Abstract:
An improved sorting system for use with a conveyor assembly includes a transverse roller conveyor belt for conveying a product to one or more product stations. The sorting system provides a stager system for positioning product on moving conveyor and a diverter system for shuttling product into alternative channels. The system in a preferred embodiment is configured for use with tire handling components, and can be equipped with a bar code reader useable with tires.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/755,568, 12/755,588 and 12/755,614, filed Apr. 7, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/327,864, filed Dec. 4, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,840 and claiming benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/074,858, filed on Jun. 23, 2008, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present disclosure generally relates to conveyor assemblies and more particularly to conveyor assemblies for vehicle tires. 
         [0004]    A typical transportation mode for product, such as, for example, green and finished vehicle tires, within a plant utilizes conveyors. Conveyors can be powered or they can rely on gravity when sufficient pitch is present to keep the tires moving from a starting point to a destination. 
         [0005]    When the operator desires to transfer a tire from current conveyor to a destination conveyor, diverters often are employed. Diverters can be of different designs and powered hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically, as is necessary, desirable, or convenient. 
         [0006]    Frames carrying the conveyor belt carry the diverters. Ease of assembly and life expectancy are important to operators, as is ease of manufacturing to the manufacturer. Important too are value guides, rollers, and other conveyor supporting equipment for minimizing noise, vibration, longevity, and the like. 
         [0007]    It is to all of these conveyor components that the present disclosure is directed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0008]    One aspect of the present disclosure is an improved conveyor assembly including a conveyor belt for conveying a product to one or more product operations is disclosed. Such conveyor assembly includes a pair of spaced apart side frames that support the conveyor belt and between which the conveyor belt rotates. The conveyor can be configured with transverse roller. The side frames are formed from an upstanding member and a inwardly extending horizontal member. Both the frame upstanding member and the frame horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. One or more L-shaped brackets are formed from a generally upstanding member and an inwardly extending member. Both the bracket upstanding member and the bracket horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. The bracket horizontal member slots are configured to overlay the frame elongate horizontal member slots, and the bracket upstanding member slots are configured to overlay the frame upstanding member slots for attaching components to the frames. 
         [0009]    The system is preferably embodied as a sorting system for sorting product for use with a product primary conveyor apparatus comprising a frame system of a first side rail and a second side rail supporting a transverse roller conveyor belt forming said primary conveyor apparatus; a stager for urging a product being carried on said primary conveyor into a chosen lateral position on the transverse roller conveyor comprising one or more actuatable staging paddles affixed to the frame system and having a paddle face fitted with rollers, which staging paddle urges a product into a position; a diverter for changing a direction of travel of a product being carried by said primary conveyor apparatus to a side conveyor apparatus, said affixed to said first side frame with the diverter being comprised of a diverter piston assembly affixed to said first side frame; a diverter pivot arm pivotally affixed to said first side frame and pivotally connected to said diverter piston assembly; and a diverter paddle affixed to said pivot arm, said diverter piston assembly being actuatable to pivot said diverter pivot arm, said diverter pivot arm in turn causing said diverter paddle to pivot and contact a product being carried by said primary conveyor for diverting said product into a discharge path disposed opposite said diverter. 
         [0010]    The stager can further be embodied with an actuatable piston assembly wherein said piston assembly actuates a staging paddle and product is urged into a position against said first side rail prior to said product being contacted by said diverter for diverting said product onto said discharge. The stager can also be equipped with a piston assembly that is an elastomeric compressive piston actuates by the conveyor urging the product against the stager paddle. The sorting system is useful with a variety of products, including one or more of unmounted tires, wheel mounted tires, green tires, drums, canisters or boxes. The sorting system can further comprise a stager with at least two staging paddles, said staging paddles urging said product to the center of said transverse roller conveyor, 
         [0011]    Disclosed is an embodiment of a sorting system with a stager in association with a product primary conveyor apparatus, said primary conveyor apparatus including a pair of parallel side frame assemblies carrying therebetween a movable conveyor belt, which comprises an actuatable staging paddle affixed to a second side frame assembly and having a paddle face fitted with rollers, which staging paddle urges a product against a first side rail assembly. The stager can be further embodied with a stager piston assembly pivotally connected to said second side frame and pivotally connected to a movable stager swing arm, said movable stager swing arm also being pivotally connected to said second side frame, said rollered stager paddle being pivotally connected to said moveable stager swing arm where said moveable stager swing arm is pivotally connected to said second side frame. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of this disclosure is a diverter in association with a product primary conveyor apparatus for changing direction of travel of a product being carried by the primary conveyor apparatus to a side conveyor apparatus. The diverter includes a side frame supporting the primary conveyor apparatus and a diverter affixed to the side frame and which includes a piston assembly affixed to the side frame; a pivot arm pivotally affixed to the side frame and to the piston assembly with an elastomeric component; and a paddle affixed to the piston assembly and being actuatable to contact a tire being carried by the primary conveyor onto a side conveyor disposed opposite the diverter. 
         [0013]    A further embodiment is a centering assembly in association with a product primary conveyor apparatus, where a first actuatable centering paddle affixed to a first side frame assembly and having a face fitted with rollers and a second actuatable centering paddle affixed to a second side frame assembly and having a face fitted with rollers, then together first and second actuatable centering paddles disposed oppositely and simultaneously actuatable for centering product on the movable convey belt. The centering assembly can comprise a first actuatable centering paddle is actuated by a first stager piston assembly affixed to said first side frame, and a pivot bar connects said first stager piston assembly to said second actuatable centering paddle for simultaneously actuating said first and second actuatable centering paddles. Furthermore, the centering assembly may have a first stager piston assembly is pivotally connected to said first side frame and pivotally connected to a movable first stager swing arm, said movable first stager swing arm also being pivotally connected to said first side frame, said first rollered stager paddle and said pivot bar both being pivotally connected to said moveable first stager swing arm where said moveable first stager swing arm is pivotally connected to said first side frame. 
         [0014]    A further embodiment is an apparatus for reading a bar code located on a bead of an annular tire which tire is being conveyed by a conveyor system comprising a tire having a circular outside surface and a circular bead edge and a tire bar code disposed between the outside surface and the bead edge; a bar code reader located along the conveyor system while the conveyor system is being conveyed; an inlet from which the tire conveyed on said conveyor system passes into said bar code reader; an outlet from which a tire conveyed on said conveyor passes from said bar code reader; a pair of tire stops that actuate from a home position to an active position to stop said tire&#39;s movement on said conveyor; and a pair of forward rollers and a pair of rearward rollers that move into contact with said tire and cause said tire to rotate; Through this system, when a tire being conveyed along the conveyor system enters the bar code reader, the tire stops actuate, the forward and rearward rollers contact the tire, causing the tire to rotate within the bar code reader disposed adjacent to said tire bar code and said bar code reader reads said bar code as said tire rotates. In a further embodiment, the apparatus elevates the tire when the tire stops actuate. In another alternative embodiment, the forward and rearward rollers can be substituted by a central roller and a pair of lateral rollers that contact said tire outside surface and urge the central roller against said inside edge substituted for the forward and rearward rollers, said central and lateral rollers causing said tire to rotate, and when a tire being conveyed along the conveyor system enters the bar code reader, the tire stops actuate, the central and lateral rollers in contact with the tire, causing the tire to rotate within the bar code reader disposed adjacent to said tire bar code and said bar code reader reads said bar code as said tire rotates. 
         [0015]    These and other aspects of the present disclosure are delineated in greater detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present assembly and components thereof, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an overhead view of a tire assembly conveyor line that utilizes the various components disclosed herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of a control sequence of the tire assembly conveyor line of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a typical conveyor used in the assembly line with the conveyor belt broken away to reveal the interior assembly of the conveyor; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the conveyor depicted in  FIG. 2 , again with the side frame broken away to reveal interior components of the conveyor; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the conveyor depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the indicated transverse slide bar assembly in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an overhead view of the transverse guide bar assemblies and frame showed in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2  showing the ultimate transverse guide bar assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the guide bar assembly locking mechanism; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is an overhead view of the transverse terminal guide bar assembly and frame shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the drive plate in the drive plate assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the drive plate holder plates in the drive plate assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the outer plate in the drive plate assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of a drive nut in the drive plate assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a side view of a drive nut of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is a plan view of a drive cup in the drive plate assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a side view of a drive cup of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is an overhead view of the centering apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is a side view of the centering apparatus of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  is an end view of the frame (in phantom) and bracket that attaches the centering apparatus of  FIG. 22  to the frame; 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  is a side view of a universal bracket used to affix various items to the side bar or frame of the conveyor assembly; 
           [0043]      FIG. 26  is an overhead or plan view of the tire rotator and bar code reader assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 27  is a side view of the tire rotator and bar code reader assembly of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 28  an end view of the tire rotator and bar code reader assembly of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 29  is a plan view of an alternative tire rotator and bar code reader assembly design; 
           [0047]      FIG. 30  is a side view of the alternative tire rotator and bar code reader assembly design of  FIG. 29 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 31  is a plan view of the stager assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 32  is a side view of the stager assembly of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 33  is an end view of the stager assembly of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 34  is an overhead view of the stager assembly of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 35  an end view of the stager assembly of  FIG. 34 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 36  is side view of the first diverter assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 37  is a plan view of the second diverter assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 38  is an end view of the second diverter assembly of  FIG. 37 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 39  is a side view of the second diverter assembly of  FIG. 37 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 40  is a plan view of the third diverter assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 41  is an end view of the third diverter assembly of  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 42  is a side elevational view of the third diverter assembly of  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 43  is a plan view of the corner roller assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0061]      FIG. 44  is a side elevational view of the corner roller assembly of  FIG. 43 . 
       
    
    
       [0062]    The drawings will be described in further detail below. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0063]    The tire conveyor assembly shown in  FIG. 1  merely illustrates the various components of the conveyor assembly and is not a limitation of the disclosure set forth herein. Rather,  FIG. 1  illustrates the flexibility of the disclosed conveyor assembly. Moreover, the arrangement of the components that comprise the conveyor assembly likewise is merely illustrative in that many other configurations can be envisioned based on the present disclosure. Also, the conveyor assembly will be described with specific reference to unmounted vehicle tires, but the conveyor assembly also is useful for wheel mounted tires, green tires, cardboard boxes, and a variety of other products. 
         [0064]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , a tire conveyor assembly,  10 , is composed generally of a main conveyor assembly,  12 , and four side conveyor assemblies,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . The lengths of each such conveyor assemblies can be varied greatly, as can the number of side conveyors, location and arrangement of side conveyors, etc. 
         [0065]    Conveyor assembly  12  has a feed end,  22 , whereat tires enter tire conveyor assembly  10 . While the tires can be mounted on wheels, tire conveyor assembly  10  as shown is intended to operate with unmounted tires. Conveyor assembly  12  is composed of a first driven conveyor assembly,  24 , a gravity driven roller assembly,  26 , and a second driven conveyor assembly,  28 . First driven conveyor assembly  24  is driven by a hydraulic motor,  30 , and second driven conveyor assembly  28  is driven by a hydraulic motor,  32 . While all power is supply by hydraulic lines herein, it will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that pneumatic, electric, or other motive means could be used in place of and/or in combination with the hydraulic power illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0066]    A tire on powered conveyor  24 , such as a representative tire,  34 , initially encounters a centering assembly,  36 , that centers tire on conveyor assembly  24 . The tire next encounters gravity fed roller assembly  26  where the tire enters into a tire rotator and bar code reader assembly,  38 , which captures the tire and rotates the tire so that a bar code reader can read the bar code that was placed on the tire bead. The information gleaned by the bar code reader is used to determine the route that the tire will take and the operations that will be performed on the tire during its course through tire conveyor assembly  10 . 
         [0067]    The tire emergences from tire rotator and bar code reader assembly  38  and continues its gravity driven travel down roller assembly  26  and onto powered conveyor assembly  28  whereat the tire is confronted by a tire stager assembly,  39 . Stager assembly  39  urges the tire, such as a tire,  40 , to the far side of conveyor assembly  28  and up against the far side of the conveyor. Alternatively, variations of the stager system can center, or otherwise locate a tire or other product being conveyed. The reason for this operation will become apparent below. 
         [0068]    Next, tire  40  can be diverted onto one of four side tire conveyor assemblies,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . Tire  40  will be diverted onto one of these side conveyors depending up what operation yet need to be performed on the tire, which, as discussed above, is a function of the bar code on the tire. Mounted to the side opposite the side where the four side conveyors are located along powered conveyor  28  are four diverter assemblies,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48 . All of the diverters are powered except for diverter assembly  48 . 
         [0069]    First diverter assembly  42  can be actuated to push a tire,  50 , onto gravity roller conveyor assembly  14 . Second diverter assembly  44  can be actuated to push a tire,  52 , onto gravity roller conveyor assembly  16 . Third diverter assembly  44  can be actuated to push a tire,  56 , onto gravity roller conveyor assembly  18 . Finally, a tire,  58 , bumps into roller diverter assembly  48  and is shunted onto gravity roller assembly  20 . 
         [0070]    Operation assemblies,  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66 , can be one or more of a grinder, a stacker, an inspection station, an elevator, or the like. Any number of operations can be performed on a tire in addition to those operations recited herein. 
         [0071]    While many schemes can be envisioned for control of tire conveyor assembly  10 , one representative control sequence is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  where the bar code reader output,  11 , from tire rotator and bar code reader  38  is inputted into a controller,  13 , which may contain a central processor unit (CPU) or computer,  15 . Outputs,  17 A,  17 B, and  17 N for N outputs from CPU  15  may be required to be passed through digital to analog converters (D/A),  19 A,  19 B, and  19 N, for the N outputs. Analog outputs from the D/A converters are fed to diverter actuators,  21 A,  21 B, and  21 N, along with tire sensor data,  23 A,  23 B, and  23 N, which alert the actuator that a tire is in position, at which time each diverter actuator sends a signal to the diverters,  25 A,  25 B, and  25 N, to actuate and divert a tire onto a side conveyor assembly. N can be any number, provided that the CPU is capable to N outputs. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 2  relating to the powered conveyor assemblies, a belt,  68 , moves along the longitudinal extent of each powered conveyor assembly  24  and  28 . Additionally, belt  68  contains a myriad of small rollers mounted transverse to the direction of travel of belt  68 , such as a representative roller,  70 . Roller  70  permits tires to be pushed in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of belt  68  with the tire being easily movable as it moves along roller  70  and the other transverse mounted small rollers. Side frames,  72  and  74 , run the entire length of the power conveyor assemblies and are unique in structure and function, as will be revealed in greater detail later herein. 
         [0073]    At the left side of  FIG. 2  is the end of the powered conveyor assembly shown thereat, such as feed end  22  of powered conveyor assembly  24 . In particular, drive motor  30  is shown affixed to a drive roller assembly,  76 , which spans between and is retained by side frames  72  and  74 . Also spanning between side frames  72  and  74  a conveyor belt return roller assembly,  78 , and a wear bar assembly,  80 , and upon which belt  68  rests as it travels. On the return end is a conveyor belt return roller assembly,  82 , and an end return roller assembly,  84 , about which belt  68  wraps. 
         [0074]    In the side view shown in  FIG. 3 , side frame  74  is seen along with drive roller assembly  76 , return roller assembly  84 , belt return rollers  78  and  82 , and wear bar assembly  80 . In  FIG. 4 , drive roller assembly  76  is connected to drive motor  30  and spanning between side frames  72  and  76 . Side frames  72  and  74  are seen to include a lower section carrying a number of vertically oriented slots and an inwardly extending flange having a series of slots (see  FIG. 2 ). Thus, various components can be affixed to and carried by side frames  72  and  76  using both of these series of slots. 
         [0075]    In particular, a series of apertures have been formed in side frames  72  and  74  and through which the ends of roller assemblies  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  can be placed for their retention. Wear bar assembly  80  is seen retained in place by bolts,  86  and  88 , which are placed in the apertures of side frames  72  and  76  (see  FIG. 5 ). A number of such wear bar assemblies span between side frames  72  and  76  in order to support a series of longitudinally extending wear strips,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  97  (see  FIG. 2 ) which in turn support belt  68  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0076]    In  FIG. 3 , motor assembly  30  is affixed to side frame  74  by an angle bracket,  98 , which is bolted to side frame  74 . Motor  30  provides direct drive to power roller assembly  76  in the configuration illustrated; although, use of a belt drive, chain drive, or other power transmission assembly could be used. A central drive roller,  100 , is seen held in position on drive roller  76  by a pair of clips,  102  and  104 , while the other rollers “float” or are permitted to travel along the extent of roller  76  responsive to loads placed atop belt  68 . 
         [0077]    Side frames  72  and  74  are shown in side profile in  FIG. 5  and plan view in  FIG. 7  with slide bar assembly  80  bolted onto each of such side frames. Wear bar  94  is seen in the expanded view in  FIG. 6  to fit within a trapezoidally-shaped recess in wear bar  80  to form a “mortise and tenon” locking mechanism that keeps wear bar  94 , and the other wear bars, in place supporting belt  68  upon which belt  68  moves. It will also be seen that end wear bars  90  and  97  have upwardly extending flanges to help keep belt  68  in place. The wear bars terminate in terminal wear bar assemblies,  106  and  108  (see  FIG. 2 ). The slots,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 , formed in slide bar assembly  80  and which carry wear strips  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  97 , are seen in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0078]    Side frames  72  and  74  are shown in side profile in  FIG. 5  and plan view in  FIG. 7  with wear or slide bar assembly  80  bolted onto each of such side frames. Wear strip  96  is seen in the expanded view in  FIG. 6  to fit within a trapezoidally-shaped recess in holder  85  to form a “mortise and tenon” locking mechanism that keeps wear strip  96 , and the other wear strips, in place supporting belt  68  upon which belt  68  moves. It will also be seen that end wear strips  90  and  97  have upwardly extending flanges to help keep belt  68  in place. The wear bars terminate in terminal wear bar assemblies,  106  and  108  (see  FIG. 2 ). The slots,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 , formed in slide bar assembly  80  and which carry wear strips  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  97 , are seen in  FIG. 7 . From  FIG. 3 , holder  85  is seen to be an upside down “U” in configuration. 
         [0079]    In  FIG. 8 , end wear bar assembly  108  is seen in greater detail. Retention of the wear strip ends is seen in the expanded view in  FIGS. 9 and 10  specifically for slide bar  96 , but such retention is typical for all of the slide bars. Such retention includes a clip assembly,  120 , that includes a flat plate,  122 , and a notched angle plate,  124 , held together by bolt assembly,  126 , that is associated with a retention bar,  128  (see  FIG. 11 ). Notched angle plate  124  retains slide bar  96  within its notch. Tightening of bolt assembly  126  causes notched angle plate  124  to rotate against slide bar  96  in a cam-like action to firmly retain it. The simplicity of action of clip assembly  120  makes it easy to install the wear bars during initial installation, adjust the tension of clip assembly  120  during operation, and replace the wear bars when required. 
         [0080]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , drive roller assembly  76  includes a toothed drive wheel assembly,  130 , that engages belt  68 . Toothed drive wheel assembly  130  is seen in greater detail in  FIGS. 12-21  to include a pair of out outer scalloped wheels,  132  and  134  (see  FIG. 17 ), a pair of inner apertured plates,  136  and  138  (see  FIG. 16 ), a central split drive wheel,  140  (see  FIG. 15 ), a drive shaft,  142 , a central drive nut,  144  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ), and sixteen drive cups as represented by a drive cup,  146  (see  FIGS. 20 and 21 ). Each of wheels  132 - 140  is a central aperture in which drive nut  144  is disposed. The aperture in drive nut  144  is square in shape to accommodate square drive shaft  142 . The scallops of scalloped wheels  132  and  134  retain drive cup  146  and the other drive cups therebetween. The entire sandwich assembly is secured by eight nut and bolt assemblies, such as typified by nut and bolt assemblies,  148  and  150  (see  FIG. 13 ). While 16 drive cups and 8 bolt assemblies have been illustrated, obviously a greater or lesser number can be provided, as is necessary, desirable, or convenient. 
         [0081]    Returning again to  FIG. 1 , centering assembly  36  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 22-24 . In particular centering assembly  36  is seen to include a pair of paddles,  152  and  154 , whose inside faces contain a series of small rollers, such as a typical roller,  156 , to facilitate smooth contact between the paddles and tire  34  as they make contact. A pivot bar,  158 , interconnects paddles  152  and  154  and is disposed beneath the conveyor assembly. Pivot bar  158  is pivotally connected to a paddle  156 , via a drive rod (not shown). Pivot bar  158  also is pivotally connected to a swing arm,  160 . Swing arm  160  also is connected to a hydraulic piston assembly,  162 , via another drive rod,  163  (see  FIG. 23 ). Piston assembly  162  in turn is connected to side frame  74  by a bracket,  164  (see  FIGS. 23 and 24 ), through the slots provided along the top and sides of frame  74  (see  FIGS. 23 and 24 ). Such slots in side frame  74  permits centering assembly  36  to be located at any point along the conveyor assembly and to be re-located at any time in the future easily and quickly. Paddle assembly  152  is affixed to frame  72  by a bracket,  165 . Alignment of paddles  154  and  152 , is facile since brackets  164  and  165  can be adjusted along the extend of their respective rails  72  and  74 , in part due to the slots of rails  72  and  74 , and the slots of brackets  164  and  165 . 
         [0082]    Paddle  154 , then, is a driven or powered paddle, while paddle  152  is a slave paddle. The angle between the out tips of paddles  154  and  156  can be mechanically adjusted to accommodate the size of tires to be handled at any given time during operation and the resistance pressure required provided by paddles  152  and  154  against tire  34  can be adjusted by the pressure maintained in piston assembly  162 . Tire  34  will be moved to the center of belt  68  by paddles  152  and  154  with the rollers facilitating smooth movement of tire  34 . Once tire  34  reaches the center between paddles  152  and  154 , tire  34  will be pulled through the paddles by belt  68  and the slight opening of paddles  154  and  156 . Tire  34  and other tires on the belt  68  now are centered when they enter the next stage, which in  FIG. 1  is tire rotator and bar code reader  38 . Of course, other Operation assemblies, such as typified by operations assemblies  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66 , could follow centering assembly  36 . 
         [0083]    A universal bracket,  166 , is illustrated in  FIG. 25 , which can be used to affix a variety of components to the side frames. Bracket  166  will be so illustrated later in the instant description. 
         [0084]    Return again to  FIG. 1 , tire rotator and bar code reader  38  is described in greater detail in  FIGS. 26-28  with an alternative design being illustrated in  FIGS. 29-30 . A representative tire,  168 , is seen located in operative position within tire rotator and bar code reader  38  for a bar code reader assembly,  170 , to read the bar code disposed along a tire bead,  172 , located on tire  168 . A roller conveyor formed from a plurality of rollers carriers tire  168  into reader assembly  38  where a pair of pneumatic powered stops,  174  and  176  (see  FIGS. 27 and 28  in particular) raise up and stop tire  168 . A cylinder assembly,  178 , is connected to rotatable assemblies,  180 ,  182 ,  184 , and  186 , which causes rollers,  188 ,  190 ,  192 , and  194  (see, for example,  FIG. 29 ), to pivot inwardly up and against tire  168 . Each of rollers  188 ,  190 ,  192 , and  194  also are powered to rotate, thus causing tire  168  to also rotate. From  FIG. 27 , it will be seen that conveyor  26  rollers at this junction also are slightly higher in elevation than the rollers upstream and downstream of this captured position for tire  168  and split to permit the tire to rotate. Such tire rotation moves bead  172  underneath and across reader  170  to permit the bar code to be read. Once the bar code has been read, rollers  188 ,  190 ,  192 , and  194  rotate outwardly back to their home position, which releases tire  168 , which by gravity continues its travel downwardly along roller conveyor  26  to the next operation. Similarly configured bar code readers can be installed at positions where a rotatable product is moving along a driven conveyor belt. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 29 and 30  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a tire rotator and bar code reader assembly. In particular, tire  168  moves atop slightly raised and split rollers, as before, and into contact with a pair of raised stops,  197  and  199 , also as before. A pair of piston assemblies,  196  and  198 , are interconnected via a rod,  200 , to rotate a pair of rollers,  202  and  204 , from a home position spaced apart from tire  168  to a position in contact with tire  168  and into intimate contact with a third roller,  206 . Rollers  202  and  204  also rotate to cause tire  168  to also rotate with the bead,  206 , disposed beneath a bar code reader,  208 . Once the bar code has been read, the stop pins lower, the rotating rollers retract, and tire  168  moves down the roller conveyor to the next operation. 
         [0086]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , tire  40  next encounters stager  39 , which is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 31-33 . A housing,  210  (shown in phantom), protects stager  39  during plant operation. A paddle,  212 , again has a series of rollers along its face that confronts and contacts tire  40 . In this embodiment a piston assembly,  214 , is affixed a moveable swing arm,  215 , which is connected to side rail  72  by a bracket,  216 , which again can be located at any location along the extent of rail  72  (or rail  74 , if desired or required) and can be easily and readily re-located should such relocation be necessary, desirable, or convenient. 
         [0087]    In action, piston assembly  214  retracts to rotate swing arm  215  which in turn causes swing arm or paddle  212  to rotate and push tire  40  up against far side rail  74 . Side rail  74  has been fitted to a roller assembly,  218 , connected to rail  74  by universal bracket  166  (see  FIG. 25 ). Roller assembly  218  consists of an upstanding bracket portion carrying a series of rollers (described in more detail below in connection with  FIGS. 43 and 44 ) disposed at a vertical elevation for being contacted by tire  40  to facilitate tire  40 &#39;s movement as it is carried by belt  68 . 
         [0088]    Tire  50  has been moved against side rail  74  in order for it to be in proper position for being contacted by diverter  42  or by diverter  44  or by diverter  46 . Referring initially to  FIGS. 34-36  that illustrate diverter  42  in greater detail, diverter  42  is disposed within a housing,  220 , for its protection and for the protection of workers passing by. Diverter  42  includes a paddle arm,  222 , carried by an upstanding rotatable pin,  224 , that is pivotally connected to a pivot arm,  226 , that in turn is pivotally connected to a piston assembly,  228 , that in turn is connected to side rail  74 , by a bracket assembly,  230 . The pivot connection pivot arm  226  and the rod of piston assembly  228  is fitted with an elastomeric grommet,  229 , for absorbing any force transmitted back through paddle  222  when a tire is contacted. 
         [0089]    A vibration dampening system can be configured with the stager system (or with diverters disclosed below) that is constructed as a piston and cylinder arrangement, wherein the piston bears against an elastomeric compound partially filling the cylinder. A stager arm equipped with the vibration damping cylinder, when the force of an oncoming tire bears against the stager paddle, the force is initially absorbed by the compression of the vibration damping cylinder, rather than by the stager arm assembly only. Without the damping action, excessive forces may be applied to the stager paddle, or the stager pivot, resulting in accelerated failure of those components. 
         [0090]    As before, the design of side rail  74  permits bracket assembly  230  to be located at any point along the lengthwise extent of side rail  74  initially and to be relocated to any other position along side rail  74  (or side rail  72  for that matter) readily and quickly by plant personnel. Paddle  22  rotates when piston  228  extends or pushes outwardly on arm  226 . Tire  40  was pushed up against rail  74  so that tire  50  is in physical contact with arm  222  when arm  222  is activated to push tire onto side conveyor assembly  14 . If tire  50  were not in physical contact with arm  222  when activated, the force with which arm  222  would hit tire  50  would likely result in arm  222  being broken or damage. Thus, the purpose for stager  39  is revealed. 
         [0091]    Tire  52  has been shown diverted onto conveyor assembly  16  by diverter  44 . While diverter  44  is different in construction that diverter  42  (and diverter  46 ), any one of the diverters could be substituted for another diverter as is necessary, desirable, or convenient. 
         [0092]    Diverter  44  is more fully illustrated in  FIGS. 37-39  and again is housed within a cover,  232 . Diverter  44  includes a paddle arm,  234 , connected to an upstanding pivot arm,  236 , which is pivotally connected to a pivot arm,  238 , which is connected to a piston assembly,  240 , which is connected to side frame  74  by a bracket assembly,  242 . Again, bracket assembly  242  has slots, which along with the slots in side frame  74 , permit adjustment of bracket assembly  242 , locating of bracket  242  anywhere along side frame  74 , and movement readily and easily to a new location along either side frame  74  or side frame  72 . The pivot connection pivot arm  238  and the rod of piston assembly  240  is fitted with an elastomeric grommet,  239 , for absorbing any force transmitted back through paddle  234  when a tire is contacted. 
         [0093]    Diverter assembly  44  pulls to cause rotation of paddle arm  234  by retraction of piston assembly  240 . Because of this design, diverter assembly  44  takes up less space along the extent of side frame  74  than does the design of diverter assembly  42 , described above. 
         [0094]    Referring back to  FIG. 1  yet again, tire  56  has been pushed onto side conveyor assembly  18  by diverter  46 . Diverter  46  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 40-42 . Diverter  46  is located within a housing,  244 . Diverter  46  includes a pushrod assembly,  246 , that can be the rod of a piston assembly,  248 . A bracket assembly,  250 , secures piston assembly  248  to side frame  74 . A push plate,  252 , terminates pushrod assembly  246  and physically pushes against a tire to change the tires direction by 90° from belt  68  onto side conveyor assembly  18 . Again, bracket assembly  250  has slots, which along with the slots in side frame  74 , permit adjustment of bracket assembly  250 , locating of bracket  250  anywhere along side frame  74 , and movement readily and easily to a new location along either side frame  74  or side frame  72 . 
         [0095]    When tire  56  is contacted by pushplate  252 , it is possible that tire  56  may carry some forward momentum due to the movement of belt  68 . In order to accommodate for this forward momentum, a roller assembly,  254  (see  FIGS. 43 and 44 ), is provided at the upstream juncture belt  68  and side conveyor assembly  18 . 
         [0096]    Roller assembly  254  is attached to side frame  72  by a bracket assembly,  255 , and carries an upstanding roller,  256 , that urges tire  56  onto side conveyor assembly  18  and dampens any forward momentum of tire  56 . Side frame  72  also is seen to bear a roller assembly,  258 , thereabove, as illustrated earlier. 
         [0097]    Finally, any tires traveling along belt  68  that have not already been diverted reach the termination of belt  68 . For example and referring again to  FIG. 1 , a tire,  58 , contacts diverter  48 , which can simply be two upstanding plates whose faces bear a series of small rollers. Diverter  48  urges tire  58  onto final side assembly  20 . 
         [0098]    Referring an ultimate time to  FIG. 1 , side conveyor system  14  is fitted with an escapement or accumulator apparatus,  260 , which is not unlike centering apparatus  36 . Escapement apparatus  260 , however, does not merely center tires, but acts as a gate to feed tires forward to operation assembly  60  at a pre-determined rate and/or when operation assembly  60  is ready for a next tire to process. To that end, the cylinder assemblies that control the paddles that retain the tires in escapement  260  actuate to pass a tire through based on a control signal. 
         [0099]    Finally, it should be pointed out that the sequence of centering units, bar code readers, stagers, diverters, and the like, can be different in number and location from that illustrated in the drawings. In particular, such units can be used in a different order, in series or parallel, or the like, depending upon the needs of the plant and operations required. 
         [0100]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential scope. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to any particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, rather the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application the US measurement system is used, unless otherwise expressly indicated. All citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined, all terms are considered to be defined according to Webster&#39;s New Twentieth Century Dictionary Unabridged Second edition.