Patent ID: 6805232
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for directing and cushioning a plurality of items conveyed from an elevated source into a piling area beneath said source, comprising:a) a frame, said frame operatively connecting to said source; b) an arm with a first arm end and a second arm end opposite said first arm end, said arm pivotally and operatively connecting to said frame at a first connection area; c) means for selectively pivoting said arm around said first connection area with said frame; and d) a directing and cushioning element operatively connecting to said arm at a second connection area by means for attaching, said directing and cushioning element comprising: i) a bracket member having an inner surface and an outer surface; ii) a plurality of resilient, curved fingers operatively connected to said bracket member by means for affixing; and â€ƒwherein a finger among said plurality of resilient, curved fingers is disposed with at least a portion of said finger beneath an initial drop area at an operator-controlled, predetermined distance and at an operator-controlled, predetermined, non-vertical angle, such that as an item among 19 said plurality of items falls from said source and contacts said finger on a contact surface of said finger said item is directed to a modified path further from vertical than an unmodified path said item would take absent contact with said finger and such that a portion of said item's kinetic energy is absorbed by said finger said item contacts.