Transfer mechanism for battery grids

Claim 1

In a transfer device for double battery grids or plates with outwardly-extending lugs to suspend and transfer the double grids from one double-chain conveyor to a second double-chain conveyor or device positioned above the first conveyor, a pair of horizontal rotable arms movable together through a predetermined arc provided with parallel plates having upper and lower forward faces substantially concentric with the pivot for the rotable arms, separated by notches dimensioned to be less than the thickness dimension of the lugs with which the notches interlock during the transfer operation from the lower to the upper conveyor or device, a second pair of vertical rotable arms mounted exteriorly of the first pair of horizontal arms in a cooperative relation with each other and with the outwardlyextending lugs of the double grids, stops on the second vertical pair of arms to contact the forward faces of the lugs as advanced by the first conveyor, to move the vertical arms until the forward faces of the lugs contact the upper forward face of the first pair of horizontal arms above the notches, adjustable blocks in spaced relation to the stops on the second vertical pair of arms to cooperate therewith above the lugs to allow passage of a single lug during transfer movement of the grids by the arcuate movement of the first pair of horizontal arms, and means on the second conveyor or device to pick up the lugs on the grids or plates at the upper end of their arcuate movement by the first pair of horizontal arms to remove the lugs from their engagement with the notches thereon.