Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles includes an upper surface for transporting the articles and a top guide that is resiliently supported relative to the upper surface for preventing the articles from tipping over as they are transported. A plurality of resilient supporting mechanisms, such as gas springs, is provided on each of the opposite sides of the conveyor. A mechanism is provided to selectively move the top guide toward the upper surface of the conveyor against the urging of the gas springs to position the top guide at a predetermined distance relative to the upper surface of the conveyor. The mechanism includes a plurality of flexible cables having first ends that are connected to the top guide and second ends that are connected to a pair of actuating members that are supported on the conveyor for sliding movement.

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.

Abstract: A guide system for packages on a conveyor system includes a generally linear guide member. The guide member aligns the packages as they move along the conveyor system. A generally linear control member is connected to the guide member and lies generally parallel thereto. The control member can be rotated around its longitudinal axis to move the guide member in a generally arcuate path. This causes adjustment of the guide member to accommodate different sizes of packages.