Patent ID: 6021725
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B65G,D05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for temporarily storing products, such as for storing products at an exit side of a quilting machine, the apparatus comprising:a lifting unit being actuatable between a lower, an intermediate, and an upper position;a guiding element extending along an inclined path and including an upper and a lower portion thereof;at least one carriage being slidable under the effect of gravity along said guiding element, said at least one carriage having a gripping element for gripping a product to be stored;a first stop element arranged at said upper portion of said guiding element for stopping said at least one carriage at a storage location on said guiding element upper portion;release actuation means, provided at said first stop element, for actuating said gripping element at said storage location for releasing a stored product;a second stop element, located at said lower portion of said guiding element, for stopping said at least one carriage sliding on said guiding element lower portion after releasing said stored product;retaining and releasing means, provided at said lifting unit, for retaining said at least one carriage at said lifting unit, and releasing said at least one carriage from said lifting unit; and wherein said lifting unit is movable between said intermediate position, in which said at least one carriage is received from said lower portion of said guiding element and retained by said retaining means, said lower position being a position in which said retained carriage receives a product from the quilting machine, and said upper position being a position in which said carriage with the product received from the quilting machine is released by said retaining and releasing means at said upper portion of said guiding element, said retaining and releasing means comprising two hook-shaped elements, said hook-shaped elements being located one above the other; a lever, pivoted in a rocker-like manner on a slider of said lifting unit and having a first arm and a second arm protruding between said hook-shaped elements; and an actuation jack for acting on said first arm, said carriages having means for being engaged by said second arm and moved into locking engagement with said hook-shaped elements.