Abstract: A conversion frame mounts to pre-existing bolt holes in a conventional USPS tilt-tray carriage with bolts that extend into the holes which previously supported vertical axis rollers for the mechanical drive tilt-tray carriage. The conversion frame has a forward foot and a rear foot, both of which connect to a ferromagnetic driving plate. The feet elevate a connection platform above the driving plate, and provide clearance for the rotation of four positioning rollers which extend sidewardly from the platform on protruding ears. The conversion kit allows the rapid change-over of a conventional mechanical drive tilt-tray sorter system to a LIM drive system with maximum re-use of parts.

Abstract: A drive assembly has two parallel roller link drive chains which are driven by sprocket drives. The drive chains are transversely connected at spaced intervals by a dog support which has a planar base and two walls which extend upwardly from the base. The rollers of two parallel drive chain links are rotatively mounted to the walls and a plastic drive dog is attached to the support base. The drive dog has two projecting members and a base which define a depression which is radiused to accept a tow chain roller. The depression is spaced from the support base such that the horizontal rotational axis of the engaged tow chain roller and the horizontal rotational axes of the chain rollers are in the same plane. Stabilizing rollers are mounted to the support walls coaxially with the drive rollers and are supported in a formed track section. The dog support carries the shaped dog into engagement with the rollers of the tow chain.

Abstract: A continuous conveyor for elevating articles such as trayed mail has a support frame on which are mounted sprockets which drive two parallel drive chains in vertical planes. A bar is connected between the chains and a carriage is rotatably connected to the bar. The carriage has a plurality of tines which form an elevatable platform. The carriage has a center guide roller which is guided along a closed looped path by vertical guide tracks and two side rollers guided by a separate set of tracks. Spring-loaded members maintain engagement of the side rollers with the track at the lower portion of carriage travel. The apparatus is substantially open at the front and the sides to permit infeed and outfeed from either the front or the sides. The front-loading conveyors have a plurality of sprocket-driven belts and the side loading conveyors have a plurality of driven rollers which interdigitate with the tines of the carriage to permit elevation of articles in a continuous stream.