Switching apparatus for article sorting switch

摘要

A switching apparatus for use in conjunction with a horizontal switch includes a pair of opposed fixed guide members having facing guide surfaces defining a central output path and opposed angularly extending guide surfaces defining left and right output paths. A pair of movable guide members comprise facing guide surfaces and opposed, diverging guide surfaces. Rotary solenoids are used to selectively position the movable guide members in engagement with corresponding dampening pads thereby positioning the facing guide surfaces of the movable guide blocks to direct switch engaging members along the central output path between the fixed guide blocks. Actuation of either rotary solenoid positions its corresponding movable guide block with its facing surface engaging the facing surface of the other guide block while the opposed surface thereof engages its corresponding dampening member, thereby positioning the diverging surface of the actuated movable guide block in alignment with the diverging surface of the corresponding fixed guide block to direct the switch engaging members along a selected output path.