Patent ID: 7975829

Claim:
A diverter assembly connected with a product primary conveyor apparatus for changing direction of travel of a product being carried by said primary conveyor apparatus to a side conveyor apparatus, said conveyor apparatus including a first side frame and an oppositely disposed second side frame supporting a conveyor belt rotating betweens said first side frame and said second side frame, which comprises: (i) a diverter piston assembly affixed to said first side frame; (ii) means for absorbing transmitted force comprising a diverter pivot arm pivotally affixed to said first side frame, and pivotally connected to said diverter piston assembly with an elastomeric component; and (iii) 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 onto a side conveyor disposed opposite said diverter, said elastomeric component absorbing force transmitted back through the diverter paddle when a product is contacted by the diverter paddle.