Article diverter apparatus for use in conveyor systems

An apparatus for selectively diverting articles being conveyed on a second conveyor path to a first conveyor path, comprising:

• (a) means for diverting an article, said diverting means having an upstream end and a downstream end, said diverting means being selectively movable between an activated position and an inactivated position, wherein when said diverting means is in said activated position said diverting means is included in said first conveyor path, and wherein articles being conveyed in a first direction on said second conveyor path are received by said diverting means at said upstream end and then conveyed along said first conveyor path by said diverting means;
• and when said diverting means is in said inactivated position said diverting means is sufficiently distant from said first conveyor path not to obstruct articles of a selected maximum size being conveyed on said second conveyor path;
• and
• (b) means for selectively moving said diverting means between said activated position and said inactivated position;
• (c) track means on which said diverting means is supported, said diverting means being movable on said track means between said activated position and said inactivated position;
• wherein said diverting means comprises:
• (1) an endless belt and at least first and second pulley means engaged with said endless belt for supporting, tensioning and driving of said endless belt;
• (2) a drive shaft disposed axially through said first pulley means, operatively connected to drive said first pulley means;
• and (3) a hollow tubular shaft concentrically mounted at each end of said pulley means, said drive shaft being received in and linearly positionable in said hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being supported on said track means, whereby the non-torque load of said diverting means is not transferred to said drive shaft.