Sortation systems and related methods

Abstract

A conveying system for intended use in sorting articles and related methods of conveying and sorting articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first conveyor extending in a first direction and a second conveyor extending in a second direction, with the directions intersecting. A transfer conveyor, such as a transpositor conveyor, may be provided for transferring articles from one of the first conveyors to one of the second conveyors. The system may be used to sort articles delivered from one or more storage locations for distribution, or may instead be used to sort articles for delivery to one or more storage locations. Related aspects and methods are also described.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for conveying an article, comprising:
 a conveyor including a transpositor for supporting the article in a fully extended position and capable of reaching a retracted position; and   an actuator for actuating the transpositor to retract to a position between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position.   
     
     
         18 .- 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus for conveying objects, comprising:
 a conveyor including an endless belt or chain for supporting the objects being conveyed;   a base for supporting the conveyor; and   at least one hinge for connecting the conveyor to the base.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the conveyor comprises a frame for supporting the belt, and wherein the frame is connected to the conveyor. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the conveyor comprises a transpositor conveyor. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further including at least one support for supporting the conveyor in a titled condition relative to the base. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further including a coupler for releasably coupling the support with the conveyor. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the hinge includes a pin having a longitudinal axis generally aligned with a conveying direction of the conveyor. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , further including a plurality of hinges. 
     
     
         45 .- 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . An apparatus for conveying objects, comprising:
 a conveyor including an endless belt or chain for supporting the objects being conveyed;   a base for supporting the conveyor; and   a support for supporting the conveyor in a tilted condition relative to the base.   
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the support is pivotally mounted to a frame of the conveyor at one end and captured in a channel formed in the base at the other end. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , further including a coupler for coupling the conveyor to the base. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the coupler comprises at least one hinge. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the coupler comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , further comprising a retractable stripper for engaging the support in a collapsed condition of the conveyor relative to the base. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the conveyor comprises a transpositor conveyor. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the conveyor comprises at least one motor driven roller. 
     
     
         55 .- 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A method of operating a transpositor including a retractable bed, comprising:
 providing a sensor for sensing a dimension of an article being conveyed in a conveying direction; and   providing an actuator for actuating the retractable bed to move an amount in the conveying direction based on the sensed dimension of the article.   
     
     
         64 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A conveying system for conveying at least one article, comprising:
 a transpositor for conveying the at least one article;   an actuator for actuating the transpositor; and   a sensor for sensing an operating condition and halting the transpositor upon sensing an unexpected condition.   
     
     
         67 . The conveying system of  claim 66 , wherein the actuator produces a pulse train, the sensor receives the pulse train as the operating condition, and an interruption in the pulse train during a forward movement of a retractable bed of the transpositor constitutes the unexpected condition. 
     
     
         68 . The conveying system of  claim 67 , wherein an increase in a current to the actuator sensed by the sensor constitutes the unexpected condition. 
     
     
         69 . The conveying system of  claim 67 , further including an emergency stop, and wherein the actuation of the emergency stop constitutes the unexpected condition. 
     
     
         70 . The conveying system of  claim 67 , wherein the emergency stop comprises a pull cord adjacent a perimeter of the conveying system.