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High speed transporter for multiple station production line

  • US 4,718,810 A
  • Filed: 12/06/1985
  • Issued: 01/12/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a material handling system having a plurality of spaced work stations, apparatus for transporting material to and from each of said stations comprising:

  • a track defining a predetermined course;

    a plurality of stands spaced along said track on both sides thereof, each of said stands being adapted to receive a material-laden pallet thereon;

    a transporter movable along said track;

    first control means for propelling said transporter along said track and for selectively stopping said transporter at any of said stands;

    a turntable on said transporter for carrying a pallet thereon;

    an extensible and retractable arm;

    means mounting said arm on said turntable for rotation therewith;

    second control means for selectively rotating said turntable through an arc traversing said track to swing said arm to an aligned, pickup and deposit position with respect to a selected stand on one side of said track or to said aligned position with respect to a selected stand on the other side of said track, and including means for moving said arm between extended and retracted positions toward and away from any selected stand;

    means on said arm for releasably coupling a pallet with said arm for transfer of a coupled pallet from a selected stand to said turntable upon retraction of said arm, and for transfer of a coupled pallet from said turntable to a selected stand upon extension of said arm, said releasable coupling means including a dog engageable with a pallet; and

    said second control means further including means for rotating said turntable to an angular position misaligning the turntable and selected stand to preclude engagement of said dog with a pallet thereon during extension of said arm to pick up a pallet, or after deposit of a pallet to effect disengagement of said dog from the deposited pallet.

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