Handling and transferring device for plane objects, particularly glass sheets

Claim 1

Apparatus for the transfer in sequence, of sheets of material, from a conveyor to a mobile desk, comprising, a fixed horizontal frame having a longitudinal, horizontal central axis, first and second laterally spaced columns fixed with and upstanding from the forward end of said frame at opposite sides of said axis, first and second pulleys each journaled at the top of a respective one of said columns, for rotation on a common horizontal axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, conveyor means supporting and translating discrete sheets in succession to a terminal location beneath said frame and with one reference edge adjacent said columns and extending therebetween, a truck movable on said frame from a first horizontal position over a sheet in said terminal location, to a second and essentially vertical position between said columns, a plurality of suction cups carried by said truck in depending relation therefrom, means fixed with said frame, operable to elevate a sheet in said terminal location, into contact with said suction cups and to lift the same from said conveyor means, first and second parallel guide rails carried by said columns respectively, and extending from one terminal point each at the contiguous ends of edge of a sheet in said terminal location, upwardly and forwardly to a second terminal point atop said columns, follower means fixed with said truck at the forward end thereof, positively guided by said rails, first means connected with said truck and operable to move said follower means along said rails from said first to said second terminal points, to therEby elevate the forward end of said truck and a sheet affixed thereto, along and between said columns, said first means guiding the rearward end of said truck forwardly and downwardly, said truck and a sheet affixed thereto being essentially vertical between said columns when said follower means are positioned at said second terminal points.