Patent ID: 6644459
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A transfer assembly for positioning between conveyor sections defining a conveying surface, the conveying surface defining a conveying direction, said transfer assembly for transferring at least one article laterally with respect to the conveying surface in a direction angled to the conveying direction, said transfer assembly comprising:at least two conveying devices defining a conveying surface for at least generally aligning with the conveying surface of the convey or sections; a sheave assembly, said sheave assembly comprising: a support member; a reinforced transfer belt having a belt length and defining a transfer surface; and at least two transfer sheaves mounted to said support member, said transfer sheaves supporting said transfer belt, and said support member being adapted to move said transfer belt between a non-transferring position wherein said transfer surface is below said conveying surface of said conveying devices and a transferring position wherein said transfer surface is raised above said conveying surface of said conveying devices, said transfer assembly being adapted to move said transfer belt wherein said belt length of said transfer belt changes less than one-quarter of an inch when moved between its non-transferring position and its transferring position.