Patent ID: 8070409
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to feed metallic workpieces to a manufacturing process, the workpieces having a workpiece body extending along a workpiece axis between a first workpiece end and a second workpiece end, said apparatus comprising: a) a storage hopper configured to hold a plurality of said workpieces; b) a conveyor to direct said workpieces to said manufacturing process, said conveyor having a first conveyor end, a second conveyor end and a drive line, said drive line moving along a drive line axis from said first conveyor end to said second conveyor end, said second conveyor end directing each of said workpieces toward said manufacturing process, said first conveyor end being spaced from said storage hopper and configured to receive said workpieces; and, c) a movement device to obtain said workpieces from said storage hopper and then deposit said workpieces onto said conveyor, said movement device moveable between a load position to collect at least one of said workpieces from said storage hopper and an unload position to deposit at least one of said workpieces on said conveyor, said movement device including a base, a main arm, and a workpiece support configuration, one end of said main arm is connected to said base and another end of said main arm is connected to said workpiece support configuration, said workpiece support configuration including a first engaging member, a hanger and a first flexible member, one end of said first flexible member connected to said first engaging member and the other end of said first flexible member connected to a first quick change lock block which is in turn connected to said hanger, said first flexible member allowing said first engaging member to move relative to said main arm, said first quick change lock block designed to connect said first flexible member to a plurality of locations on said hanger, said first engaging member including a means for selectively producing an attractive force between an engaging surface of said first engaging member and at least one of said workpieces in said storage hopper so as to direct said first engaging member to a desired number of said workpieces in said storage hopper regardless of the position of said workpieces in said storage hopper when said movement device is in said load position, said attractive force selectively securing a desired number of said workpieces relative to said first engaging member in said load position of said movement device and releasing said desired number of workpieces from said first engaging member when said movement device is in said unload position.