SELF-RETRACTING PALLET RETENTION DEVICE
A product unloader for product sortation systems includes a self-retracting pallet retention device for capturing and retaining upended pallets. The product unloader has at least one self-retracting pallet catch. The pallet catch includes a connector for maintaining the catch in an operative position, a guide configured for directing movement of the connector between raised and lowered positions, and a limiter defining the guide positions. The connector, guide, and limiter combine to allow the catch to move by force of gravity about an axis of rotation of the connector. The catch further includes a catch edge that is in contact with the pallet.
1 . A product unloader for a product sortation system, comprising:
a main loader area defined by a pair of unloader frame side walls;
a moveable product receptacle disposed at least partially within the main loader area;
at least one front pallet catcher mounted within the product receptacle; and
at least one self-retracting pallet catcher mounted within the product receptacle.
2 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the self-retracting pallet catcher further comprises:
a hinge mounted to the product receptacle; and
a pallet catch plate connected to the hinge;
wherein the pallet catch plate rotates has stop surface and an edge surface.
3 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the front pallet catcher comprises:
a spacer plate mounted to the product receptacle;
a springe hinge mounted to the spacer plate; and
a hinge stop mounted to the spring hinge.
4 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the front pallet catcher comprises:
a spacer place mounted to the product receptacle; and
a angled static metal catch mounted to the spacer plate.
5 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the self-retracting pallet catcher further comprises:
a hinge mounted to the product receptacle; and
a pallet catch plate connected to the hinge;
wherein the pallet catch plate rotates has stop surface and an edge surface.
6 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the unloader frame side walls are statically mounted to the ground.
7 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the unloader frame side walls comprise:
a back limit bar connecting the top of the support frame side walls.
8 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the unloader frame side walls comprise:
a support frame back base connecting the bottom of the support frame side walls; and
a support spring disposed within the support frame oriented towards the main loader area.
9 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein a pair of wire fence walls are connected to the front and top of the unloader frame side walls.
10 . The product unloader of claim 9 , wherein a lamp stack is attached at a top back portion of at least one of the wire fence walls.
11 . The product unloader of claim 8 , wherein a pair of safety curtain support bars are attached to a front portion of the wire fence walls.
12 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the product receptacle comprises:
at least one container stop extending out over the product receptacle.
13 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the product receptacle comprises:
one or more fastening holes in at least one of the sides of the product receptacle; and
at least one adjustable container stop which can be moved relative to the one or more fastening holes.
14 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the product receptacle is raised into the active position and lowered into the rest position using at least one linear actuator.
15 . The product unloader of claim 1 , wherein the product receptacle is raised into the active position and lowered into the rest position using at least one rotary motor.
16 . The product unloader of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one rotational joint on the inner sides of the unloader frame side walls; and
a receptacle attachment bar connecting the product receptacle to the rotational joints.