Sortation conveyor

Abstract

A sortation conveyor includes elongated slats, of rectangular configuration, travelling in pairs along an endless path. The conveyor is characterized by unique diverters, and mounting assemblies therefor. The diverters are formed of a durable plastic, with an additive for lubricity. The additional lubricity allows the bearing surfaces of the diverter to slide laterally along the adjacent pair of slats, with reduced friction. A metal I-beam insert strengthens the web of the diverter, while reducing the thickness thereof; the reduced thickness allows the web of the diverter to pass easily between adjacent pairs of slats. The diverter pin has flat sides, in horizontal cross-section, for cooperation with pin guides and switches. Two urethane blocks fill the hollow shell at the upper end of the diverter, and the protruding edges of the blocks are angled to impart a downward force to a package striking same. The sides of the web are angled to lift, and sweep out, debris that may fall into the narrow gap defined between adjacent slats of each pair. The leading edge of the diverter is curved downwardly to prevent thin parcels, such as envelopes, from slipping thereunder. End caps are bolted into engagement with central apertures in each slat of a pair of slats, and the heads of the bolts are received in slots in a side carriage plate. The carriage plate is secured, in turn, to one of the endless drive chains that advances the sortation conveyor along its path of travel. The bolts enable the quick assembly, and disassembly, of the mounting assembly, so that the slats and diverters can be repaired and/or replaced, as needed, with simple manual tools.