Importance

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Abstract

An accumulator is disclosed in which the articles are transported on a bed of carrier rollers. Beneath the rollers a plurality of devices, arranged in tandem lengthwise of the conveyor, provide vertical support for the propelling member. Each support has a bracket pivotally mounted between its ends with a propelling member support pulley at one end and a bracket manipulating propelling member tracking roller at the other end. The tracking roller is tapered and is mounted for rotation about a shaft extending transversely of the propelling member. The shaft is longer than the roller permitting the tracking roller a limited amount of axial travel. By changing the angular relationship between the roller and propelling member, the point of contact between the propelling member and tracking roller is shifted lengthwise of the roller, resulting in pivotal movement of the bracket which raises and lowers the propelling member to effect drive and release of the carrier rollers forming the conveyor bed. Article actuated sensors control the angular position of the tracking roller.

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First Claim