Patent ID: 8234996

Claim:
A sort station communication system comprising: at least one outer support member defining a channel along a first longitudinal axis of said at least one outer support member, said channel having a first end opposite a second end and an inner width; and an elongated inner member extending along a second longitudinal axis and having a first end opposite a second end and an outer width, said outer width of said elongated inner member being smaller than said inner width of said at least one outer support member; wherein: said elongated inner member is slideably disposed within said channel of said at least one outer support member such that: (A) a first status is indicated by said first end of said elongated inner member being disposed at a first position proximate said first end of said channel, and (B) a second status is indicated by said second end of said elongated inner member being disposed at a second position proximate said second end of said channel; and said first position and said second position are spaced apart axially from each other.