Accumulator apparatus

An article accumulator apparatus comprising:

• a frame means (10) having spaced sides and an accumulator spaced therebetween, said frame means having an infeed end and an outfeed end;
• a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of fixed sprockets (14, 15) rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said frame, said sprockets mounted on fixed axes (24), said fixed axes space horizontally from each other between the infeed end and the outfeed end of said frame means;
• a plurality of take-up sprocket assemblies (16) slidably mounted for vertical movement on opposite sides of said frame means intermediate each of said pairs of fixed sprockets, said take-up sprocket assemblies each comprised of upper and lower vertically spaced sprockets (26, 28) rotatably mounted on a mounting member (30) which member is mounted for slidable vertical movement on opposite sides of said frame means;
• a conveyor means mounted in said accumulator space, said conveyor means including a pair of endless chain members reeved over said fixed axis and movable axis sprockets on each side of said frame in a manner to permit said pairs of fixed axis sprockets at either said infeed or outfeed end of said frame means to be rotated while the other pairs remains stationary, said conveyor means further including a plurality of gondola assemblies mounted between and supported by said endless chain members;
• and
• independently operable drive means for selectively driving one of the fixed sprockets at the infeed and outfeed ends of same frame means.