Crowding lug transfer conveyor system

A crowding lug transfer conveyor system has an infeed and an outfeed end with a primary conveyor surface serving to a convey pieces therebetween. A plurality of lugs, each slideably mounted on a lug chain, are held at the infeed end and then released ahead of an incoming piece. An upstanding member on the lug is above the plane of the primary surface and the lug body is below the plane. A predetermined body length establishes the spacing and crowding distance at the outfeed end. Escapement mechanisms serve to release individual lugs on command both at the infeed and outfeed ends. At the outfeed end a plurality of lugs and pieces may be accumulated and spaced with the pieces then being metered in a singulated controlled manner. Caliper blocks in the lugs serve to grasp the lug chain when a lug is released with the lug chain continuously passing through the caliper blocks when the lug is being held in place awaiting release.