Improvements in Means for Handling Sorting and Distributing Parcels Bales Loads of Goods and the like

11,396. Cox, H. A. May 8. Conveying-apparatus.-In a system for handling, sorting, and distributing parcels, bales, loads of goods, &c., of the nature described in Specification 17,344/08, supplementary set paths or tracks are provided for moving trays from the main " trucker " track between giving and taking centres and past loading and unloading points, the supplementary paths being substantially parallel to the main track, and all motion of the trays outside the trucker track and supplementary paths being purely transverse to these. In the form shown in Fig. 2, vehicles 20 ... 29 are arranged alongside a platform 48 and the truckers pass along the main track 30 giving trays to the " takers " 31, 36 and taking from the " givers " 33, 34. A supplementary path 32, parallel to the main track, leads trays 51 between the taker 31 and giver 33 past the group of vehicles 20 ... 24, at any of which they may be loaded or unloaded. Goods may be piled, as at 53, 54, awaiting completion of a vehicle. load, and any tray may be moved transversely from the track, as at 52, without impeding the transverse motion of the other trays. A similar supplementary path 35 supplies the vehicles 25 ... 29, and paths 43, 46 on the other side of the main track may be used when a second row of vehicles 49 stands at the platform.