Belt-carried tilt tray sorter
AssigneeUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc.
InventorHenri Bonnet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tilt tray sorting system with a high speed, reliable, mechanical actuator for tilting the trays, suitable for tilting trays carried on a belt conveyor. A plurality of tilt tray assemblies include an actuator, mounted for movement with a tilt tray and for movement relative to the tray. The actuator includes a trigger arm extending below the tray, preferably through an opening in a belt that carries the tray. A trip mechanism is selectively positioned in the path of the trigger arm to move the actuator and tilt the tray.
Claims17
A tilt tray sorting system, comprising:
- a plurality of tilt tray assemblies mounted on a belt conveyor, each of said assemblies comprising:
- a tray;
- an actuator, comprising a tray-engaging portion and a trigger arm extending from said tray;
- and
- a moveable trip member selectively positionable in the path of said trigger arm, such that when said trip member strikes said trigger arm, said actuator moves to tilt said tray about said axis.
A tilt tray sorting system, comprising:
- a plurality of tilt tray assemblies mounted on a belt conveyor, each of said assemblies comprising:
- a tray engaging said belt along a pivot axis generally parallel to a path of travel of said belt;
- an actuator, comprising a tray-engaging portion and a trigger arm extending from said tray;
- and
- a moveable trip member selectively positionable in the path of said trigger arm, such that when said trip member strikes said trigger arm, said actuator moves to tilt said tray about said axis.
A tilt tray sorting system, comprising:
- a plurality of tilt tray assemblies mounted on a belt conveyor, each of said assemblies comprising:
- a tray mounted for tilting about an axis generally parallel to a path of travel of said belt;
- and
- an actuator, comprising a tray-engaging portion and a trigger arm extending through an opening in said belt to a position below said belt;
- and
- a moveable trip member selectively positionable in the path of said trigger arm, such that when said trip member strikes said trigger arm, said actuator moves to tilt said tray about said axis.
A tilt tray sorting system, comprising:
- a conveyor belt;
- at least one tray spanning a centerline of said belt, said tray defining at least one left foot defining a left tilt axis, and at least one right foot defining a right tilt axis spaced across said centerline from said left tilt axis, said feet elevating a central portion of said tray above said belt;
- an L-shaped left actuator comprising a left lifting arm lying between said belt and said tray adjacent to said left foot, and joined to a left trigger arm extending down through a left opening in said belt;
- an L-shaped right actuator comprising a right lifting arm lying between said belt and said tray adjacent to said right foot, and joined to a right trigger arm extending down through a right opening in said belt;
- a link attached to said tray approximately along said centerline of said belt, and extending down through a retractor opening in said belt;
- a spring retained between a lower end of said link and said belt, said spring operative to urge said tray into a position wherein both said left and right feet are engaging said belt;
- and
- means for selectively moving a trip member into the path of said left trigger arm or said right trigger arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.