Gear switch and trolley stop for a conveyor assembly

Abstract

A switch assembly for a conveyor is provided. The switch assembly includes a rail section forming a portion of the conveyor assembly. The switch assembly has a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis and carrying a first gate and a first gear, and a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate and a second gear, the second pivot axis being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the rail section from the first pivot axis, and the second gear in rotational engagement with the first gear. A trolley stop assembly for a conveyor is also provided. The trolley stop includes a body having a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of a rail section. A pivot member extends through the body and at least a portion of the rail section. A stop member is carried by an upper portion of the body, the stop member including a rail section portion and a stop portion. A weighted member is also carried by the body arranged to position the stop member for engagement with a trolley. A conveyor assembly including a switch assembly and trolley stop is also disclosed.

1 . A switch assembly for a conveyor comprising:
 a rail section forming a portion of the conveyor assembly;   a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis, the first gear assembly carrying a first gate and a first gear; and   a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate and a second gear, the second pivot axis being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the rail section from the first pivot axis, and the second gear in rotational engagement with the first gear.   
   
   
       2 . The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail section is a first rail section, further comprising a second rail section operably connected to the first rail section, and wherein the switch assembly is arranged to engage the first gate with the first rail section and the second gate with the second gate section. 
   
   
       3 . The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear and second gear each include at least one gear tooth, the at least one gear tooth of the first gear in communication with the at least one gear tooth of the second gear. 
   
   
       4 . The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly is attached to a conveyor assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear and second gear each include a plurality of gear teeth, the plurality of gear teeth of the first gear engage the plurality of gear teeth of the second gear. 
   
   
       6 . The switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail section further comprises a mounting portion for carrying the first and second gear assemblies. 
   
   
       7 . The switch assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising first and second pivot members carried by the mounting portion, wherein the first and second gear assemblies are pivotable about the pivot members. 
   
   
       8 . The switch assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising first and second pivot members carried by and pivotable on the mounting portion. 
   
   
       9 . A trolley stop assembly for a conveyor comprising:
 a body having a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of a rail section;   a pivot member extending through the body and at least a portion of the rail section;   a stop member carried by an upper portion of the body, the stop member including a rail section portion and a stop portion; and   a weighted member carried by the body arranged to position the stop member for engagement with a trolley.   
   
   
       10 . The trolley stop assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the trolley stop is positioned on-center with the rail section. 
   
   
       11 . The trolley stop assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the weighted member is carried by a lower portion of the body. 
   
   
       12 . The trolley stop assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the stop member includes a gate member receiving portion adapted to receive a gate member from a rail switch assembly. 
   
   
       13 . The trolley stop assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the stop member and the weighted member are positioned between the first side portion and the second side portion of the body. 
   
   
       14 . A conveyor assembly comprising a switch assembly for use in directing items along various paths in a rail system, wherein said switch assembly comprises a first rail section and a second rail section, a first gear assembly pivotable about a first pivot axis and carrying a first gate and a first gear, a second gear assembly pivotable about a second pivot axis and carrying a second gate and a second gear, the second pivot member being positioned below a plane extending perpendicular to the first rail section from the first pivot axis, the second gear in rotational engagement with the first gear, a trolley stop positioned on the second rail section having a body with a first side portion and a second side portion arranged to be disposed on first and second sides of the second rail section, a pivot member extending through the body and at least a portion of the second rail section, a stop member carried by an upper portion of the body, and a weighted member carried by the body and arranged to position the stop member for engagement with a trolley when the first gate is engaged with the first rail section. 
   
   
       15 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising an additional rail section connected to at least one of the first rail section and the second rail section. 
   
   
       16 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a trolley for movement along the rail sections. 
   
   
       17 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a drive chain having a pusher dog in operable relation to the conveyor assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a bridge operably connecting the first rail section and the second rail section. 
   
   
       19 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising an additional trolley stop attached to at least one of the second gear assembly. 
   
   
       20 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first rail section is a straight rail section and the second rail section is a curved rail section.