangement during the lifting movement of the pallet.

10:

• The pallet checker system of claim 9, wherein the lift station includes a fourth sensor arrangement mounted on the framework at a rear end of the lift station for sensing a presence or absence of the paddle arrangement during the lifting movement of the pallet.

11:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the lift station includes a lift arrangement mounted on the framework and having at least one movable lift plate operatively connected with a set of fingers which are engaged and disengaged with bottom surfaces of the pallet by means of an engagement cylinder arrangement connected to the lift plate.

12:

• The pallet checker system of claim 11, wherein the lift arrangement also includes a lift cylinder arrangement for raising and lowering the lift plate, the engagement cylinder arrangement and the fingers.

13:

• The pallet checker system of claim 12, wherein the lift station includes a paddle switch arrangement pivotally attached to a mounting plate arrangement and engaged and disengaged by the top cross boards of the pallet during the lifting movement, the paddle switch arrangement being operatively connected to the lift cylinder arrangement to control operation thereof.

14:

• The pallet checker system of claim 13, wherein the lift station includes a fifth sensor arrangement attached to the mounting plate arrangement for sensing a position of the paddle switch arrangement and signaling the controller to control the operation of the lift cylinder.

15:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein the lift station includes a sixth sensor arrangement mounted on the framework for providing a sensor beam used to detect the obstruction depending from the bottom cross boards during the lifting movement.

16:

• The pallet checker system of claim 1, wherein a first pallet stop is pivotally mounted on the framework at a rear end of the lift station.

17:

• The pallet checker system of claim 3, wherein a second pallet stop is pivotally mounted on the framework at a rear end of the transfer station.

19:

• The apparatus claim 18, wherein the lift station includes a lift arrangement mounted on the framework and having at least one moveable lift plate operably connected with a set of fingers which are engaged and disengaged with bottom surfaces of the pallet by means of an engagement cylinder arrangement connected to the lift plate.

20:

• The apparatus claim 19, wherein the lift arrangement also includes a lift cylinder arrangement for raising and lowering the lift plate, the engagement cylinder arrangement and the fingers.

21:

• The apparatus claim 20, wherein the lift station includes a paddle switch arrangement pivotally attached to a mounting plate arrangement and engaged and disengaged by the top cross boards of the pallet during the lifting movement, the paddle switch arrangement being operatively connected to the lift cylinder arrangement to control operation thereof.

23:

• The pallet checker system of claim 22, wherein the transfer station includes a movable ramp arrangement for selectively raising the pallet from the conveyor arrangement to enable the first transfer arrangement to move the unacceptable pallet towards the second collection station.

24:

• The pallet checker system of claim 23, wherein the transfer station includes a discharge framework provided with a second transfer arrangement for moving the unacceptable pallet from the discharge framework to the second collection station.

26:

• The method of claim 25, further including the step of:
• f) checking the pallet for obstructions rising from the top members as the pallet is transferred by the conveyor arrangement from the in-feed station to the lift station.

27:

• The method of claim 26, further including the step of:
• g) conveying the pallet from the lift station to a transfer station connected to the lift station such that an acceptable pallet is transferred by the conveyor arrangement to a first collection station, and an unacceptable pallet is transferred by a transfer arrangement mounted on the transfer station to a second collection station.