Apparatus for grabbing, holding and transporting workpieces on a conveyor chain

US3949859A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Micafil AG · CH

Inventors

• Manfred Nussbaumer · Leonberg, DE
• Karl Boesch · Spreitenbach, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 1975
• Grant date: Apr 13, 1976
• Expiry date: May 21, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2201/02
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for transporting work pieces by means of work piece pickups engageable with a chain type conveyor to a plurality of work stations located along the path of the conveyor. Work piece pickups located between parallel spaced guide rails which are disposed above two parallel spaced endless link type chains are provided with guide rolls which engage the undersides of the guide rails and with pivotally mounted carrier arms provided with toe portions adapted to engage the links in the conveyor chains. Means are provided at each work station to stop one, or a group, of work piece pickups while the conveyor chains continue to move and to actuate a gripping device for releasing the work piece so that it can be worked on.