Patent ID: 9365361
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: B65G

Claim Text:
1. A conveyor assembly comprising: a base; an elevator platform positioned above the base for vertical motion with respect to the base; an actuator which extends between the base and the elevator platform and which is operable to raise and lower the elevator platform; a plurality of belt drive frames mounted to the elevator platform, the belt drive frames being spaced from one another in a first direction; a track mounted to each belt drive frame, wherein each track has an upwardly opening channel; and a looped belt mounted to each belt drive frame for advancement in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, each belt extending within a track channel, wherein each belt has a plurality of teeth which project upwardly above the track and above the belt drive frame, wherein each looped belt is driven by at least one drive motor mounted to the elevator platform to move with the elevator platform, the looped belts being driven to advance together in the second direction for engaging an article to be conveyed in the second direction, and wherein the elevator platform is actuatable to retract the belts below a surface defined by a plurality of spaced parallel rollers which extend in the second direction to define a main conveyor for advancing articles in the first direction, such that an article may be conveyed above the belts in the first direction by the main conveyor, and the elevator platform is actuatable to extend the belts above said main conveyor surface to lift an article from the main conveyor and advance it in the second direction.