Abstract: For use with an elongate conveyor belt designed to transport articles from one location to another, a novel pusher device mounted adjacent one long side of the belt. The pusher device utilizes an elongate, rotatably mounted arm having first and second ends, with the first end being pivotally affixed at a location relatively close to the belt, and arranged to rotate about the fixed pivot for less than 90°. The arm normally resides in an inactive position extending along the long side of the belt, with the second end of the arm being arranged to move outwardly, on occasion, from the inactive position and across at least a portion of the belt when an article is to be deflected off of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor arranged to travel along a prescribed path, the upper surface of which conveyor being constituted by a comparatively large number of separate segments, with each segment supported by a carriage member. The conveyor utilizes a substantial number of interconnected carriage members, with at least one elongate linear sprocket attached to each carriage member. Each linear sprocket has a number of consistently spaced, generally downwardly directed teeth, which are successively brought into operative contact with components of a powered endless chain that is disposed under, and in general alignment with, the intended path of travel of the carriage members.