Abstract: A roller conveyor includes a frame having a plurality of roller rotatably supported thereon by respective pairs of roller bearings. A drive system is provided for selectively rotatably driving each of the plurality of rollers. The drive system includes a gear secured to each of the plurality of rollers and a plurality of belts extending between adjacent ones of the gears. As a result, rotation of one of the gears causes rotation of the adjacent one of the gears. The belts are toothed timing belts that are arranged in a two-column, staggered manner along the roller conveyor. The roller conveyor is well suited for relatively high speed operation.

Abstract: A transfer system that moves packages on a conveyor to an accumulator and back thereto includes a plurality of spaced-apart rollers which rotate to transport the packages. The accumulator includes a plurality of storage shelves, each of which is formed from a plurality of spaced apart fingers. The transfer system includes a support structure, an actuator for moving the support structure a predetermined vertical distance and a predetermined horizontal distance, and a plurality of transfer fins secured to the support structure. Each transfer fin has a relatively small thickness and is adapted to fit within a space between a pair of adjacent rollers used in the conveyor and a space between a pair of accumulator shelf finger. The space between the rollers and the space between the accumulator fingers are generally aligned such that the fins can be moved vertically to supportably lift the package off of the conveyor rollers and moved horizontally to deposit the package on the accumulator shelves.

Abstract: A guide system for packages on a conveyor system having one or more curved sections is described. The guide system includes an adjustable guide member having a shape corresponding to the shape of the conveyor system for aligning and guiding the packages on the conveyor system. The guide system also includes a plurality of generally linear, control members for adjusting the position of the guide member so as to accommodate different sizes of packages. In the curved section of the conveyor system, the control members are spaced apart in an end to end fashion and extend at an angle .alpha. relative to one another. A coupling device is used to operatively connect a first control member to a second control member such that rotation of the first member will cause the second member to rotate. In one embodiment, the coupling device is a partial revolution universal joint. The partial revolution universal joint includes a directionally sensitive, flexible arm assembly and a tie rod assembly.