US 11,885,075 B2
Tie plate orientation device
Coty T. Coots, Shepherdsville, KY (US)
Assigned to B & B Metals, Inc., Shepherdsville, KY (US)
Filed by B & B Metals, Inc., Shepherdsville, KY (US)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/164,354.
Application 18/164,354 is a continuation of application No. 17/486,074, filed on Sep. 27, 2021, granted, now 11,572,660.
Application 17/486,074 is a continuation of application No. 16/910,913, filed on Jun. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,136,726, issued on Oct. 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0183925 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. E01B 29/32 (2006.01); B65G 47/244 (2006.01); E01B 29/24 (2006.01)
CPC E01B 29/32 (2013.01) [B65G 47/244 (2013.01); E01B 29/24 (2013.01); B65G 2201/02 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tie plate orientation device, comprising:
a first conveyor;
a second conveyor having a surface which is oriented in a direction transverse to said first conveyor, said first conveyor directing tie plates toward said second conveyor;
a space located between said first conveyor and said second conveyor and capable of receiving said tie plates;
wherein any one tie plate of said tie plates is capable of falling from said first conveyor through said space in a first orientation, and in a second orientation said any one tie plate of said tie plates engages said second conveyor and is reoriented so that said any one tie plate is capable of falling through said space.