Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated securing and releasing of items on shuttles. In one embodiment, an example item sortation system may include a shuttle having a conveyor, a first gate portion having a second width that is about half a first width of the conveyor, a second gate portion having the second width, an optional third gate portion having the second width, and an optional fourth gate portion having the second width, wherein the third gate portion and the fourth gate portion are disposed at a second side of the conveyor. The first gate portion, the second gate portion, the third gate portion, and the fourth gate portion may be configured to: (i) secure the at least one item on the conveyor during transport, and (ii) guide the at least one item along the conveyor when the item is unloaded.

A conveying device (100) and an inspection system (1000) are provided. The conveying device includes: a first support frame (1); a first conveying mechanism (2) and a second conveying mechanism (3) which are installed on the first support frame; and a switching mechanism (4) configured to selectively lift the first conveying mechanism or the second conveying mechanism in a vertical direction, such that the first conveying mechanism or the second conveying mechanism carries goods (401) and conveys the goods in a first horizontal direction or a second horizontal direction different from the first horizontal direction. The conveying device may achieve a positioning and a smooth continuous conveying of goods, and achieve a smooth conveying and a calibrated positioning of the goods in different postures.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

A crossbar support assembly that supports a crossbar includes a support post, a bracket, a riser, and a lock assembly. The bracket is secured to a distal end of the support post. The lock assembly is configured to releasably secure the riser to the bracket. The lock assembly includes a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration the riser is inhibited from moving with respect to the bracket. In the unlocked configuration the riser is permitted to move with respect to the bracket. The crossbar support assembly may include an adjustment assembly that adjusts a position of the riser with respect to the bracket when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration.

An automatic turnover device for use in manufacturing includes a support frame, a motor, a pulley, a holding assembly, and a belt. The motor is secured to the support frame. The motor has an output shaft. The pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. The holding assembly is pivotally connected to the support frame. The holding assembly is configured to hold an object. The belt has one end attached to the pulley and another end attached to the holding assembly. The motor is operated to rotate the output shaft in a first direction to tighten the belt and then to rotate in reverse to release the belt, such that a center of gravity of the holding assembly is moved. The holding assembly pivots relative to the support frame from a first horizontal position to a second horizontal position due to its own weight.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

An automatic turnover device for use in manufacturing includes a support frame, a motor, a pulley, a holding assembly, and a belt. The motor is secured to the support frame. The motor has an output shaft. The pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. The holding assembly is pivotally connected to the support frame. The holding assembly is configured to hold an object. The belt has one end attached to the pulley and another end attached to the holding assembly. The motor is operated to rotate the output shaft in a first direction to tighten the belt and then to rotate in reverse to release the belt, such that a center of gravity of the holding assembly is moved. The holding assembly pivots relative to the support frame from a first horizontal position to a second horizontal position due to its own weight.

A linkage for moving material from a first end of a conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor includes a first link and a second link. The first link includes a first side edge and a first indicator. The second link includes a second side edge and a second indicator. The second link is coupled to the first link such that the first side edge of the first link overlaps with the second side edge of the second link. Elongation of the first link in the direction of movement causes the first indicator to move relative to the second indicator, and a position of the first indicator relative to the second indicator provides an indication of a wear condition of the first link. In some aspects, a first surface and/or a second surface of one of the links includes a wear indicator representing a surface wear condition.

A crossbar support assembly that supports a crossbar includes a support post, a bracket, a riser, and a lock assembly. The bracket is secured to a distal end of the support post. The lock assembly is configured to releasably secure the riser to the bracket. The lock assembly includes a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration the riser is inhibited from moving with respect to the bracket. In the unlocked configuration the riser is permitted to move with respect to the bracket. The crossbar support assembly may include an adjustment assembly that adjusts a position of the riser with respect to the bracket when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration.

A radio-frequency identification arrangement for a chain conveyor for piece goods having a driven linked chain is disclosed, comprising a support rail element 3 for guiding and supporting the linked chain 4 in the region of the radio-frequency identification arrangement and a radio-frequency reading device or radio-frequency writing/reading device 10 for performing contactless reading or reading/writing of information by means of a radio-frequency signal. According to the invention, the radio-frequency reading device or radio-frequency writing/reading device 10 is disposed directly on a bottom 30 of the support rail element 3 and facing an underside of the linked chain 4. For this purpose, the latter may be accommodated in a recess or cavity of the support rail element 3. By means of the radio-frequency identification arrangement, an RFID tag, which is mounted on a workpiece or workpiece carrier, can be read or read and written to through the linked chain of the chain conveyor. Furthermore, a relatively short distance between the radio-frequency reading device or radio-frequency writing/reading device and the RFID tag may be accomplished and thus an advantageously low power of the radio-frequency signal used for identification.