Abstract: An accumulating conveyor having a plurality of spaced article support stations. A plurality of conveyor modules are reciprocally mounted along the length of the conveyor, with each module being so mounted as to be movable between a pair of adjacent stations. Each module comprises a housing having a reciprocally mounted actuating rod, the outer ends of which are adapted to alternately engageably abut the outer ends of the actuating rods carried by the modules immediately ahead and behind. Article engaging levers carried by each module become operative upon movement of their associated actuating rods to engage an article in one of the associated support stations to transfer the article to the next advanced or forward station when the modules are reciprocated towards the unload station. Each support station has a sensing arm rotatably affixed thereto which detects the presence or absence of an article in the next advanced station.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor having a plurality of spaced article support stations. A plurality of conveyor modules are reciprocally mounted along the length of the conveyor, with each module being so mounted as to be movable between a pair of adjacent stations. Each module comprises a housing having a reciprocally mounted actuating rod, the outer ends of which are adapted to alternately engageably abut the outer ends of the actuating rods carried by the modules immediately ahead and behind. Article engaging levers carried by each module become operative upon movement of their associated actuating rods to engage an article in one of the associated support stations to transfer the article to the next advanced or forward station when the modules are reciprocated towards the unload station. Each module has a sensing arm rotatably affixed thereto which detects the presence or absence of an article in the next advanced station.