CLUTCH-OPERATED DIVERTER FOR SORTING SYSTEM

摘要

Diverter gates for diverting lumber, logs or similar products from an infeed conveyor to preselected sorting stations are operated through one-revolution or partial-revolution clutches. Clutch engagement and disengagement is synchronized to the movement of the infeed conveyor in a manner so that a diverter gate opens and closes when a piece to be diverted is in predetermined positions relative to such gate. The drives for the gates and infeed conveyor are interconnected in a manner so that variations in infeed speeds result in corresponding variations in the speed at which the gates are opened and closed, thereby enabling high-speed sorting.