Patent Abstract:
A transfer assembly for a conveyor system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers mounted to the frame, a plurality of grooved transfer sheaves supported by the frame, and an actuator which selectively moves a group of the transfer conveyors between a retracted position and an extended position such that the transfer belt which is carried by the transfer sheaves is moved between a position below the conveying surface to a position above the conveying surface for lifting an article being conveyed on the rollers and transferring the article in a transfer direction. At least one of the transfer belt and the transfer sheaves are adapted to resist rolling of the transfer belt in the transfer sheaves when the transfer belt is subject to a lateral force from the article being transferred.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a transfer assembly and, more particularly, to a transfer assembly for transferring articles, such as boxes or the like, from a conveyor.  
           [0002]    Transfer assemblies are typically positioned between two conveyor sections and adjacent one or two transfer conveyors for selectively transferring articles from one of the conveyor sections to one of the transfer conveyors. Transfer assemblies typically transport conveyed products 90° with respect to the conveying direction of the conveyor and preferably achieve this in as little a space as possible. As an article or product is conveyed in a conveying direction across the conveyor, the transfer assembly (when actuated) diverts the product from the conveying direction to the transfer direction, which is, as noted above, typically 90° to the conveying direction.  
           [0003]    Conventional transfer assemblies include a plurality of rollers and a plurality of grooved sheaves, which are positioned between the respective rollers. The sheaves are oriented in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the rollers and are often driven by the main line drive shaft of the adjacent conveyor sections. Extending around the groove sheaves are transfer belts, which are positioned by the groove sheaves between the rollers just below the conveying surface of the rollers. When a transfer is to take place, a group of the grooved sheaves is raised such that the transfer belts positioned in the grooved sheaves are raised between the rollers to lift the articles on the rollers off the rollers and to transfer them at right angles with respect to the rollers so that the articles can be deposited on one of the adjacent transfer conveyors. It should be understood that the term “90°” or “right angle” includes clockwise and counter-clockwise 90° directions.  
           [0004]    In most applications, the transfer belts are raised under the article while the article is still moving. Since the article is moving at right angles to the transfer belt, the article induces lateral forces in the transfer belts. Typically, the transfer belts stop the forward motion of the article while transferring it laterally to the transfer conveyor. Depending on the size of the article being transferred and/or the shape of the article being transferred, their may be a tendency when the transfer belts engage the article for the lateral forces to induce the transfer belts to roll out of their respective grooved sheaves which results in increased wear of the transfer belts.  
           [0005]    Consequently, there is a need for a transfer assembly which will limit the transfer belts from rolling out of their respective transfer sheaves to thereby enhance the longevity of the transfer belts.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides a transfer assembly for positioning between two conveyor sections and one or more adjacent transfer conveyors which exhibits greater retention of the transfer belt in the transfer sheaves of the transfer assembly resulting in an increased life expectancy for the transfer belt, while maintaining sufficient engagement with the articles being transferred to transfer the articles.  
           [0007]    According to one form of the invention, a sheave assembly for a transfer assembly includes a support member, a transfer belt, and a plurality of grooved sheaves which are mounted to the support member. Each of the grooved sheaves has a groove, with the transfer sheaves supporting the transfer belt in the grooves of the respective transfer sheaves. The support member includes at least one retainer to laterally retain the transfer belt in the grooves of the transfer sheaves when the transfer belt is subject to a lateral force from an article being transferred by the transfer belt.  
           [0008]    In one aspect, the retainer comprises a bracket, which is supported by the support member. For example, the bracket may comprise a generally U-shaped bracket which straddles a respective grooved sheave. In another aspect, the bracket is supported at a respective grooved transfer sheave to thereby retain the transfer sheave in the grooves of the transfer sheaves.  
           [0009]    In another aspect, the support member includes a plurality of the retainers. For example, the support member may include two transfer sheaves at opposed ends of the support member to define end grooved transfer sheaves, with the retainers located at the end grooved transfer sheaves. In this aspect, the retainers comprise generally U-shaped members. In further aspects, the retainers are mounted to the support member. For example, each of the grooved transfer sheaves may be mounted to the support member by an axle pin with the retainers mounted to the axle pins of the respective grooved transfer sheaves to thereby mount the retainers to the support member. In a further aspect, the support member supports two of the grooved transfer sheaves at opposed ends of the support member to define end grooved transfer sheaves. The retainers are mounted to each of the axle pins of the end grooved transfer sheaves to define end retainers.  
           [0010]    In yet a further aspect, each of the end retainers comprises a U-shaped member, which includes opposed facing side members. The opposed facing side members include mounting openings for receiving the axle pin of a respective end groove transfer sheave. At least one of the mounting openings of the opposed facing side members comprises an L-shaped slot. In preferred form, both of the mounting openings comprise L-shaped slots whereby the retainer can be installed after the respective end grooved transfer sheaves are mounted to the support member.  
           [0011]    According to another form of the invention, a sheave assembly of a transfer assembly includes a support member, a transfer belt, and a plurality of grooved transfer sheaves. The grooved transfer sheaves are mounted to the support member, with the transfer sheaves supporting the transfer belt. The support member includes at least one bracket to laterally retain the transfer belt in the transfer sheaves when the transfer belt is subject to a lateral force from an article being transferred by the transfer belt.  
           [0012]    In another aspect, a first pair of the grooved transfer sheaves are mounted to opposed ends of the support member to define end transfer sheaves. A second pair of the transfer sheaves are mounted to an intermediate portion of the support member to define intermediate transfer sheaves. Another transfer sheave is mounted to the support member at an intermediate portion of the support member, but which is offset from the intermediate transfer sheaves to define an offset sheave. The transfer belt extends over the end transfer sheaves and over the intermediate sheaves and around the offset sheave to thereby form a loop around the offset sheave.  
           [0013]    In a further aspect, the support member includes at least two brackets, with one of the brackets being located at one of the end transfer sheaves to define an end bracket and another of the brackets being located at the intermediate sheaves to define an intermediate bracket to thereby retain the transfer belt in the grooved transfer sheaves. In yet a further aspect, the transfer sheaves are mounted to the support member by axle pins, with the intermediate bracket being mounted to the axle pin of a respective intermediate transfer sheave. The intermediate bracket comprises an elongate plate member having a pair of mounting openings for mounting to the axle pins of the intermediate transfer sheaves to thereby extend over the loop of the transfer belt and to laterally retain the transfer belt in the grooved transfer sheaves.  
           [0014]    In another aspect, the end bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket which straddles the respective end transfer sheave.  
           [0015]    According to yet another form of the invention, a transfer assembly for a conveyor system includes at least two conveying surfaces defining a conveying direction, a plurality of grooved transfer sheaves positioned between the conveying surfaces, and a transfer belt extending over the grooved transfer sheaves. At least one of the grooved transfer sheaves is driven and drives the transfer belt to move across the grooved transfer sheaves in a transfer direction non-parallel to the conveying direction. An actuator moves one of the conveying surface and the grooved transfer sheaves between a first position wherein the transfer belt is below the conveying surfaces to a second position wherein the transfer belt defines a transfer surface above the conveying surface for lifting an article being conveyed on the conveying surface and transferring the article in the transfer direction. The transfer assembly further includes a support member, with the grooved sheaves being mounted to the support member and the support member including at least one bracket to retain the transfer belt on the grooved transfer sheaves.  
           [0016]    In one aspect, the bracket is positioned below the transfer surface of the transfer belt. In another aspect, the support member includes a plurality of brackets to retain the transfer belt in the grooved transfer sheaves. In a further aspect, the support member supports two of the grooved transfer sheaves at opposed ends of the support member to define end grooved sheaves and at least two other grooved sheaves at intermediate portions of the support member defining intermediate grooved transfer sheaves. The end grooved transfer sheaves and the intermediate grooved transfer sheaves are generally aligned along a common axis, with two of the brackets supported at the end grooved sheaves defining end brackets and another of the brackets supported at two of the intermediate grooved transfer sheaves to define an intermediate bracket.  
           [0017]    In one aspect, portions of the support member form the end brackets. In another aspect, the brackets are mounted to the support member and may, for example, comprise generally U-shaped brackets.  
           [0018]    The present invention provides an improved transfer assembly which exhibits increased retention of the transfer belt in the transfer sheaves of the transfer assembly, thus extending the life of the transfer belt.  
           [0019]    These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor system incorporating a left-handed orthogonal transfer assembly of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of the transfer assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the transfer assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of a sheave assembly of the transfer assembly of FIG. 4;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sheave assembly of FIG. 5;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6A is a plan view of another embodiment of a sheave assembly of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view of an end retaining bracket at a discharge end sheave of the sheave assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevation view of an end retaining bracket of a charge end sheave of the sheave assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8A is a plan view of the end retaining bracket of FIG. 8;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8B is an exploded plan view of the end bracket of FIG. 8A;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an intermediate retaining bracket of FIG. 7;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of a modified intermediate retaining bracket;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of another embodiment of a transfer assembly of the present invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 is a similar view to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of a transfer assembly;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 is a similar view to FIG. 4 of the transfer assembly of FIG. 12;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14 is a similar view to FIG. 3 of a fourth embodiment of the transfer assembly of the present invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 15 is a similar view to FIG. 4 of the transfer assembly of FIG. 14;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 15A is a schematic diagram of the transfer assembly of FIG. 15;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevation of one of the sheave assemblies of FIG. 15; and  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 17 is an enlarged elevation of another sheave assembly of FIG. 15. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]    Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral  10  generally designates a transfer assembly of the present invention which incorporates retainers  102  (FIGS.  5 - 8 ) to improve the retention of the transfer assembly&#39;s transfer belt  68 , as will be more fully described below. In the illustrated embodiment, transfer assembly  10  is a left-handed orthogonal or right-angle power transfer assembly which is used for selectively transferring or diverting articles from a conveyor section, such as conveyor section  12  to a transfer conveyor, such as transfer conveyor  16 . As best seen in FIG. 1, transfer assembly  10  is positioned between two conveyor sections  12  and  14  and adjacent one or more transfer conveyors  16 ,  16 ′. In the illustrated embodiment, conveyor sections  12 ,  14  comprise roller conveyors and respectively include a plurality of rollers  18 ,  20  and support frame members,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28 , respectively, which support rollers  18 ,  20 . Rollers  18 ,  20  are driven by a belt drive system  30  and define a conveying surface and a conveying direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 1.  
         [0043]    In the illustrated embodiment, conveyor sections  12  and  14  comprise line shaft conveyor sections and include a common drive shaft  34  which drives rollers  18 ,  20  of conveyor section  12  and conveyor section  14  in a conveying direction indicated by the arrow C (FIG. 1) through transfer assembly  10 . In this manner, transfer assembly  10  may be driven by drive shaft  34 . As will be more fully described below, drive shaft  34  does not extend from  12  to  14  but instead comprises a section of a composite drive shaft with a portion of the composite drive shaft driving the transfer assembly. It should be understood that the present invention may be used with other forms of rollers, such as direct belt or padded train driven rollers or motorized rollers. Furthermore, the transfer assembly may be used in conjunction with non-roller conveyors, such as belt conveyors or the like.  
         [0044]    Each transfer conveyor  16 ,  16 ′ similarly includes a plurality of rollers  36 ,  38 , which are respectively mounted between side frame members  42   a,    42   b,  and  44   a,    44   b.  Rollers  36  define a second conveying surface and a first transfer conveying direction indicated by the arrow T 1  in FIG. 1 which is generally orthogonal to the conveying direction of conveyor sections  12  and  14 . In a similar manner, rollers  38  of conveyor  16 ′ define a third conveying surface in a second transfer direction indicated by the arrow T 2  in FIG. 1, which is similarly orthogonal to the conveying direction of conveyor sections  12 ,  14 .  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 2, transfer assembly  10  includes a plurality of input or charge rollers  48 , a plurality of output or discharge rollers  50 , and a plurality of intermediate rollers  60 , which are rotatably supported between frame members  52  and  54 . Frame members  52  and  54  preferably abut and are optionally coupled to frame members  22 ,  24  and  26 ,  28  of conveyor sections  12  and  14  (FIG. 1). In this manner, each set of rollers  48 ,  50 , and  60  define conveying surfaces which are generally coplanar with the conveying surfaces of rollers  18  and  20  of conveyor sections  12  and  14 . It should be understood, that terms input and output are being used merely as a convention to indicate direction with respect to the illustrated embodiment and in no way are intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 3, input rollers and output rollers  48 ,  50  are preferably driven rollers and are driven by belt drive system  30 . Optionally and typically, intermediate rollers  60  comprise idler rollers. Depending on the application, the number of input rollers, output rollers, and idler rollers may be increased or decreased. Again referring to FIG. 3, positioned between intermediate rollers  60  are transfer sheave assemblies  62 . As will be more fully described below, in the illustrated embodiment, transfer assemblies  62  are raised when a transfer is to take place so that a package conveyed on the conveying surfaces of the respective rollers may be lifted off the conveying surface and transferred laterally so that the package or packages can be moved and deposited on, for example, conveyor section  16 . It should be understood, however, that rollers  60  may be lowered instead, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each transfer sheave assembly  62  includes a plurality of grooved transfer sheaves  64 . Sheaves  64  are commonly mounted on a support member  67  and are arranged such that end transfer sheaves  64   a  and  64   b  are mounted at opposed ends of support member  67  and a plurality of intermediate transfer sheaves  64   c,    64   d,    64   e,  and  64   f,  which are mounted to support member  67  between end sheaves  64   a  and  64   b  along a common axis  65 . Extending over transfer sheaves  64  is a transfer belt  68 . In the illustrated embodiment, transfer belt  68  comprises a round transfer belt and preferably comprises a polyurethane transfer belt. Thus, when transfer sheave assemblies  62  are raised, belt  68  will contact the underside of the conveyed articles to thereby lift the conveyed article off the conveying surfaces of rollers  60  and move it laterally with respect to the conveyed direction.  
         [0048]    As described above, input and output rollers  48  and  50  are preferably driven rollers. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment, transfer assembly  10  includes a transverse drive shaft  70  which is supported between side frame members  52  and  54  by bearings, for example bearing blocks  72 . Mounted to axle  70  are spools  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  which are in turn drivingly coupled to input and output rollers  48 ,  50 , respectively, by drive belts  82 . In addition, positioned at both ends of shaft  70  are conventional couplings  84   a  and  84   b,  which couple to drive shafts  34 ,  34 ′ of conveyor sections  12  and  14 . In this manner, drive shafts  34  and  34 ′ and drive shaft  70  form a composite drive shaft that drives rollers  18  and  20  and rollers  48 ,  50 , and  60 . In addition, shaft  70  includes a plurality of drive pulleys or sheaves  86 , which are coupled to shaft  70 , such as by a key way or the like, such that drive pulleys  86  rotate with shaft  70 . Transfer assembly  10  further includes a second shaft  71  (FIG. 4) which is spaced from drive shaft  70  and is similarly rotatably supported between side frame members  52  and  54  by bearings, such as bearing blocks  73 , FIG. 2) similar to bearing blocks  72 . Shaft  71  includes a plurality of sheaves or pulleys  88 . As best seen in FIG. 3, bearing blocks  72 ,  73  are mounted to cross-frame members  74 , which extend transversely between side frame members  52  and  54  and are mounted thereto by fasteners, or the like, to thereby form a frame with side frame members  52  and  54  for transfer assembly  10 . Since both ends of shaft  71  are free to rotate, shaft  71  forms an idler shaft. Referring again to FIG. 4, each transfer belt  68  extends over transfer sheaves  64 , around a respective drive pulley  86 , and around a respective idler pulley  88  to form a close loop. Thus, when drive shaft  70  rotates, transfer belt  68  moves to the right (as viewed in FIG. 4) over transfer sheaves  64  to define a transfer surface for transferring articles, as described above.  
         [0049]    In order to raise transfer sheave assemblies  62  to engage transfer belt  68  with the articles being conveyed along the conveying surface, transfer assembly  10  includes a plurality of actuators  90 ,  92  (FIG. 4) which lift and lower support  67  to thereby raise and lower sheaves  64  and, further, transfer belt  68 . Actuators  90 ,  92  may for example comprise pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, or the like. For suitable electric actuators, reference is made to U.S. co-pending provisional Pat. application entitled CONVEYOR TRANSFER LIFT BOX, filed Oct. 16, 2000, Ser. No. ______ , by Ricardo Schiesser, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Referring again to FIG. 4, transfer sheave assemblies  62  are commonly mounted on a pair of supports  94 ,  96 . Actuators  90  and  92  are supported on a pair of transverse supports  98  and  100 , which are respectively mounted to transverse frame members  74  (FIG. 2) such that supports  98  and  100  are fixed and stationary. Supports  94  and  96 , on the other hand, are movably mounted to transverse supports  98  and  100  on pins  95  such that when actuators  90 ,  92  are activated to extend, supports  94  and  96  move upwardly to thereby move sheave assemblies  62  upwardly to position transfer belts  68  such that their outer surfaces (which define transfer conveying surfaces) are positioned above the respective conveying surfaces of rollers  60 . It can be appreciated from the foregoing description, since axle  70  is coupled to drive axles  34  and  34 ′ of conveyor section  12  and  14 , transfer belt  68  is continuously moving.  
         [0050]    As best seen in FIG. 5, each transfer sheave assembly  62  includes as one of its intermediate sheaves a snubber or take-up sheave  64   g,  which is similarly mounted to support member  67 . Snubber sheave  64   g  is positioned between intermediate sheaves  64   d  and  64   e  and offset below axis  65  such that when transfer belt  68  extends over intermediate sheave  64   e  and around take-up sheave  64   g  and back over intermediate sheave  64   d,  transfer belt  68  forms a loop  68   a  thereby forming two transfer conveying surfaces  68   b  and  68   c  for each transfer belt. By reducing the unsupported length of belt  68 , belt  68  can carry heavier articles, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0051]    Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, support member  67  comprise elongate plate member with a plurality of flanges  67   a,    67   b,    67   c,  and  67   d.  Flanges  67   a  and  67   c  include mounting openings  69   a  and  69   b  for securing support member  67  to transverse support members  94  and  96 . Flange  67   d  forms a mounting flange for take-up sheave  64   g  and optionally may include a slotted mounting opening to provide for adjustment of take-up sheave  64   g  so that the tension in transfer belt  68  may be adjusted.  
         [0052]    Again referring to FIG. 5, as previously noted transfer assembly  10  includes one or more retainers  102  to minimize the lateral movement of transfer belt  68  in sheaves  64  and thereby improve the retention of transfer belt  68  in sheaves  64 . As a result, the wear and tear of belt  68  in significantly reduced. In the illustrated embodiment, support member  67  includes charge and discharge end retainers  102   a  and  102   b  at opposed ends of support member  67  adjacent charge and discharge end transfer sheaves  64   a  and  64   b.  In addition, support member  67  includes an intermediate retainer  102   c  which straddles intermediate transfer sheaves  64   d  and  64   e  and thereby extends over a portion of loop  68   a  to assist in retaining transfer belt  68  in sheaves  64 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, charge end retainer  102   a  comprises a U-shaped member or bracket  104  with opposed facing sides  104   a  and  104   b.  Each side  104   a,    104   b  includes a mounting opening  106   a  and  106   b,  respectively. In preferred form, at least one of the mounting openings  106   a,    106   b  comprises an L-shaped slot and, more preferably, both openings  106   a,    106   b  comprise L-shaped slots such that the U-shaped member may be post-mounted to sheave assembly  62 .  
         [0053]    Referring again to FIGS. 8A and 8B, each sheave  64  is mounted to support member  67  on an axle pin  65   a  and is secured on its respective axle pin  65   a  by a bolt  65   b.  In order to permit free rotation of sheave  64 , one or more washers are positioned between sheave  64  and support member  67  and between sheave  64  and nut  65   b.  As will be understood by those skilled in the art, with U-shaped member  104  having a pair of L-shaped slotted mounting openings, U-shaped member  104  may be mounted onto sheave  64   a  by simply loosening nut  65   b.  Similarly, discharge end retainer  102   b  comprises a U-shaped member or bracket  104 ′ which is substantially identical to U-shaped member or bracket  104  and which is mounted to end transfer sheave  64   b.  In this manner, a single part may be used for both end retainers. However, it should be understood that brackets  104  and  104 ′ do not have to be identical.  
         [0054]    Referring to FIG. 9, intermediate retainer  102   c  comprises an elongate plate member  108  with a pair of spaced apart mounting openings  108   a  and  108   b.  In order to facilitate installation of retainer  102   c  without the need to remove respective transfer sheaves  64   d  and  64   e,  preferably each mounting opening  108   a,    108   b  comprises L-shaped slot. In this manner, bolt  65   b,  which mounts respective transfer sheaves  64   d  and  64   e  to support member  67 , need only be loosened in order to mount retainer  102   c  over the axle pins  65   a  of sheaves  64   d  and  64   e.    
         [0055]    Again referring to FIG. 6, each sheave  64  includes a pair of opposed facing sides  110   a  and  110   b,  which define therebetween a groove  111 . In the illustrated embodiment, groove  111  has a cross-section that is generally rectangular. It should be understood that the shape of the cross-section of groove  111  may be varied, however. As best understood from FIG. 6, when transfer belts  68  are driven and sheave assemblies  62  move to their extended positions, objects or articles that are transferred urge transfer belt  68  to roll out of grooves  111 . However, retainers  102 , which are positioned below the transfer surface formed by the respective transfer belt  68 , provide guides to limit the lateral movement of transfer belt  68  in its respective sheaves  64 . In this manner, when belts  68  are subjected to loads which tend to dislodge transfer belts  68 , belts  68  will roll against retainers  102  and in so doing rebound and return into their grooves  111  of sheaves  64 . Furthermore, as retainers  102  are rigidly mounted to sheave assembly  10 , retainers  102  will maintain their positions so as not to degrade over time.  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 7, discharge end retainer  104 ′ is angled upwardly with respect to sheave axis  65  at an angle in a range of 0° to 15°. However, the uppermost portions of upper edges  104   c  of sides  104   a  and  104   b  are positioned beneath the conveying surface of the respective transfer belts so as not to interfere with the transfer of the articles. Furthermore, opposed facing sides  104   a  and  104   b  are tapered so that minor rotation of retainer  102  will not cause the uppermost surface of the retainer to extend above the conveying surface of the transfer belt and yet still will provide retention of the respective belt  68  in sheaves  64 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, charge end retainer  102   a  is mounted to charge end sheave  64   a  such that U-shaped bracket  104  is generally aligned along axis  65 . Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, discharge end retainer  102   b  on discharge sheave  69   a  is angled upward to keep belt  68  securely positioned on sheave  69   a.  The angle of retainer  102   b  is dictated by the belt&#39;s path and direction. The belt&#39;s forward movement increases the likelihood that belt  68  will slip off or jump off the discharge end sheave.  
         [0058]    It should be understood that the number of sheaves  64  on transfer sheave assembly  62  may be varied. For example, referring to FIG. 11, transfer sheave assembly  10 ′ includes sheave assemblies  62 ′ with two end sheaves  64   a′  and  64   b′  and a single intermediate sheave  64   c′.  As best seen in FIG. 11, each transfer assembly  62 ′ includes a pair of retainers  102   a′  and  102   b′.  Retainer  102   a′  comprises a charge end retainer, while retainer  102   b′  comprises a discharge end retainer. For further details of retainers  102   a′  and  102   b′,  reference is made to the previous embodiment. Such a transfer sheave arrangement may be more suitable for narrower conveyors, for example for conveyors having widths on the order of 18 inches. In contrast, transfer assembly  10  may be more suitable for larger conveyor widths, such as 24 inches or greater. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the wider the conveyor, the required number of sheaves increases in order to provide adequate support to the transfer belt. In addition, the retainers may be formed as a part of the support member. For example, referring to FIG. 6A, sheave assembly  62 ″ includes a support member  67 ″ with one or more retainers  102 ″, such as end retainers  102   a″  and  102   b″,  integrally formed with support member  67 ″, for example either during the forming process of support member  67 ″ or by welding. Though not removable, retainers  102 ″ are particularly suitable for new installations. In this manner, axle pins  65   a″  are inserted through support member  67 ″ after the respective sheave  64 ″ is positioned in the end retainers ( 102   a″  and  102   b″ )  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 12, a second embodiment  210  of the transfer assembly of the present invention is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, transfer assembly  210  comprises a right-handed, orthogonal or right-angle transfer assembly. Transfer assembly  210  is of similar construction to transfer assembly  10  and includes a plurality of input rollers  248 , output rollers  250 , and intermediate rollers  260 . Input rollers and output rollers  248 ,  250  are driven rollers and are driven by a belt drive system  230  similar to drive system  30  of the previous embodiment. Intermediate rollers  260  comprise idler rollers, also similar to the previous embodiment. For further details of drive system  230 , reference is made to drive system  30 .  
         [0060]    Positioned between intermediate rollers  260  are a plurality of transfer sheave assemblies  262 , which are selectively moved to transfer articles being conveyed across the conveying surfaces of rollers  248 ,  250 , and  260  and move the articles laterally with respect to the conveying surface so that the articles can be deposited, for example, on an adjacent transfer conveyor, such as conveyor  16 ′ illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIG. 13, transfer assemblies  262  are of similar construction to transfer assembly  62  and include a plurality of transfer sheaves  264  which are mounted on a transfer support member  267 . Extending around sheaves  264  of each transfer assembly is a transfer belt  268  similar to transfer belt  68 . As described in reference to the previous embodiments, when transfer assembly  262  is raised by, for example actuators  290  and  292 , transfer belt  268  extends above the conveying surface of the respective rollers  248 ,  260 , and  250  to thereby engage the underside of the respective conveyed article so that the article can be transferred laterally with respect to the conveying surface.  
         [0062]    In the illustrated embodiment, transfer assembly  210  transfers the articles from right to left (as viewed in FIG. 13) in contrast to transfer assembly  10 . In preferred form, transfer belt  268  is driven by the respective drive shafts of the adjacent conveyor sections. However, in order to drive belt  268  in the opposite direction from transfer assembly  10 , transfer assembly  210  includes a pair of redirection pulleys  266   a  and  266   b.  Redirection pulleys  266   a,    266   b  are supported on lower transverse members  269 , which are in turn mounted flanges  252   a  and  254   a  of side frame members  252  and  254 , respectively. Similar to the previous embodiment, transfer assembly  210  includes a drive shaft  270 , which drivingly couples to the respective drive shafts of the adjacent conveyor sections, such as drive shafts  34 ,  34 ′ of conveyor sections  12  and  14 . Each belt  268  extends over its respective transfer sheaves  264 , including a take-up sheave pulley  264   g,  and, further, around a drive pulley  270   a,  which is mounted on and keyed to drive shaft  270 . Each belt  268  further extends around redirection pulleys  266   a  and  266   b  and around an idler pulley  271  a mounted to an idler shaft  271 . In this manner, when drive shaft  270  rotates in a clockwise direction, transfer belt  268  moves in a counter-clockwise direction over the respective sheaves and/or pulleys.  
         [0063]    In addition, transfer assembly  210  includes a transfer assembly  262  between every other roller  260  as compared to between each roller  60 , as in the case of the first embodiment. As it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number of transfer sheave assemblies may be increased or decreased depending on the desired load capacity of the transfer assembly.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 14, the numeral  410  generally designates another embodiment of the transfer assembly of the present invention. Transfer assembly  410  comprises a left and right-handed, orthogonal or right-angle transfer assembly. Similar to the previous embodiments, transfer assembly includes a plurality of input or charge rollers  448  and a plurality of output or discharge rollers  450 , with a plurality of intermediate rollers  460  positioned between input and output rollers  448 ,  450 . Positioned between every other set of intermediate rollers  460  are a pair of transfer sheaves  462  and  462 ′. Transfer sheave assembly  462  is of similar construction to transfer sheave  162 , while transfer sheave assembly  462 ′ is of similar construction to transfer sheave  62 . In this manner, transfer sheaves  462  transfers articles to the right, while transfer sheave assemblies  462 ′ transfer articles to the left (as viewed in FIG. 15).  
         [0065]    Transfer sheave assembly  462 ′ includes a plurality of grooved transfer sheaves  464 ′ mounted on a common support member  467 ′ which is mounted on a pair of transverse support members  494 ′ and  496 ′ which in turn are supported on frame members  498  and  500 . Positioned between transverse members  494 ′ and  496 ′ and support frame members  498  and  500  are actuators  490 ′ and  492 ′, which extend and contract to raise or lower the respective transfer sheave assembly  462 ′. Similarly, transfer sheave assembly  462  includes a plurality of grooved transfer sheaves  464 , which are mounted on a common support member  467 . Support member  467  is similarly mounted on a pair of transverse support members  494  and  496 , which are commonly mounted with support members  494 ′ and  496 ′ on frame support members  498  and  500 . In a similar manner, transfer sheave assemblies  462  are moved by a plurality of actuators  490  and  492  which are positioned between transverse members  494 ,  496  and frame support members  498  and  500 . As would be understood, when actuators  490  and  492  extend, transfer sheave assemblies  462  move to an extended position whereby their respective transfer belts  468  are moved to engage a lower-most surface of the articles to be transferred in a similar manner to the previous embodiments.  
         [0066]    Preferably, each transfer sheave assembly  462 ,  462 ′ includes one or more retainers  502 , to retain the respective transfer belt  468  and  468 ′ in their respective transfer sheaves  464  and  464 ′. Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, and  17 , each transfer assembly  462  and  462 ′ includes a pair of end retainers  502   a,    502   b  and  502   a′,    502   b′  and an intermediate retainer  502   c,    502   c′.  End retainers  502   a  and  502   a′  are of similar construction to retainers  102   a  described in reference to the first embodiment. Similarly, end retainers  502   b  and  502   b′  are of similar construction to retainers  102   b.  While intermediate retainer  502   c  is preferably similar to retainer  102   c,  retainer  502   c′  may be modified as described below.  
         [0067]    Depending on the relative proximity of sheave transfer assemblies  462  and  462 ′, it may be desirable to modify one or more of the intermediate retainers  502   c  or  502   c′  on transfer assemblies  462 ,  462 ′ so that the intermediate retainers do not contact or cause an interference. Referring to FIG. 10, retainer  502   c′  includes an elongate plate member  508 ′ with a pair of spaced apart openings  508   a′  and  508   b′,  similar to retainer  102   c.  As noted in reference to the previous embodiment, it is preferable that both openings  508   a′  and  508   b′  comprise L-shaped slotted openings to facilitate installation of retainer  502   c′  on the respective intermediate transfer sheaves of the transfer assembly without removal of the transfer sheaves. Depending on the width of transfer sheave assembly  410 , it may be necessary to shorten elongate plate  508 ′ (as shown in FIG. 10) so that the respective intermediate retainers  502   c  and  502   c′  of transfer assemblies  462  and  462 ′ will not create an interference, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0068]    While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. As previously noted, the conveying surface of the transfer assembly may be lowered instead of raising the transfer belts. In addition, the member of sheaves, sheave assemblies, and rollers, may be increased or decreased as desired. Furthermore, two concepts of this invention may also be used on a non-round belt application. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1