High speed bobbin-type sorter for parcels

An apparatus for attachment to a substantially stationary frame for conveying an item along a conveying path or selectively discharging said item sidewardly from said path to either of two side discharge locations being on opposite sides of said path, said apparatus comprising:

• a pivoting conveyor mount pivotably mounted relative to said frame about a pivot axis, said pivoting conveyor mount being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• and
• a conveyor mounted relative to said pivoting conveyor mount and defining a conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said pivoting conveyor mount, but being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said pivoting conveyor mount is in said neutral position,
• said pivoting conveyor mount configured to pivot in either of two directions from said neutral position to cause packages positioned atop said conveyor to be discharged therefrom towards either of said two corresponding side discharge locations.

An apparatus for conveying an item along a conveying path or selectively discharging said item sidewardly from said path to either of two side discharge locations being on opposite sides of said path, said apparatus comprising:

• a substantially stationary frame;
• a pivoting conveyor mount pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a pivot axis, said pivoting conveyor mount being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• a conveyor mounted relative to said pivoting conveyor mount and defining a conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said pivoting conveyor mount, but being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said pivoting conveyor mount is in said neutral position;
• electric motor means for powering said conveyor, said electric motor means mounted relative to said pivoting conveyor mount to pivot therewith;
• and
• means for pivoting said conveyor mount in either of two directions from said neutral position to cause packages positioned atop said conveyor to be discharged therefrom towards either of said two corresponding side discharge locations.

An apparatus for conveying an item along a conveying path or selectively discharging said item sidewardly from said path to either of two side discharge locations being on opposite sides of said path orientation, said apparatus comprising:

• a substantially stationary frame;
• a rotating member pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a pivot axis, said rotating member being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• a conveyor mounted relative to said conveyor and defining a conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said pivoting conveyor mount, but being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said pivoting conveyor mount is in said neutral position;
• package engagement means attached to the exterior of said rotating member;
• and
• means for pivoting said conveyor mount in either of two directions from said neutral position to cause packages positioned atop said conveyor to be discharged therefrom towards either of said two corresponding side discharge locations and urged towards said side discharge stations upon contact with said package engagement means.

An apparatus for conveying an item along a conveying path or selectively discharging said item sidewardly from said path to either of two side discharge locations being on opposing sides of said path, said apparatus comprising:

• a substantially stationary frame portion;
• a rotating member pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a pivot axis, said rotating member being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• conveyor means mounted relative to said rotating member and defining first and second opposing conveying surfaces configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said rotating member, each being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly and downwardly, respectfully, when said rotating member is in said neutral position;
• and
• means for pivoting said rotating member in either of two directions from said neutral position to cause packages positioned atop said upwardly-directed conveyor surface to be discharged therefrom towards either of said two corresponding side discharge locations.

An apparatus for conveying an item along a conveying path or selectively discharging said item sidewardly from said path to either of two side discharge locations being on opposite sides of said path, said apparatus comprising:

• a substantially stationary frame portion;
• a first rotating member pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a pivot axis, said rotating member being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• a second rotating member pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a second pivot axis substantially parallel to said first pivot axis, said second rotating member being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• first conveyor means mounted relative to said first rotating member and defining a conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said first rotating member, said first conveying surface being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said first rotating member is in said neutral position;
• and
• second conveyor means mounted relative to said second rotating member and defining a second conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said second rotating member, said second conveying surface being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said second rotating member is in said neutral position;
• and
• means for pivoting said first and second rotating members in either of two directions from said neutral position to cause packages positioned atop said upwardly-directed conveyor surfaces to be discharged therefrom towards either of said two corresponding side discharge locations.

A method for conveying an item along a conveying path or selectively discharging said item sidewardly from said path to either of two side discharge locations being on opposite sides of said path, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing the following assembly:
• 1) a substantially stationary frame portions
• 2) a first rotating member pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a pivot axis, said rotating member being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• 3 a second rotating member pivotably mounted relative to said frame along a second pivot axis substantially parallel to said first pivot axis, said second rotating member being pivotable within a pivot range extending to either side of a neutral position;
• 4 first conveyor means mounted relative to said first rotating member and defining a first conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said first rotating member, said first conveying surface being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said first rotating member is in said neutral position;
• 5 second conveyor means mounted relative to said first rotating member and defining a second conveying surface configured to vary in orientation with the rotation of said second rotating member, said second conveying surface being substantially horizontal and facing substantially upwardly when said second rotating member is in said neutral position;
• and
• 6 means or pivoting said first and second rotating members in either of two directions from said neutral position to cause packages positioned atop said upwardly-directed conveyor surface to be discharged therefrom towards either of said two corresponding side discharge locations,
• b) conveying a package to a location atop said first and second conveyors;
• and
• c) rotating said first and second rotating members in the same direction such that said item is discharged thereby.