System for handling structural members

Claim 1

A conveyor system for moving elongated structural members to a saw adjacent a roller conveyor comprising, a roller conveyor having spaced rollers with an axis of rotation disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel of said roller conveyor, spaced conveyor members disposed transversely of the direction of travel of said roller conveyor and supported adjacent said roller conveyor, each said conveyor member comprising, two large spaced channel members having their webs adjacent to each other and disposed in parallel planes with the flanges of said large channels extending away from each other, the top surface of each said large channel member being disposed below a plane passing through the top of the rollers of said roller conveyor, spaced angle members fixed to the lower flanges of said large channel members and extending therebetween, each said angle member having a top surface inclined upwardly and in a direction toward said roller conveyor, two spaced small channel members disposed between said large channel members and having their flanges extending toward each other and defining a space therebetween, a car having a load supporting member disposed in said space between said small channel members, at least one car wheel on each said of said car, each said car wheel being disposed in the space between the flanges of a said small channel member, and making rolling engagement with the upper side of the lower flange of each said small channel member, spaced cams fixed to the lower sides of said small channel members and resting on said top surface of said angle members, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod, said hydraulic cylinder and piston rod being connected between said large channel members and said small channel members for moving said small channel members axially between said large channel members whereby said cam surfaces move up and down along said inclined surfaces and said small channel members are moved upwardly in translation relative to said large channel members whereby the top of said car is moved above the level of said rollers and may be moved down, two spaced sprocket members, each said sprocket member being supported on an axle extending between said small channel members and supported on said small channel members, a chain supported on said sprocket members, said chain being connected to said car between the adjacent ends of the flanges of said small channel members and motor means driving said chain for moving said car along said small channel members, said hydraulic cylinder being adapted to move said small channel members axially relative to said large channel members whereby said car is lifted by said cam to bring the top surface thereof above said large channel members whereby an article supported on said large channel members will be lifted by said car from said large channel members and may be moved toward said roller conveyor by said motor means through said chain.