Conveyor cross switch

Abstract

A switch assembly consisting of a first surface for guiding a guide element in a first path, a second surface for guiding a guide element in a second path that crosses the first path, a first opening in the first guide surface for permitting passage therethrough of a guide element moving along the second surface in the second path, a second opening in the second guiding surface for permitting passage therethrough of the guide element moving along the first surface in the first path, a support for the first and second guiding surfaces, a cam actuator mounted for movement relative to the support between first and second positions, a switching wall mounted for movement relative to the support between a first position wherein it blocks the first opening and a second position wherein it blocks the second opening, cooperating structure on the cam actuator and switching wall for moving the wall from its first position to its second position as an incident of the cam actuator moving from its second position to its first position and for moving the switching wall from its second position to its first position as an incident of the cam actuator moving from its first position to it second position. The cam actuator is engagable by a guide element of predetermined size to cause movement of the cam actuator from its first position to its second position as an incident of the guide element moving the first path. The guide element engages the cam actuator to move the cam actuator from its second position to its first position as an incident of the guide element moving in the second path.