Brian Scott Merritt

US Patent:

20050263374, Dec 1, 2005

Filed:

May 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853778

Inventors:

Robert Beesley - Greenville SC, US
Gregory Bruns - Moore SC, US
Brian Merritt - Easley SC, US

International Classification:

B65G047/10

US Classification:

198594000

Abstract:

An apparatus for diverting a stream of articles includes a first conveyor driven in a first direction and at a first speed around a first axle, and a second conveyor is driven in a second direction generally opposite of the first direction and at a second speed around a second axle, the first and second conveyors disposed generally parallel to each other. A diverter element extends at least partially across the first and second conveyors to divert articles conveyed on the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. A differential drive mechanism is operatively interconnected with and driven by the first and second axles in a direction responsive to a relative rotation speed difference between the first and second axles, the differential drive mechanism being located exterior to the first and second conveyors. An endless loop is operatively connected to the diverter element and the differential drive mechanism, the endless loop being driven by the differential drive mechanism to thereby move the diverter element in a path generally parallel to the first and second conveyors. Related structures, drives, and controls are also disclosed.