Tilting tray package sorting apparatus
AssigneeUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc.
InventorHenri Bonnet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic system for sorting items, such as small parcels, into groups bound for different geographical locations is described. The system includes a carriage for traveling along a track, the carriage having an adjustment feature such that it may continuously be held against the track. The carriage also provides a tilt tray in which packages are presented on a convex surface. The convex surface causes the package to be destabilized, so they may be quickly discharged from the tilt tray.
Claims20
An apparatus for transporting objects, comprising:
- a track;
- and
- a carriage for moving along the track and transporting the objects, the carriage comprising:
- a frame;
- a first bearing assembly linked to the frame and for engaging a first side of the track;
- a second movable bearing assembly positioned between the frame and a second side of the track;
- a slack control device positioned to bias the second bearing assembly against the track;
- and
- a cam defining a camming surface, the cam operatively associated with the slack control device, the camming surface configured to engage a first location on the second bearing assembly, and the cam being biased by the slack control device such that the cam urges the second assembly to engage the track.
A carriage for traveling along a track, the carriage comprising:
- a frame;
- a first bearing assembly linked to the frame and capable of a first side of the track;
- a second movable bearing assembly positioned between the frame and a second side of the track;
- a slack control device positioned to bias the second bearing assembly against the track;
- and
- a cam defining a camming surface, the cam operatively associated with the slack control device, the camming surface configured to engage a first location on the second bearing assembly, and the cam being biased by the slack control device such that the cam urges the second bearing assembly to engage the track.
An apparatus for transporting objects, comprising:
- a track;
- a carriage for moving along the track and transporting the objects, the carriage comprising:
- a frame;
- a first bearing assembly linked to the frame and for engaging a first side of the track;
- a second bearing assembly slidably mounted to the frame;
- and
- a cam surface selectively positionable against a location on the second bearing assembly and operative to adjust the distance between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly such that the second bearing assembly may engage the track.
An apparatus for transporting objects, comprising:
- a track;
- and
- a carriage for moving along the track and transporting the objects, the carriage comprising:
- a frame;
- a first movable bearing assembly linked to the frame and for engaging a first side of the track;
- a second movable bearing assembly positioned between the frame and a second side of the track;
- a first slack control device positioned to bias the first bearing assembly against the track;
- and
- a second slack control device positioned to bias the second bearing assembly against the track independent of the biasing of the first slack control device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.