Apparatus for rotation of plates to facilitate weldment

Claim 1

Apparatus for facilitating the weldment of adjoining plates to form a plate section comprising: a supporting frame to hold the plates; means on the supporting frame to secure the plates thereto during rotation operations; shifting means to shift the frame holding the plates between an operative position and an inoperative position; rotation means to rotate the frame and plates between a first welding position and a second welding position when the frame is in the operative position to thereby facilitate access to the plates for substantially complete welding operations; the rotation means including a braking device to facilitate controlled rotation of the frame and secured plates between a substantially horizontal normal first welding position and a second welding position substantially 180* from the first welding position thereby facilitating access to both sides of the adjoining plates; and means on the apparatus for introduction thereof intermediate an in-line production conveying system for weldment and handling of plates in shipbuilding procedures, the means including a conveyor portion positioned with respect to the frame and extending upwardly therefrom so as to engage with the plates and facilitate positioning and removal of the plates with respect to the frame during material handling activities.