Xerographic plate transporting mechanism

Claim 2

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising at least one shuttle plate, each shuttle plate having a slot therein, each slot having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, at least one sprocket wheel at each of two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around an engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each pin eXtending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, each pin engages the periphery of one of said sprocket wheels therein and is caused to move lengthwise within the slot whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into receiprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each shuttle plate for engaging the article at the first of the two terminal positions and to support the article as the article is transported to the second of the two terminal positions, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position.

Claim 3

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around the engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position.

Claim 4

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around the engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position.

Claim 5

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, said article-engaging means comprising a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on each shuttle plate, each pawl passing through a corresponding horizontal slot in the adjacent shuttle plate such that a portion of each pawl is on the opposite side of the shuttle plate from the area between the Plates where the article is carried during transportation.

Claim 6

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, said article-engaging means comprising a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on each shuttle plate, each pawl passing through a corresponding horizontal slot in the adjacent shuttle plate such that a portion of each pawl is on the opposite side of the shuttle plate from the area between the Plates where the article is carried during transportation.

Claim 7

The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said means for causing said article engaging means to become disengaged from the article comprise cam means which contact those portions of said pawls on the opposite side of the shuttle plate from the area between the shuttle plates.

Claim 8

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless driven chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, said article-engaging means comprising a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on each shuttle plate, the pawls being spring-loaded so they will extend into the area between the shuttle plates at an acute angle to the direction of article travel between said first and second terminal positions.

Claim 9

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless driven chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, said article-engaging means comprising a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on each shuttle plate, the pawls being spring-loaded so they will extend into the area between the shuttle plates at an acute angle to the direction of article travel between said first and second terminal positions.

Claim 10

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and cam means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position.

Claim 11

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and cam means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position.

Claim 12

The mechanism of claim 6, wherein said cam means are stationary.

Claim 13

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each oF said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, said article-engaging means comprising a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on each shuttle plate, said means for causing said pawls to become disengaged from the article comprising a first pair and a second pair of cam means, said first pair of cam means disengaging the pawls most closely adjacent the leading edge of the article and said second pair of cam means disengaging the pawls most closely adjacent the trailing edge of the article.

Claim 14

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each oF said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, and means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, said article-engaging means comprising a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on each shuttle plate, said means for causing said pawls to become disengaged from the article comprising a first pair and a second pair of cam means, said first pair of cam means disengaging the pawls most closely adjacent the leading edge of the article and said second pair of cam means disengaging the pawls most closely adjacent the trailing edge of the article.

Claim 15

The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said first and said second pairs of cam means are so positioned that the pawls most closely adjacent the leading edge of the article are disengaged by said first pair of cam means before the pawls associated with the trailing edge of the article are disengaged by said second pair of cam means.

Claim 16

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, spring-loaded positioner means mounted on at least one of said shuttle plates, and cam means positioned adjacent the second terminal position for rotating said positioner means into contact with the trailing edge of the article being transported whereby, after the pawls adjacent the trailing edge of the article are disengaged therefrom, further movement of the shuttle plates into the second terminal position cause said positioner means to urge the article further into the second terminal position.

Claim 17

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, spring-loaded positioner means mounted on at least one of said shuttle plates, and cam means positioned adjacent the second terminal position for rotating said positioner means into contact with the trailing edge of the article being transported whereby, after the pawls adjacent the trailing edge of the article are disengaged therefrom, further movement of the shuttle plates into the second terminal position cause said positioner means to urge the article further into the second terminal position.

Claim 18

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle platEs having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and cam follower means for synchronizing the horizontal movement of the plate transporting mechanism with means for lowering the article in the second terminal position.

Claim 19

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle platEs having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and cam follower means for synchronizing the horizontal movement of the plate transporting mechanism with means for lowering the article in the second terminal position.

Claim 20

The mechanism of claim 11, wherein each cam follower means is mounted adjacent the edge of one of said shuttle plates most closely adjacent the second terminal position.

Claim 21

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby undirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, a frame, a pair of stationary members supported by said frame on opposite sides of the horizontal path between the two terminal positions, a first pair of movable members, one of said movable members being supported by each of said stationary members, a second pair of movable members, one of said opposed shuttle plates being securely mounted on each of said second movable members, and a plurality of ball bearings supported between adjacent ones of said first and second movable members, each of said second pair of movable members sliding in contact with said ball bearings as said opposed shuttle plates move between the two terminal positions.

Claim 22

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby undirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, a frame, a pair of stationary members supported by said frame on opposite sides of the horizontal path between the two terminal positions, a first pair of movable members, one of said movable members being supported by each of said stationary members, a second pair of movable members, one of said opposed shuttle plates being securely mounted on each of said second movable members, and a plurality of ball bearings supported between adjacent ones of said first and second movable members, each of said second pair of movable members sliding in contact with said ball bearings as said opposed shuttle plates move between the two terminal positions.

Claim 23

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is tranSported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and a xerographic plate having side rails secured to opposite edge portions thereof, said side rails having a plurality of recesses therein, said article engaging means entering into said recesses for supporting said xerographic plate as it is being transported between the two terminal positions.

Claim 24

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is tranSported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and a xerographic plate having side rails secured to opposite edge portions thereof, said side rails having a plurality of recesses therein, said article engaging means entering into said recesses for supporting said xerographic plate as it is being transported between the two terminal positions.

Claim 25

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and a xerographic plate having side rails having a plurality of recesses therein, said article engaging means slightly overrunning the xerographic plate as the plate is being held stationary in the first terminal position and, after reversal of the direction of travel of the shuttle plates, said article-engaging means becomes operative and rotates into the recesses in the side rails of the xerographic plate whereby, upon continued movement of the transporting mechanism, the xerographic plate is removed from the first terminal position and transported in a direction toward the second terminal position.

Claim 26

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends connected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless drive chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and a xerographic plate having side rails having a plurality of recesses therein, said article engaging means slightly overrunning the xerographic plate as the plate is being held stationary in the first terminal position and, after reversal of the direction of travel of the shuttle plates, said article-engaging means becomes operative and rotates into the recesses in the side rails of the xerographic plate whereby, upon continued movement of the transporting mechanism, the xerographic plate is removed from the first terminal position and transported in a direction toward the second terminal position.

Claim 27

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends conNected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless driven chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and shaped cam means supported by at least one of said shuttle plates, said shaped cam means synchronizing the movement of said mechanism with the operation of means external thereto.

Claim 28

A mechanism for transporting an article in a first direction along a horizontal path, said mechanism comprising a pair of opposed, shuttle plates having vertical portions between which the article is supported as it is transported from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, each of said shuttle plates having a slot therein, each of said slots having spaced ends conNected together by an elongated passageway, sprocket wheels at each of the two terminal positions, endless driven chain means passing around and engaging said sprocket wheels, means for driving said drive chain means in one direction only, a pin securely mounted on each endless drive chain associated with said drive chain means, each of said pins extending into the slot in a shuttle plate adjacent thereto whereby, in each terminal position, the pins engage the periphery of the adjacent sprocket wheels and are caused to move lengthwise within the slots whereby unidirectional motion of the endless drive chain means is smoothly translated into reciprocating, two-directional movement of the plate transport mechanism along a single horizontal plane between the two terminal positions, means supported by each of said shuttle plates for engaging the article at the first terminal position and to support the article as the article is transported to the second terminal position, means for causing the article-engaging means to become disengaged from the article at the second terminal position, and shaped cam means supported by at least one of said shuttle plates, said shaped cam means synchronizing the movement of said mechanism with the operation of means external thereto.