Package sortation conveyor

Claim 1

In a package conveyor system including a main line and a plurality of branch outlets leading from a side of said main line and comprising a frame defining said main line and branch outlets, an endless apron supported for movement on said frame, said apron comprising a pair of endless chains and a plurality of cross members connected at opposite ends thereof to said chains in spaced relation with each other lengthwise of said apron whereby the uppermost portion of said cross members define a discontinuous apron surface in a horizontal plane on which packages are supported, and means for driving said apron to convey packages supported thereon along said main line from the upstream end thereof, the combination of (a) a plurality of pusher elements each mounted on at least one of said cross members for movement laterally of said apron as well as forward movement with said cross member, (b) each said pusher element having a side face extending upwardly above said plane of said discontinuous surface for engagement with the side of a package on said apron upon movement of said pusher element on said cross member laterally of said apron, (c) means in said frame for causing each said pusher element to enter the upstream end of said main line adjacent one side thereof, (d) means in said frame for causing preselected numbers of said pusher elements to move laterally of said apron in sequence to push a laterally adjacent package across said apron surface toward a selected one of said branch outlets, (e) each said pusher element also having an individual leading face extending downwardly and forwardly with respect to said face thereon from a level substantially above said plane of said discontinuous surface to a level below said surface, (f) whereby upon engagement of a said leading face with a package held against forward movement on said apron surface with respect to said frame, the pusher element will lift such held package with respect to said apron and pass under the lifted package.