X-ray cassette positioner and cogbelt for use therewith

An x-ray cassette positioner (10) for use with a plurality of x-ray cassettes (20). The cassette positioner (10) includes first and second conveyors (56, 58). The conveyors (56, 58) have a first endless cogbelt (64) and a second endless cogbelt (64), respectively. The cogbelts (64) are spaced apart. The cogbelts (64) each have a plurality of outwardly extending shelves (78). The conveyors (56, 58) each have a pair of cogwheels (60, 62), each pair of cogwheels (60, 62) receives a respective cogbelt (64). The cogbelts (64) each have a utilization segment (80) and a return segment (82). The shelves (78) of the utilization segment (80) of said first cogbelt (64) face and are in vertical alignment with corresponding shelves (78) of the utilization segment (80) of the second cogbelt (64). The aligned shelves (78) define a cassette read site (84) and a plurality of cassette loading and unloading sites (86, 88). Each of the conveyors (56, 58) have a primary gear (94) of a positive drive (90) operatively connected to a respective said cogbelt (64), and a driveshaft (92). The driveshaft has a pair of spaced apart shaft gears (102). The shaft gears (102) are in reciprocal engagement with respective said primary gears (94), to drive both said conveyors (56, 58) in unison and transfer cassettes loaded in said loading sites (86) serially from said loading sites through said read site (84) to said unloading sites (88). The driveshaft (92) has a secondary gear (104) disposed in spaced relation to said primary gears (94), and one of said conveyors (56, 58) is alternately engageable to one of said primary gears (94) and said secondary gear (104).