Specimen carrier transfer apparatus for a conveyor track

A transfer apparatus for shifting specimen carriers between two conveyors of a dual conveyor track, the track of the type having first and second parallel, spaced apart conveyors with upper surfaces within a single plane, the conveyors operable in the same longitudinal direction, the transfer apparatus comprising:

• a frame connected to the track for supporting an operable shuttle;
• a shuttle operably connected to the frame to move transversely between the conveyors and generally perpendicular to the movement of specimen carriers on the conveyors;
• a first stop member on said frame, projecting partially over the first conveyor;
• a second stop member on said frame, projecting partially over the second conveyor;
• said shuttle having a pair of parallel arms spaced apart a distance to receive a specimen carrier therebetween;
• said shuttle operable to a first “hold” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween is in contact with the first stop member, to thereby prevent downstream movement of a carrier on the first conveyor;
• said shuttle operable to a first “release” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween bypasses the first stop member and is moved downstream through the shuttle arms on the first conveyor;
• said shuttle operable to a second “release” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween bypasses the second stop member and is moved downstream through the shuttle arms on the second conveyor;
• said shuttle also being operable to a second “hold” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween is in contact with the second stop member to thereby prevent downstream movement of a carrier on the second conveyor;
• a drive assembly on the frame for selectively moving the shuttle among the first “hold” position, the second “hold” position, the first “release” position and the second “release” position;
• said frame further including a support plate mounted on the upper end thereof supporting said shuttle and said drive assembly;
• and
• said shuttle arms being suspended from a slide, said slide being slidably mounted along a linear rail, and said motor being connected to the slide to selectively move the slide along the rail.

A transfer apparatus for shifting specimen carriers between two conveyors of a dual conveyor track, the track of the type having first and second parallel, spaced apart conveyors with upper surfaces within a single plane, the conveyors operable in the same longitudinal direction, the transfer apparatus comprising:

• a frame connected to the track for supporting an operable shuttle;
• a shuttle operably connected to the frame to move transversely between the conveyors and generally perpendicular to the movement of specimen carriers on the conveyors;
• a first stop member on said frame, projecting partially over the first conveyor;
• a second stop member on said frame, projecting partially over the second conveyor;
• said shuttle having a pair of parallel arms spaced apart a distance to receive a specimen carrier therebetween;
• said shuttle operable to a first “hold” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween is in contact with the first stop member, to thereby prevent downstream movement of a carrier on the first conveyor;
• said shuttle operable to a first “release” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween bypasses the first stop member and is moved downstream through the shuttle arms on the first conveyor;
• said shuttle operable to a second “release” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween bypasses the second stop member and is moved downstream through the shuttle arms on the second conveyor;
• said shuttle also being operable to a second “hold” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween is in contact with the second stop member to thereby prevent downstream movement of a carrier on the second conveyor;
• a drive assembly on the frame for selectively moving the shuttle among the first “hold” position, the second “hold” position, the first “release” position and the second “release” position;
• and
• a queue positioned upstream of said shuttle between said conveyors, for selectively restraining specimen carriers on the conveyors upstream of the shuttle and selectively releasing a specimen carrier from one of said conveyors in response to instructions from the command module, said queue electronically connected to the command module to receive instructions therefrom.