| US 7,506,751 B2 | ||
| Conveyor systems for diverting objects | ||
| Matthew L. Fourney, Laurel, Md. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, La. (US) | ||
| Filed on May 20, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/123,931. | ||
| Application 12/123931 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/627132, filed on Jan. 25, 2007, granted, now 7,461,739. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/762227, filed on Jan. 26, 2006. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2008/0217138 A1, Sep. 11, 2008 | ||
| Int. Cl. B65G 47/46 (2006.01); B65G 13/02 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 198—782 [198/370.09] | 20 Claims |
| 1. A conveyor system comprising:
a conveyor belt having a plurality conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt as the conveyor
belt advances; and
a roller drive mechanism including:
a plurality of rotatable cartridges, each cartridge having a cartridge gear and a freely rotatable drive roller that engages
the conveyor belt rollers from below the conveyor belt;
a plurality of actuator gears, each engaged with one of the cartridge gears, to rotate the cartridges to change the orientations
of the rotatable drive rollers with respect to the conveyor belt rollers; and
an actuator configured to move the plurality of actuator gears to rotate the cartridges between a first orientation in which
the engagement between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt rollers causes the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first
direction as the conveyor belt advances and a second orientation in which the engagement between the drive rollers and the
conveyor belt rollers causes the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in an opposite second direction.
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