Workpiece transfer mechanism

Claim 2

Apparatus for transferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in a machine having a plurality of work stations where successive operations are performed, comprising shuttle means, first rocker means for carrying said shuttle means, said first rocker means including a first rocker shaft moving said shuttle means laterally inwardly and outwardly of the machine, finger mechanisms carried by said shuttle means, second rocker means for creating movement independent of said first rocker means, said second rocker means including a second rocker shaft, said second rocker shaft being carried by and rocked with said first rocker means, a rack carried by said second rocker means, and a pinion on said shuttle means, said rack rotating said pinion to transversely move said finger mechanisms to selectively grip and release the workpieces independently of but coordinated with the work operations of the machine.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 having two said shuttle means for each row of continuously fed workpieces, said finger mechanisms of adjacent shuttle means cooperating to selectively grip and release said workpieces.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 including a first rotating drive shaft, a first cam means on said drive shaft, first cam follower means operatively communicating with said first cam means, and first arm means connecting said cam follower means and said first rocker shaft.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 including a first rotating drive shaft, gear train means transferring the motion of said first rotating drive shaft to a second rotating drive shaft, cam means on said second rotating drive shaft, cam follower means operatively communicating with said cam means, and arm means connecting said cam follower means and said second rocker shaft.

Claim 6

Apparatus for transferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in a machine having a plurality of work stations where successive operations are performed, comprising shuttle means, first rocker means for carrying said shuttle means, a first rocker shaft for carrying said first rocker means to move said shuttle means laterally inwardly and outwardly of the machine, finger mechanisms carried by said shuttle means, second rocker means, a second rocker shaft extending slidably through said first rocker means and carrying said second rocker means, a first rotating drive shaft, gear train means transferring the motion of said first rotating drive shaft to a second rotating drive shaft, cam means on said second rotating drive shaft, cam follower means operatively communicating with said cam means, arm means connecting said cam follower means and said second rocker shaft, rack means carriEd by said second rocker means, and pinion means on said shuttle means, said rack means rotating said pinion means to transversely move said finger mechanisms to selectively grip and release the workpieces independently of but coordinated with the work operations of the machine.

Claim 7

Apparatus for transferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in a machine having a plurality of work stations where successive operations are performed, comprising shuttle means, first rocker means for carrying said shuttle means, a first rocker shaft for carrying said first rocker means to move said shuttle means laterally inwardly and outwardly of the machine, finger mechanisms carried by said shuttle means, second rocker means, a second rocker shaft extending slidably through said first rocker means and carrying said second rocker means, a first rotating drive shaft, gear train means transferring the motion of said first rotating drive shaft to a second rotating drive shaft, cam means on said second rotating drive shaft, cam follower means operatively communicating with said cam means, arm means connecting said cam follower means and said second rocker shaft, rack means carriEd by said second rocker means, and pinion means on said shuttle means, said rack means rotating said pinion means to transversely move said finger mechanisms to selectively grip and release the workpieces independently of but coordinated with the work operations of the machine.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5 having bracket means on said second rocker shaft rocking therewith, said bracket means carrying said second rotating drive shaft.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 3 including gear train means transferring the motion of said first rotating drive shaft to a second rotating drive shaft, second cam means on said second rotating drive shaft, second cam follower means operatively communicating with said second cam means, and second arm means connecting said second cam follower means and said second rocker shaft.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 1, each said finger mechanism including means for grasping a workpiece at at least two locations and a pusher plate.

Claim 11

Apparatus for transferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in a machine comprising a rotatably powered drive shaft, shuttle means to carry at least one workpiece into the machine, finger mechanisms carried by said shuttle means, first rocker means actuated by said drive shaft and connected to the shuttle means for reciprocating said shuttle means into and out of the machine, and second rocker means being connected to said finger mechanism, and carried by and rocked with said first rocker means as well as being rockable independently for moving said finger mechanisms to grip the workpiece.

Claim 12

Apparatus for transferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in a machine comprising a rotatably powered drive shaft, shuttle means to carry at least one workpiece into the machine, finger mechanisms carried by said shuttle means, first rocker means actuated by said drive shaft and connected to the shuttle means for reciprocating said shuttle means into and out of the machine, and second rocker means being connected to said finger mechanism, and carried by and rocked with said first rocker means as well as being rockable independently for moving said finger mechanisms to grip the workpiece.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a cam means on said drive shaft rocks said first rocker means.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first rocker means includes a rocker shaft connected to said cam means and rocker arms on said rocker shaft carrying said shuttle means.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second rocker means is carried by said rocker shaft.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said second rocker means includes a second drive shaft powered by said drive shaft, second cam means on said second drive shaft, a second rocker shaft rocked by said second cam means, and a second rocker arm on said second rocker shaft which moves said finger mechanisms to grip the workpiece.