Abstract: A material-receptacle hanger system includes a base frame and a channeling-panel support structure depending from the base frame and being adapted for reciprocation along a reciprocation axis between a rearwardmost retracted position and a forwardmost extended position with respect to the base frame. Pivotably attached to the channeling-panel support structure are front and rear material-channeling panels. Each channeling panel is pivotable about a panel pivot axis that extends along an axis extending orthogonal to the reciprocation axis. A set of receptacle-supporting linkage members depends from each panel for the selective support of a material receptacle such as a parcel or mail sack below the channeling-panel support structure.

Abstract: A sack cart comprising a frame adapted to support at least two sacks, where the frame is rotatable about a central axis passing through the frame, a rotation mechanism is coupled between the frame and a support surface that enables the frame to be rotated about the central axis, and at least one sack support arm is selectively movable to support the sack on the sack cart.

Abstract: A structural frame assembly that is adapted to support a chute of a sorting machine, the frame assembly including two laterally spaced beams and at least one cross-beam interconnecting the two laterally spaced beams, the beams and the at least one cross-beam including a projecting edge thereon.

Abstract: An anchoring bracket is adapted for applying an anchoring force to a mount having a support stud depending from a force-distributing pad including a contact surface defined by a perimeter and adapted for supporting engagement with a support surface and an anchoring-force bearing surface opposite the contact surface. The bracket has an anchoring-force-exerting surface adapted for force-exerting engagement with the anchoring-force bearing surface of the mount and further includes at least one elongated shank which, when the bracket is oriented for anchoring, extends outside the mount-pad perimeter. Depending from at least one shank is a heel adapted for force-exerting engagement with the support surface outside the mount-pad perimeter. Situated between the anchoring-force-exerting surface and the heel is an anchoring-force application region of the shank.

Abstract: A material deflector plate system adapted for mounting below the forwardly declining surface of a material-guiding discharge chute includes a base frame for mounting rearwardly of the discharge edge of the declining surface and a deflector-plate support structure reciprocably depending from the base frame for reciprocation between rearwardmost and forwardmost positions. Hingedly depending from the support structure are alternatively collapsible and deployable first and second deflector plate sets. The system can alternatively assume storage and operative attitudes. A storage attitude is one in which the deflector plate sets are collapsed and the support structure is disposed sufficiently rearwardly with respect to the base frame that at least a majority of the length of the collapsed deflector plate sets is disposed rearwardly of the chute discharge edge.

Abstract: A material deflector plate system adapted for mounting below the forwardly declining surface of a material-guiding discharge chute includes a base frame for mounting rearwardly of the discharge edge of the declining surface and a deflector-plate support structure reciprocably depending from the base frame for reciprocation between rearwardmost and forwardmost positions. Hingedly depending from the support structure are alternatively collapsible and deployable first and second deflector plate sets. The system can alternatively assume storage and operative attitudes. A storage attitude is one in which the deflector plate sets are collapsed and the support structure is disposed sufficiently rearwardly with respect to the base frame that at least a majority of the length of the collapsed deflector plate sets is disposed rearwardly of the chute discharge edge.

Abstract: A structural frame assembly that is adapted to support a chute of a sorting machine, the frame assembly including two laterally spaced beams and at least one cross-beam interconnecting the two laterally spaced beams, the beams and the at least one cross-beam including a projecting edge thereon.

Abstract: A sack cart comprising a frame adapted to support at least two sacks, where the frame is rotatable about a central axis passing through the frame, a rotation mechanism is coupled between the frame and a support surface that enables the frame to be rotated about the central axis, and at least one sack support arm is selectively movable to support the sack on the sack cart.

Abstract: A roller conveyor extension includes a base frame having elongated parallel first and second tracks, each of the tracks having rearward and forward ends. First and second carriages reciprocate rearwardly and forwardly between the rearward and forward ends of, respectively, the first and second tracks. A roller support structure having back and front ends, and extending along an axis, supports a plurality of rollers, each of which rollers is adapted for rotational motion about a roller axis extending along an axis perpendicular to the roller support structure axis. The roller support structure is pivotably attached to each of the first and second carriages such that the roller support structure is capable of both rotational motion about a pivot axis and rearward and forward reciprocating motion with respect to the base frame.

Abstract: An anchoring bracket is adapted for applying an anchoring force to a mount having a support stud depending from a force-distributing pad including a contact surface defined by a perimeter and adapted for supporting engagement with a support surface and an anchoring-force bearing surface opposite the contact surface. The bracket has an anchoring-force-exerting surface adapted for force-exerting engagement with the anchoring-force bearing surface of the mount and further includes at least one elongated shank which, when the bracket is oriented for anchoring, extends outside the mount-pad perimeter. Depending from at least one shank is a heel adapted for force-exerting engagement with the support surface outside the mount-pad perimeter. Situated between the anchoring-force-exerting surface and the heel is an anchoring-force application region of the shank.

Abstract: An article conveyor system for handling and conveying articles, pieces, or units of mail comprises first and second conveyor belts which are adapted to have a bite section formed therebetween by means of a pinch roller forcing a portion of the first conveyor belt toward a portion of the second conveyor belt. In order to accommodate different articles, pieces, or units of mail which have different thickness dimensions, the pinch roller is mounted upon a pivot arm, and the pivot arm is operatively connected to a pneumatic actuator. Consequently, as the different articles, pieces, or units of mail are transported through the bite section of the conveyor system, the pinch roller, through means of its pivotal mounting upon the pivot arm, is able to move in a substantially reciprocating fashion or floating manner against the constant bias of the pneumatic actuator so as to accommodate the different articles, pieces, or units of mail.

Abstract: The invention provides a robotic gripper mechanism having a thin, protrusion-free profile for maneuvering through tight areas, which mechanism includes a finger assembly mounted at the distal end of a gripper arm, which arm extends from a movable housing. The finger assembly is normally biased to a retracted position, but may be moved to an extended operative position by a drive member operating on a slide in the arm through suitable intermediary components. The invention also includes a mechanism for permitting retraction of the arm when an obstacle is encountered during vertical downward movement of the gripper mechanism so as to protect the arm and the finger assembly from damage.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving trays in a longitudinal direction and a position correcting device for the trays. The trays have opening in two opposite walls but do not have such openings in two other opposing walls. The conveyor is arranged to convey trays along a longitudinal path. A tray rotating arm is positioned adjacent to the conveyor and has a tray handle engaging finger and is constructed and arranged to only engage a tray handle when the tray is in an incorrect orthogonal position. There is also a bumper downstream of the arm for engaging the side of a tray so rotated for completing the tray rotation initiated by the tray rotating arm. The arm has a cam surface for being moved by a tray away from such tray on the conveyor, and the arm is biased toward contact with a tray as it moves past the arm on the conveyor. The finger projects in the same direction as the cam surface.