Device for transferring workpieces from a stationary supply source to a moving machine

Claim 1

Device for loading workpieces comprising a machine rotating about an axis, said machine having at least one receiving portion thereon spaced radially outwardly from its axis and arranged to receive a workpiece, means spaced from said machine for supporting a stationary supply of workpieces, and means for transporting workpieces from the stationary supply to said machine, said means for transporting workpieces comprises an endless member, at least one carrying element attached to said endless member for holding a workpiece as it is moved from the stationary supply of workpieces to the receiving portion on said machine, said endless member moving said carrying elements at least during a portion of its travel at a speed equal to the speed of travel of the receiving portion on said machine, and a supporting member forming a track defining an arc of a circle for said endless member in a portion of its path of travel, the position of said supporting member being adjacent said means for supporting a stationary supply of workpieces and being spaced from said machine, and said carrying element being attached to said endless member so that in the passage over the track formed by said supporting member of the portion of said endless member to which said carrying member is attached, said carrying element effects a rotary movement about its axis while its axis remains stationary so that a workpiece can be moved from the stationary supply into said carrying element while its axis remains in the stationary position, a plurality of said supporting members are arranged in spaced relationship for the passage of said endless member thereover, said means for transporting workpieces includes a fixed curved guideway forming an arc of a circle with its center of curvature coinciding with the axis of said machine, said guideway defining the path of travel of said endless member with its carrying element in alignment with the receiving portion of said machine for effecting the transfer of a workpiece from the carrying element to the receiving portion, said endless member comprises a chain formed of a plurality of links, a plurality of said carrying elements located at uniformly spaced positions on said chain and each said carrying elements secured to and extending laterally and perpendicularly from one of said links, and said means for Transporting workpieces includes a pair of said supporting members, said supporting members being spaced apart at a multiple of the spacing between said carrying elements, said supporting members comprising first sprocket wheels, each having a radius to the point of engagement with said links of said chain equal to the dimension between the center of said chain and the center of said carrying elements.