Abstract:
Quick release tube systems and methods may allow for components of a switching apparatus to be quickly and easily installed, removed, serviced or replaced without requiring an overhead crane or more than one skilled individual to perform the work.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/676,016, entitled “Quick Release Tube Systems and Methods,” filed on Jul. 26, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to quick release tube systems and methods, and in particular, to quick release tube systems and methods for a switching apparatus conveyor belt that are quickly and easily installable and replaceable by a single user during assembly and necessary maintenance. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Switching apparatuses, such as a horizontal switch, are useful in sorting articles. For example, a switching apparatus may receive articles from a single input conveyor and divert the articles to one of two or more output conveyors. Another switching apparatus may receive articles from two or more input conveyors and converge the articles, such that all articles are directed to a single output conveyor. Yet another switching apparatus may receive articles from two or more input conveyors and divert the articles to a plurality of output conveyors. These devices are typically bulky, complicated pieces of equipment, and as such, assembly requires the use of an overhead crane and more than one skilled individual to install. Moreover, like all moving mechanical components, the switching apparatus conveyor belt occasionally needs servicing or replacement, which requires the tedious task of removing all the roller pins securing the rod tubes, which support the pallets of the switching apparatus, to the roller chains of the switching apparatus conveyor belt and removing the length of the rod tubes from sometimes less than ideal locations and angles. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide quick release tube systems and methods that allow components of the switching apparatus to be quickly and easily installed, serviced or replaced, without requiring an overhead crane or more than one skilled individual. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a quick release tube system comprising a tube assembly having an interior tube member coupled to an exterior tube member. The interior tube member may include a tube head, an interior tube body having a length and a width, and a detent pin connected thereto. The exterior tube member may include an exterior tube body having a length and a width, and bearing two holes. The interior tube member connects or otherwise couples to the exterior tube member by the detent pin locking within one of the holes of the exterior tube member. 
     In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a quick release tube system comprising a tube assembly having an interior tube member coupled to an exterior tube member by an external locking means. The interior tube member may include a tube head and an interior tube body having a length and a width, and bearing one hole. The exterior tube member may include an exterior tube body having a length and a width, and bearing two holes. The interior tube member connects or otherwise couples to the exterior tube member by the locking means piercing through one of the holes of the exterior tube member and the hole of interior tube member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a switching apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a plurality of quick release tube systems used in conjunction with the switching apparatus of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a side elevation view of an interior tube member of the tube assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3   b  is an enlarged illustration of the detent pin of the interior tube member of  FIG. 3   a  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an exterior tube member of the tube assembly of  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a tube assembly of a quick release tube system in the engaged position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a tube assembly of a quick release tube system in the disengaged position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally provides a quick release tube system and method that allows components of a switching apparatus to be easily installed, serviced or replaced to substantially increase efficiency. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a switching apparatus system comprising a horizontal switch  100  of the type disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,022. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal switch  100  may further comprise a plurality of quick release tube systems  200 . It should be understood that the horizontal switch  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable switching apparatus system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with, or in lieu of, horizontal switch  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The horizontal switch  100  generally includes a frame  102 , a plurality of quick release tube systems  200 , and two roller chains  104 . Each roller chain  104  is encased in frame  102  and connected perpendicularly to opposite ends of system  200 . When engaged, roller chains  104  cause tube systems  200  to move around the closed course of horizontal switch  100 , which includes an upper horizontally disposed article sorting portion, a lower horizontally disposed pallet return portion, and curved end portions interconnecting the upper and lower portions. A plurality of pallets  106  are supported on tube systems  200 . 
     In operation of horizontal switch  100 , a sequence of articles is directed onto the pallets  106  along a single input conveyor path  108 , and the pallets  106  are actuated to selectively discharge individual articles along any one of the output conveyor paths  110 . It should be understood, however, that the horizontal switches of the type disclosed herein can be used to receive articles from a plurality of input conveyor paths and to direct the received articles to one output conveyor path, or a plurality of output conveyor paths. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a top plan view of a plurality of quick release tube systems  200 . It should be understood that quick release tube systems  200  are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem may be used in conjunction with, or in lieu of, system  200  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, quick release tube system  200  may comprise a tube assembly  202  having an interior tube member  204  and an exterior tube member  206 . 
     Interior tube member  204 , as described in more detail below, may generally include a tube head  208 . In an embodiment, tube head  208  may be connected to or is otherwise coupled to a first roller chain  104  in any manner that allows tube system  200  to maintain a fixed horizontal position, such as, for example, using roller pin  212  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or any other suitable method including having male and female coupling adapters, having a bolt and socket attachment, having a ball and socket attachment, having a brass ring and chain attachment, a clip or pin attachment, or using other suitable coupling materials, or any combination thereof. 
     Exterior tube member  206 , as described in more detail below, may generally include tube socket  210 . In an embodiment, tube socket  210  may be connected to or is otherwise coupled to a second roller chain  104  in any manner that allows system  200  to maintain a fixed vertical position, such as, for example, using bearing  214  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or any other suitable method including having male and female coupling adapters, having a bolt and socket attachment, having a ball and socket attachment, having a brass ring and chain attachment, a clip or pin attachment, or using other suitable coupling materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In an embodiment, a plurality of pallets  106  are coupled to and slidably disposed on top of tube system  200 , such that each of the pallets  106  are in continuous contact with each adjacent pallet. 
       FIG. 3   a  depicts a side elevation view of the interior tube member  204  of  FIG. 2  that may be employed in conjunction with an exterior tube member  206  to connect system  200  to horizontal switch  100 .  FIG. 3   b  is an enlarged view of the detent pin  218  of interior tube member  204  that may be employed to affix interior tube member  204  to exterior tube member  206 . It should be understood that detent pin  218  is for illustrative purposes only and that interior tube  204  may be connected to or otherwise coupled to exterior tube  206  in any other suitable manner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Interior tube member  204  may generally include tube head  208 , interior tube body  216 , and detent pin  218  connected thereto. In an embodiment, interior tube body  216  may have a length (L) and a width (W). In an embodiment, the detent pin  218  may be positioned approximately a specified distance from the outside edge of tube head  208 . 
     In an embodiment, detent pin  218  may be a spring-loaded plunger that may be manipulated with a screwdriver, plunger tool, pen tip, or other suitable tool to compress the detent pin  218 , such that interior tube member  204  may be slidably disposed within exterior tube member  206 . 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, detent pin  218  may be a screw, ball lock, retractable pin, press fit plunger, or other suitable removable locking device to connect or otherwise couple interior tube member  204  with exterior tube member  206 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a top plan view of the exterior tube member  206  of  FIG. 2  that may be employed in conjunction with interior tube member  204  to connect system  200  to horizontal switch  100 . 
     Exterior tube member  206  may generally include exterior tube body  220 . In an embodiment, exterior tube body  220  may have a length (L) and a width (W). Exterior tube body  220  may comprise a first hole  222  bored at a position approximately a specified distance from the edge of exterior tube body  220  and a second hole  224  bored at a position approximately a specified distance from the edge of exterior tube body  220 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In an embodiment, the inside wall of exterior tube member  206  may be deburred in a manner that allows interior tube member  204  to be easily disposed within exterior tube member  206 . 
       FIG. 5  generally illustrates the tube assembly  202  of  FIG. 2  in the engaged position. In the engaged position, tube assembly  202  may be employed to connect system  200  to horizontal switch  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     When tube assembly  202  is in the engaged position, interior tube member  204  may be configured to be slidably disposed within exterior tube member  206 , in a manner such that the detent pin  218  of interior tube member  204  may be oriented and locked within hole  222  of exterior tube member  206 . 
       FIG. 6  generally illustrates the tube assembly  202  of  FIG. 2  in the disengaged position. In the disengaged position, tube assembly  202  may be employed to quickly and easily disconnect system  200  from the horizontal switch  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     When tube assembly  202  is in the disengaged position, interior tube member  204  may be configured to be further slidably disposed within exterior tube member  206 , in a manner such that the detent pin  218  of interior tube member  204  may be oriented and locked within hole  224  of exterior tube member  206 . 
     In operation, during the installation of system  200 , a user would orient interior tube member  204  so that the detent pin  218  is in line with hole  222  and hole  224  of exterior tube member  206 . The user may then compress detent pin  218  such that interior tube member  204  may slide within exterior tube member  206  until detent pin  218  is oriented and locked within hole  222 . The user may then connect tube head  208  to first roller chain  104  and tube socket  210  to second roller chain  104 . 
     During maintenance and removal of system  200 , a user may quickly and easily disconnect system  200  from horizontal switch  100  by first disconnecting tube head  208  from first roller chain  104  and tube socket  210  from second roller chain  104 . The user may then compress detent pin  218  and slidably dispose interior tube member  202  further within exterior tube member  204  until detent pin  218  is oriented and locked within hole  224 . Once tube assembly  202  is in this disengaged position, the user may easily lift system  200  along an angular axis and remove system  200  from horizontal switch  100 . 
     In an embodiment, any of the interior tube member  204  and exterior tube member  206  of system  200  may be made of metal, plastic, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), wood, nylon, polyester, high-gloss polyester, laminate, plexiglass, polymer, glass, aluminum, brass, bronze, stainless steel, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     Any of the roller pin  212 , bearing  214 , and detent pin  216  may be made of metal, steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, nylon, plastic, wood, polyester, high-gloss polyester, laminate, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plexiglass, polymer, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In an embodiment, interior tube member  204 , exterior tube member  206 , roller pin  212 , bearing  214 , and/or detent pin  216  may be embellished with different paints, colors, patterns, ornamental items, removable stickers, paints, stencils, chalks, designs, images, other decorative materials, or any combination thereof to enhance or otherwise achieve the desired décor of the surroundings. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.