Abstract: An improved braking roller apparatus for preventing unintended movement of cargo containers within cargo compartments of the character found in cargo transport vehicles such as cargo aircraft. The improved braking roller apparatus includes highly novel, internal friction producing elements that smoothly and effectively resist rotation of a pair of cooperating rotors which are driven by a uniquely configured ULD engaging outer housing. The rotors and the cooperating friction elements in turn cooperate with a one way roller clutch assembly in a manner to positively impede rotation of the cargo container engaging outer housing in a first direction which allowing its free, unrestricted rotation in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A ball transfer deck facilitates movement of heavy loads across the deck over an array of ball transfer units while reducing attendant operating noise. An annular elastomeric sleeve isolates the upper flange of each individual ball transfer unit from direct contact with the deck, thereby reducing noise generated by the contact between the ball transfer unit and deck. An associated pin stop mechanism is also installed in the ball transfer deck and can be selectively engaged to prevent the movement of a particular load across the deck. To decrease the probability of damage to the deck and increase the stability and strength of the pin stop mechanism, the preferred pin stop mechanism includes a wide upper flange that allows the pin stop mechanism to be easily attached to an upper surface to the deck.

Abstract: A stop assembly includes a drive arm and a stop arm with a backside configured to direct a reaction force applied by the stop arm to the drive arm when the stop arm engages a workpiece. The drive arm pivots between pre-locked and unlocked positions in response to movement of the reciprocatable member between extended and retracted positions. The motion range includes a locked position between the pre-locked and unlocked positions. The stop arm is pivotally mounted to the body and has a front side for engaging a workpiece, while the backside engages the drive arm. The stop arm backside is configured such that the reaction force has a component normal to the drive arm plane when the drive arm is between the pre-locked and locked positions, and such that the reaction force is substantially coplanar with the drive arm plane when the drive arm is in the locked position.

Abstract: The decelerator pin is supported on a pin stop of the type used to locate a jigskid at a manufacturing location. The decelerator pin is supported with pivotal movement between a first position wherein it is positioned ahead of the pin stop with respect to the path of travel of the jigskid and a second position wherein the jigskid engages the pin stop. The decelerator pin is operatively connected to a shock absorber which slows the movement of the jigskid as it approaches the pin stop.

Abstract: A vehicle-top roof rack and boat mounting system for mounting a boat atop a roof of a car, the rack and mount is provided with a plurality of roof couplers attachable on the car roof, a plurality of crossbars attachable to the roof couplers, and a boat mounting system comprising a plurality of boat mounts. Each of the boat mounts include a crossbar grip coupled to the crossbar, a mounting frame coupled to the grip, a gimbal coupled to the mounting frame, and a roller support coupled to the gimbal. The gimbal allows the roller support to pivot with two degrees of freedom about a central gimbal point to adapt the mount to variously shaped boat hulls and to the varying curvature of each boat hull. The gimbal also adapts for the angle of loading in a one-person loading/unloading operation.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor is comprised of freely rotatable rollers which include non-displaceable rollers rotatable about stationary axes, and weight-sensitive rollers which are downwardly displaceable under the weight of heavy articles. The non-displaceable rollers are arranged in groups. Upper portions of the non-displaceable rollers of each group define a profile plane. The profile planes of successive groups are mutually parallel and offset downwardly from one another to form a stepped conveying path. When the weight-sensitive rollers are depressed by heavy articles, they will engage, and be braked by, braking rollers disposed therebeneath. An upper portion of each weight-sensitive roller lies in the profile plane of the immediately upstream group of non-displaceable rollers.

Abstract: A stop, particularly for automatic processing or conveying apparatuses, has a stop member (28) for objects moving in a plane of movement in a work movement direction (29) disposed on a base body (10). The stop member (28) is pivotably seated on a holding element (27) so as to be moved in and out of the plane of movement by a control member (16) and to pivot about a pivoting shaft (32). The holding element can be moved, together with the stop member (28), by the control member (16). A first region (34) of the stop member (28) that extends downwardly from the pivoting shaft (32) holds the stop member in its pivoted working position. In this position, a second region (35) of the stop member (28) projects into the plane of movement when the control element (16) is not actuated.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.

Abstract: Pallet separator including a pedal located at a downstream end of a storage chute. The pedal is connected via a tie to a stop such that movement of the pedal by a load causes movement of the stop which retains and separates loads arranged upstream of the load acting upon the pedal. The pallet separator also includes a delay device in the form of a controlled leak jack whose rod stroke extends from a delay start position and a delay end position. The jack is capable of maintaining the stop in an active position for sufficient time to allow removal and handling of the downstream load before arrival of the next load at the end of the chute.

Abstract: A brake for tandem wheels comprising a block that is shaped to conform to a portion of the circumferential surface of each of the wheels. The block is positioned to be in continuous frictional engagement with the circumferential surface of each of the wheels so that a constant force is applied to each of the wheels. When one of the wheels is stopped due to an external force, the mechanical forces that are built through the continuous frictional engagement result in the block exerting a braking force against the circumferential surface of the other wheel.

Abstract: A cart includes at least one bed of rollers for receiving, supporting and discharging a workpiece such as a burn-in board for semiconductor component testing. The cart includes a locking mechanism which does not need manipulation by an operator to positively lock the workpiece in place once put on the roller bed. Positive manipulation of the locking mechanism is then required for workpiece discharge and maximum operator safety.

Abstract: A linear pallet stop smoothly decelerates a heavy pallet propelled by a conveyance system in a downstream direction and stops the pallet at a predetermined location. The linear pallet stop comprises a catch arm that is translatable and rotatable between three positions. At the first position, the catch arm first end is in the pallets path to be contacted by the pallet and translated in the downstream direction by the pallet momentum. The downstream translation is resisted by a fluid circuit acting through a cylinder and a slide that is in support contact with the catch arm. A stop surface on the catch arm strikes a fixed surface on the conveyance system at a second position of the catch arm. By retracting the slide with the fluid cylinder when the catch arm is in its second position, the catch arm rotates to a third position whereat its first end is out of the pallets path. The catch arm is guided for translation and location by cam followers that are captured within slots in housings.

Abstract: A brake device for a conveyor has two load supporting conveyor rollers rotatable to enable a load thereon to be transported along the conveyor. The load supporting rollers are movable transversely to their axes of rotation by a load passing thereover against a resilient bias into engagement with a brake roller adapted to brake rotation of the conveyor rollers. The braking force exerted by the brake roller is dependent at least in part upon the weight of the load on the conveyor rollers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pallet-support rail for the conveyance of pallets and containers, the rail having a pallet-support chain (2, 2a to 2d) designed in the form of a roller chain with a multiplicity of support rollers (11) spaced one behind the other at equal intervals, a rolling surface (4) on which the rollers (11) run and a multiplicity of support links (9) connected to the rollers (11) and designed to be displaced by the rollers (11) along the rolling surface (4). The invention ensures ease of operation and compact design by virtue of the fact that means for lateral control of the support rollers (11) are fitted to the support rollers (11).

Abstract: A gravity accumulation conveyor apparatus for transporting objects from an upstream end to a downstream end under the influence of gravity as the objects traverse a plurality of rollers, the apparatus having at least one roller zone including a plurality of nondriven rollers having an upstream roller and a spaced downstream roller. A flexible connector such as an O-ring is in mechanical engagement with only the upstream roller and the spaced downstream roller such that only the upstream roller and the downstream roller move in synchronism. When a first object is stopped on the downstream roller, a second object engaging the upstream roller also tends to be stopped. When the first object moves on the downstream roller, the second object engaging the upstream roller is caused to move.

Abstract: A roll-off trailer or truck bed for hauling cargo includes a cargo controlling mechanism that allows for the controllable removal of the cargo. The roll-off trailer characteristically includes a plurality of rotatable rollers disposed transverse to the longitudinal length of the trailer. The cargo controlling mechanism includes a brake mechanism preferably associated with at least several of the plurality of rollers. When actuated, the brake mechanism retards, stops, or nonrotatably restrains rotational movement of the rollers in order to slow down or stop the off-loading of the cargo. Actuation of the brake mechanisms may be accomplished through hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, mechanical, or other means. Each brake mechanism may be separately controlled by the operator in order to selectively retard the rotation of the desired roller. Alternatively, a number of brake mechanisms may be linked together to constitute a group. A control assembly regulates the brake mechanisms of the group.

Abstract: A stop for a conveyor includes an inflatable bladder to lift products up, off of the conveyor.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor system is disclosed including a device for actively stopping the rotation of the conveyor rollers following disengagement with a conveyed article after it passes thereover and in advance of a next succeeding article. This allows each article to accelerate an engaged roller from a rest position so that precise transport control is effected without the use of positive drive mechanisms. Accurate control for throughput and accumulation results from cooperation between brake assemblies associated with each conveyor roller, a sensor assembly and a pneumatic control assembly, each combination of which acts in an operational zone. The rotation of the rollers is preferably stopped as a function of the sensed position of articles along the system.

Abstract: A gravity type roller conveyor for conveying articles has a plurality of rollers mounted on an elongated support member which is movingly positioned within a base. The base is made of at least two components from a plurality of interchangeable modular components which can be assembled in a variety of ways to produce a base which fits within given requirements. The cases are releasably secured to a frame to complete the conveyor. The frame has a plurality of mounting holes in order to easily allow the changing in width of the conveyor. The base incorporates one or more skid plates to stop the articles on the conveyor. An elongated hose is positioned between the base and the support member and, when inflated, causes the support members to raise rollers upwardly so that the rollers project above the skid plates.

Abstract: A pallet brake track assembly for use in an inclined pallet flow system to maintain slow movement of descending loaded pallets and including, in its most preferred embodiment, first and second frame members extending in parallel to form an extended inner channel, a plurality of inner axles transversely connected between the first and second frame members and located within the extended inner channel, a plurality of inner wheels rotatably mounted on the plurality of inner axles, a plurality of inner cylindrical spacers with axial slits for snap-on assembly coaxially connected around the plurality of inner axles, a brake apparatus located at least partially within the extended inner channel and including a support assembly connected to the first and second frame members and a cylindrical brake drum with a rubber contact surface rotatably connected to the support assembly, a plurality of outer axles connected to at least one of the first and second frame members adjacent to the brake apparatus, each of the outer

Abstract: A load separating mechanism for a roller conveyor includes an actuating member pivotally mounted at a discharge point on the conveyor and a stop member pivotally mounted at a load holding point upstream from the discharge point. The actuating member and stop member are operatively connected so that the stop member assumes a load blocking position to arrest further movement of the loads when a load load at the discharge point depresses the actuating member. The actuating member is biased to an extended position to cause the stop member to assume a load releasing position when the lead load is removed from the conveyor. The return of the actuating member to the extended position is delayed for a predetermined period after the lead load is removed from the discharge point.

Abstract: A stop for stopping articles moving along a conveyor includes a stop arm mounted for rotation about a cam shaft, which, when rotated, moves said stop arm from an extended position to a retracted position.

Abstract: A stop mechanism mountable on a powered conveyor, such as a conveyor having continuously-driven drive rollers which support and drivingly move loads such as pallets. The stop mechanism is mounted directly under and between sidewardly-spaced drive rollers to permit use of through shafts between sidewardly-spaced pairs of drive rollers. The stop mechanism has a vertically-oriented stop lever which projects upwardly for contacting a moving load, which contact effects limited vertical swinging of the lever into engagement with a fixed stop. The lever is coupled to a hydraulic shock absorber which effects rapid deceleration of the load to cause cushioned contact thereof with the fixed stop. The shock absorber preferably has an internal orifice arrangement associated with a pressure chamber which results in the orifice flow area progressively decreasing as the stop lever is moved by the load to provide more optimum control over liquid pressure and control over the resistance force imposed against the load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated integrated work station for handling goods within distribution and production environments. In one of the preferred embodiments the work station is specifically adapted for consolidating goods.

Abstract: A conveyor roller brake that is preferably carried within the confines of a conveyor roller and includes a friction surface carried by the conveyor roller and a brake shoe that is maintained continuously in biased engagement with the friction surface and is selectively engageable for disengageable with respect to a nonrotatable hub element thereby selectively permitting the brake shoe to rotate freely with the conveyor roller in frictional engagement with the friction surface, or to be arrested in its rotation so that relative rotation of the roller with respect thereto provides continuous roller braking through frictional sliding of the brake shoe in biased engagement with the friction surface.

Abstract: A pallet transport device having a securing element positioned between two longitudinal rails in projections of a non-driven pallet transport device. A shaped body is seated on an axle. When docking with a driven pallet transport device, each projection is pushed into a docking receptacle so that a lower, shaped activation surface contacts and pushes the shaped body into a specified position. The shaped body thus pivots about an axis and the pallet can be displaced as desired. When the pallet transport device is undocked, the shaped body pivots upwards and the securing surface locks the pallet in a locking direction. Thus, the pallet transport device can be locked or unlocked without external help and has a high degree of operational dependability.

Abstract: A trailer and method for unloading onto the ground or like surface using an unarticulated frame and no power sources other than the tractor or prime mover. The frame supports three rows of overlapping transverse rollers and has a tail-end roller substantially across its width. A wheeled carriage is mounted to the underside of the frame, so that it can be longitudinally shifted. When mounted on a conventional "fifth wheel" connection to the tractor, shifting of the carriage forward lowers the tail end of the frame which pivots downward about the connection to the trailer. Shifting the carriage back raises the tail. A pair of ground rollers is provided at the tail of the trailer which contacts the ground as it is lowered. A load may be placed onto the ground by unlocking the carriage, applying the brakes to the wheels of the carriage and backing up the tractor-trailer.

Abstract: A tandem braking system for use in gravity conveyors to control the speed of loaded pallets travelling thereon, especially pallets which have non-continuous support surfaces or support surfaces which are aligned perpendicular to the direction of travel. A brake roller is mounted below the conveyor support plane. Two floating rollers with pliable surfaces are rotatably mounted above the brake roller and rise above the conveyor support plane. Engagement of the tandem brake roller causes downward movement and compression of the floating rollers and causes a braking force to be exerted on the pallet base.

Abstract: A pair of blade stop devices are attached to the sides of a part conveyor. Each blade stop device includes a stop member pivotally mounted on a frame member. The stop member is normally held by a spring in a stop position wherein it projects above the upper surface of the part conveyor. A cable/actuator mechanism is operable to pivot the stop member to a retracted position wherein the stop member is below an upper surface of the part conveyor.

Abstract: The invention herein is concerned with not only limiting the velocity of packages on a downwardly inclined conveyor trackway, but effecting a cyclically operable system of brake assemblies that not only brake the flow of packages down the trackway but effect reversal of groups of rollers in the trackway for short periods of time so that gaps are created between packages as they accumulate at the end of the trackway so that the pressure between packages is redudced so as not to damage the contents. The brake assemblies are distributed in adjacent series along the trackway and operate in association with different groups of rollers and in timed cycles so that packages are prevented from developing a free or unretarded flow under gravity influence.

Abstract: For a roller track for a storage rack arranged for gravitational flow of load-bearing pallets, an elongate stop having a hooked end and being made from a polycaprolactum (nylon 6) of a suitable grade having a tensile strength of at least about 11,800 psi, a modulus of at least about 400,000 in flexure, and an inpact strength of at least about 1 foot-pound per inch of notch in the Izod test. A roller track for such a rack comprises two parallel walls, a longitudinal array of freely rotatable rollers journalled therebetween so as to extend upwardly from a space therebetween, and such a stop mounted therebetween, at a lower end of the roller track, so that the hooked end points upwardly.

Abstract: A system for the order collection of boxes, cases, crates and containers having gravity roller tracks arranged in adjacent rows, provided with a crate supplier along the high feed-in side and an order discharge track along the low discharge side. According to the invention, the boxes, cases, crates and containers are transferred by a transfer device from the lower end of a gravity roller track either onto an order discharge conveyor extending along the lower discharge side or over this discharge track onto a short storage track aligned with the gravity roller conveyor.

Abstract: The system is a plurality of wall board conveying sections which when interconnected form the wall board conveying system for the distance desired. In the preferred embodiment, each section provides a horizontally extending track frame housing a plurality of spaced apart freely rotating roller members throughout its length. Adjacent each roller there is further provided a first pair of lower free rotating guide wheels making contact with the front and back side of the wall board as it is conveyed along the rollers. There is further provided a second upper pair of free rotating roller guide wheels extending a distance above the lower guide wheels to a point approximately above the mid-point of the wall board being conveyed on edge, the guide wheels also positioned in making contact with both the front and back side of the sheet of wall board, and supporting it on edge as it is being conveyed along the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor and an article retarder for slowing or stopping articles on the conveyor. The retarder comprises a trigger, a first switch engageable b the trigger when the trigger is struck by an article, a second switch connected to the first switch and to an actuator and a brake engaged by activation of the actuator. The first and second switch include a time delay such that, when triggered, the actuator engages the brake and after a predetermined period of time, the actuator disengages the brake thereby allowing the article to continue along the conveyor at a reduced speed.

Abstract: A zoning conveyor (10) formed of a plurality of drive rollers (14) upon which are mounted sleeves (40) normally capable of rotating with the drive rollers by frictional contact therewith, but capable of being stopped while the drive rollers continue to rotate. Connecting structures (44, 46 or 78, 80) are provided for interconnecting selected sleeves (40) within a selected zone in such a manner that the selected sleeves within the zone all have the same rotational speed. Stop structures are provided which are capable of stopping at least one of the selected sleeves within a zone from rotating whereby all selected sleeves within the zone are caused to be stopped from rotation by the connecting structures. The stop structure may be a gate (48), a brake in the form of a disk (60) and a shiftable element (64) capable of engaging the disk to prevent its rotation.

Abstract: A trailer wherein a body frame supports front and rear wheels rotatably at the left and right side portions thereof; a cargo base member has a plurality of rotors for transferring a cargo, arranged rotatably and in a mutually spaced manner on the cargo base member; and stoppers are provided at the front, rear, left and right portions of the body frame and the central portion of the cargo base member so that the stoppers can be vertically moved by operating rods connected to all of the stoppers for holding the cargo on the cargo base member. The front, rear, left and right stoppers are urged so that the stoppers normally project to a level higher than the upper surfaces of the rotors on the cargo base member. The central stopper is provided pivotably and movable vertically so that the cargo can be rotated easily on the cargo base member.

Abstract: A transporting arrangement, specifically suited for use in a storage rack, employing gravity-urged wheel-supported buggies for storing and transporting goods. The buggies are rollingly supported on elongated rails having flat support surfaces for engagement with the buggy wheels, and a pulsating activating device coacts with and extends longitudinally along the apparatus for causing the buggy to be cyclically relatively moved into and out of engagement with a longitudinally elongated brake in a repetitive manner to permit the buggy to move by gravity in a controlled steplike manner downwardly along the inclined support rails.

Abstract: An adjustable brake for a conveyor roller formed of a tube mounted upon a coaxial shaft extending through a support hub includes a resilient washer-like pad on the end face of the roller, a similar pad on the adjacent hub face and a series of balls compressed between the pads. The end of the shaft extends outwardly of the hub, through a conveyor support rail, and threadedly engages a nut. Adjustment of the nut adjustably presses the support hub towards the roller end to adjustably squeeze the balls between the rings. The balls resiliently compress the portions of the rings that they contact to embed into the ring surfaces and form momentary depressed sockets in the ring surfaces. Rotation of the roller relative to the support hub causes rotation of the balls and corresponding displacements of the depressed sockets which produces resilient resistive forces upon the balls to retard the speed of rotation of the roller.

Abstract: Conveyor element with spaced rollers, including a main body with bores which contain plungers that are movable by means of an inflatable bladder.

Abstract: Workpieces are supported on pallets which are advanced by a continuously driven power-and-free conveyor adapted to permit each pallet to dwell in a work station when the pallet is stopped in the work station during continued driving of the conveyor. As each pallet approaches the work station, it is gradually decelerated and cushioned by a swingable stop which, after stopping the pallet, is shifted transversely to lock the pallet rigidly in an accurately fixtured position in the work station. A single pneumatically operated actuator serves to shift the stop transversely from a position in which the stop catches a pallet to a position in which the stop fixtures the pallet and then to a position in which the stop releases the pallet.

Abstract: A gate is provided for temporarily stopping a flow of objects moving along a conveyor. The gate is operated by a pneumatic actuator which overcomes the force of a spring to close the gate. The spring which holds the gate open is preferably a helical torsion spring which exerts relatively even force against the arm over the entire travel of the arm. Spring tension is adjustable to minimize the force exerted by the spring. The diaphragm of the pneumatic actuator is made to withstand pressures of up to 120 p.s.i.

Abstract: An improved material flow rail construction of the type employed to transmit containers or articles from one location to another gravity force. The improved material fow rail comprises a substantially U-shaped channel within which a multiplicity of mounting bolts are attached. Individual bearing assemblies are placed on the mounting bolts. By placing the individual bearing assemblies closely adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support channel, the flow rail has the ability to transmit parts having very small "footprint" areas since a large space between rollers is not presented for parts or components thereof to become caught. By providing a loose fit between the bearing inner races and the supporting mounting bolts, the inner race is permitted to rotate slightly with respect to the mounting bolts thereby presenting new wear surfaces as the flow rail is put into use.

Abstract: A roller conveyor is designed for transferring a load from a departure station where the load sets off to an arrival station where it is stopped by a buffer.The latter comprises a stop plate mounted on a shock absorber associated with a position detector, to ensure that the load and its support are stopped in the correct position and that they are displaced from the arrival station of the conveyor towards the departure station of another conveyor.

Abstract: Conveyor system with spaced rollers, including a main body formed with bores which contain plungers that are movable by means of inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A roller conveyor including: a plurality of spaced generally parallel roller rods; a number of rollers mounted on each of the rods and defining an upper surface for engaging conveyed objects; and a comb structure. The comb structure includes at least one comb element extending longitudinally along the conveyor transverse to the rods and being disposed between pairs of adjacent rollers on each of at least two successive rods. Each element has a plurality of recesses disposed in a lower longitudinal edge thereof for receiving a plurality of successive rods and a substantially level upper longitudinal surface extending upwardly above the rods and beneath the upper surface defined by the rollers.

Abstract: An improved brake mechanism for use with roller conveyors is provided. The brake mechanism comprises a brake plate, a brake shoe and a jack mechanism for biasing the brake plate and shoe into and out of braking orientation with conveyor rollers. The brake plate is generally flat and has two rigid extensions thereon. The brake shoe is a resilient, or elastic, loop of material which is stretched between the brake plate extensions and which is securely held thereon by resiliency of the brake shoe material. The brake shoe may be rapidly and easily mounted upon, or removed from, the brake plate without the use of special tools. Preferably, the brake shoe is manufactured from surgical tubing, which generally possesses sufficient resiliency for the application and which has a high enough coefficient of friction to be effective in braking conventional conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for controlling the velocity of articles on a gravity conveyor has a pneumatically operated actuator. During each cycle of operation of the brake a charge of air of limited volume is supplied to the actuator. The actuator is equipped with an air bleed which limits the actuator's period of action during each cycle. The charge of air is supplied by an accumulator, which is normally connected to a source of compressed air. An article actuated sensor and connected valve, upon being tripped by an article, isolates the accumulator from its air supply and connects it to the actuator activating the actuator but limiting its air supply to the charge stored in the accumulator before the valve was shifted by the sensor. The charge, once exhausted, is not replenished until the sensor is released by the article.

Abstract: An improved material flow rail construction of the type employed to transmit containers or articles from one location to another gravity force. The improved material flow rail comprises a substantially U-shaped channel within which a multiplicity of mounting bolts are attached. Individual bearing assemblies are placed on the mounting bolts. By placing the individual bearing assemblies closely adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support channel, the flow rail has the ability to transmit parts having very small "footprint" areas since a large space between rollers is not presented for parts or components thereof to become caught. By providing a loose fit between the bearing inner races and the supporting mounting bolts, the inner race is permitted to rotate slightly with respect to the mounting bolts thereby presenting new wear surfaces as the flow rail is put into use.

Abstract: A storage and distribution system wherein the product elements are segregated into product lanes, each product lane having a particular type of product element contained therein. The output ends of the product lanes are each provided with a release mechanism which is capable of dispensing the lead product element onto at least one main conveyor, while withholding all the rest of the product elements within the product lane. The product elements dispensed onto the main conveyors are then consolidated by a merge system, and directed onto an output conveyor which transports the consolidated order to a shipping, holding, or other suitable area. The system is also provided with means whereby the controlling system can monitor the successful completion of the product element releases, and the movement of the released product elements past the merge system, to thereby continuously monitor the progress of the dispensing sequence.

Abstract: A chain driven, live roller accumulating conveyor is defined by a plurality of accumulation zones, each having a pneumatically actuated clutch for selectively driving each zone, and a pneumatically controlled brake for braking an idler roller in each zone when the clutch is disengaged. Methods for accumulating are included.