Apparatus for moving bins simultaneously in arcuate and linear paths

Claim 1

Apparatus for selectively moving first and second bin members between their respective loading stations and a common unloading station, comprising: a) conveyor means extending between the loading station of at least one of said bins and said common unloading station, said second bin member being adapted for reciprocal movement thereon between its loading station and said unloading station; b) frame means on each side of said conveyor means; c) a pair of elongated first lever arms pivotally mounted between the ends thereof in said frame means with said first bin member being pivotally connected to said first lever arms at a distal end thereof; d) a pair of elongated second lever arms, each being pivotally connected at one end thereof to the proximal end of a respective first lever arm; e) a pair of first cam tracks, one on each side of said conveyor means and each including a first straight portion extending substantially parallel to said conveyors means and a second portion disposed at an angle relative to said first straight portion; f) a pair of second cam tracks, each extending vertically on a respective side of said second bin member; g) a cam follower at the other end of each said second lever arm and constrained to simultaneously engage the corresponding first and second cam tracks; and h) drive means connected between said frame means and each of said first lever arms for pivoting said first lever arms; i) whereby, with said second bin member at its loading station and said first bin member at the common unloading station said drive means are in a first condition and each said cam follower is at the upper extremity of the respective first and second cam tracks, subsequent operation of said drive means to a second condition thereof serving to pivot said first lever arms to lift and move said first bin member from the common unloading station to its loading station, such pivoting movement of said first lever arms serving to move said second lever arms and said cam followers along a path defined by said first cam tracks, said cam followers simultaneously moving, through engagement with said second cam tracks, said second bin member from its loading station, along said conveyor means, to the common unloading station.