Abstract: The present disclose describes a device which has particular utility in clamping printed circuit boards which are exposed to high shock conditions. This device includes a clamping bar which is permanently deformed in its fabrication process such that it assumes a curved or arcuate configuration. Employment of the clamp device involves physical contact between the edge of the printed circuit board and the bar, and the application of forces to the extremities of the latter, by mechanical fasteners to cause it to become substantially planar. The latter condition provides an evenly distributed high clamping force to the board without any high stress points which might cause board fractures. Accordingly, the present device increases the reliability of printed circuit boards as well as the electrical components mounted thereon, by providing exceptional printed circuit board rigidity.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a system for storing and processing articles such as mail flats which cannot be processed on standard letter mail equipment. The system includes mechanical carriers for transporting and remaining with the articles throughout the processing cycle. A recirculation buffer subsystem provides temporary high density random storage which dynamically allocates the system output resources through computer control. In the buffer, the destination-encoded carriers are kept continuously moving in a closed serpentine path. Based upon system priorities, selected carriers may be taken out of buffer storage independently of the other carriers and the former reassigned to output accumulation racks where they remain until outputted from the system. The recirculation buffer subsystem provides a balance between system input and output, thereby substantially improving efficiency and providing savings in cost and space requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an improved gate for selectively diverting item-supporting carriers from a transport path on a powered conveyor to their ultimate destination via an alternate path. More specifically, the gate finds application in a mail-handling system which requires the routing of carriers during the processing operation. In this regard, selected carriers may be diverted from the conveyor belts on which they are being transported onto a gravity turn effected by the gate itself, and then permitted to continue unaided to their destination by means of an inclined rail or similar structure.