Apparatus for dividing moving objects into rows

Claim 1

An apparatus for dividing moving objects from one row into a plurality of rows each in a separate path comprising: a frame; an arm having a channel and a discharge end through which said moving objects pass with said arm being movably mounted to said frame; and, drive means operably connected to said arm being operable to provide motion to said arm and move said discharge end past each path, said drive means including interrupting means operable to interrupt said motion and stop said discharge end at each path; said arm is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to said frame with said discharge end moving through an arc; said drive means includes a motor connected to said interrupting means and linkage connected between said arm and said interrupting means; said interrupting means includes a Geneva mechanism and a rotatably mounted shaft with a pinion thereon, said Geneva mechanism has a driven wheel on said shaft and a driver weel connected to the output of said motor, said driver wheel has at least one roller thereon and said driven wheel has radial slots engageable with said roller, said output rotates said driver wheel causing said roller to engage one of said slots causing intermittent movement of said driven wheel, said shaft and said pinion; and a cam mounted to rotate with said driver wheel, an end of the cycle switch contactable by a portion of said cam and operably connected to said clutch to disengage said motor from said Geneva mechanism, said portion of said cam being oriented with respect to said roller so that said portion contacts said switch when said roller has just left one of said slots.

Claim 2

An apparatus for dividing moving objects from one row into a plurality of rows each in a separate path comprising: a frame; an arm having a channel and a discharge end through which said moving objects pass with said arm being movably mounted to said frame; and, drive means operably connected to said arm being operable to provide motion to said arm and move said discharge end past each path, said drive means including interrupting means operable to interrupt said motion and stop said discharge end at each path; said arm is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to said frame with said discharge end moving through an arc; said drive means includes a motor connected to said interrupting means and linkage connected between said arm and said interrupting means; said interrupting means includes a Geneva mechanism and a rotatably mounted shaft with a pinion thereon, said Geneva mechanism has a driven wheel on said shaft and a driver weel connected to the output of said motor, said driver wheel has at least one roller thereon and said driven wheel has radial slots engageable with said roller, said output rotates said driver wheel causing said roller to engage one of said slots causing intermittent movement of said driven wheel, said shaft and said pinion; and a cam mounted to rotate with said driver wheel, an end of the cycle switch contactable by a portion of said cam and operably connected to said clutch to disengage said motor from said Geneva mechanism, said portion of said cam being oriented with respect to said roller so that said portion contacts said switch when said roller has just left one of said slots.

Claim 3

An apparatus for dividing moving objects fron one row into plurality of rows each a separate path comprising: a frame; an arm having a channel and a discharge end through which said moving objects pass with said arm being movably mounted to said frame; and, drive means operably connected to said arm being operable to provide motion to said arm and move said discharge end past each path, said drive means including interrupting means operable to interrupt said motion and stop said discharge end at each path; said arm is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to said frame with said discharge end moving through an arc; said drive means includes a motor connected to said interrupting means and linkage connected between said arm and said interrupting means; counting means including a counter mounted to said arm near said discharge end which counts the moving objects discharged therefrom, said counting means being operable to produce a signal upon obtainment of a predetermined number of objects discharged; a clutch mounted on said frame connecting said interrupting means to said motor upon receipt of said signal; switch means mounted to said frame and positioned at the opposite ends of said arc to contact said movable arm, said switch means being operable when contacted by said arm to reverse said output of said motor; said movable arm has a pair of side frames spaced apart and cross bars removably connecting said side frames together, said side frames are adjustably movable apart to fittingly receive a different size of moving object. 3. An apparatus for dividing moving objects from one row into a plurality of rows each in a separate path comprising: a frame; an arm having a channel and a discharge end through which said moving objects pass with said arm being movably mounted to said frame; and, drive means operably connected to said arm being operable to provide motion to said arm and move said discharge end past each path, said drive means including interrupting means operable to interrupt said motion and stop said discharge end at each path; said arm is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to said frame with said discharge end moving through an arc; said drive means includes a motor connected to said interrupTing means and linkage connected between said arm and said interrupting means; counting means including a counter mounted to said arm near said discharge end which counts the moving objects discharged therefrom, said counting means being operable to produce a signal upon obtainment of a predetermined number of objects discharged; and, a clutch mounted on said frame connecting said interrupting means to said motor upon receipt of said signal; switch means mounted to said frame and positioned at the opposite ends of said arc to contact said movable arm, said switch means being operable when contacted by said arm to reverse said output of said motor; a carriage movably mounted on said frame and having said drive means mounted thereon, a worm rotatably mounted on said frame and threadedly connected to said carriage, said worm being rotatable to locate said carriage at different positions along said frame and wherein said linkage is removably connected to different locations along the length of said arm.

Claim 4

An apparatus for dividing moving objects fron one row into plurality of rows each a separate path comprising: a frame; an arm having a channel and a discharge end through which said moving objects pass with said arm being movably mounted to said frame; and, drive means operably connected to said arm being operable to provide motion to said arm and move said discharge end past each path, said drive means including interrupting means operable to interrupt said motion and stop said discharge end at each path; said arm is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to said frame with said discharge end moving through an arc; said drive means includes a motor connected to said interrupting means and linkage connected between said arm and said interrupting means; counting means including a counter mounted to said arm near said discharge end which counts the moving objects discharged therefrom, said counting means being operable to produce a signal upon obtainment of a predetermined number of objects discharged; a clutch mounted on said frame connecting said interrupting means to said motor upon receipt of said signal; switch means mounted to said frame and positioned at the opposite ends of said arc to contact said movable arm, said switch means being operable when contacted by said arm to reverse said output of said motor; said movable arm has a pair of side frames spaced apart and cross bars removably connecting said side frames together, said side frames are adjustably movable apart to fittingly receive a different size of moving object. 3. An apparatus for dividing moving objects from one row into a plurality of rows each in a separate path comprising: a frame; an arm having a channel and a discharge end through which said moving objects pass with said arm being movably mounted to said frame; and, drive means operably connected to said arm being operable to provide motion to said arm and move said discharge end past each path, said drive means including interrupting means operable to interrupt said motion and stop said discharge end at each path; said arm is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to said frame with said discharge end moving through an arc; said drive means includes a motor connected to said interrupTing means and linkage connected between said arm and said interrupting means; counting means including a counter mounted to said arm near said discharge end which counts the moving objects discharged therefrom, said counting means being operable to produce a signal upon obtainment of a predetermined number of objects discharged; and, a clutch mounted on said frame connecting said interrupting means to said motor upon receipt of said signal; switch means mounted to said frame and positioned at the opposite ends of said arc to contact said movable arm, said switch means being operable when contacted by said arm to reverse said output of said motor; a carriage movably mounted on said frame and having said drive means mounted thereon, a worm rotatably mounted on said frame and threadedly connected to said carriage, said worm being rotatable to locate said carriage at different positions along said frame and wherein said linkage is removably connected to different locations along the length of said arm.