Patent ID: 6478135
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: B23Q

Abstract:
An asynchronous system for conveying a pallet between one or more work stations and facilitating work operations upon a fixture located on the pallet, comprising:a conveyor for continuously moving the pallet between the one or more work stations located along the conveyor system; the one or more work stations comprising: opposed location blocks located adjacent to the conveyor, the location blocks housing a first set of registration engagement mechanisms; the pallet housing a second set of registration engagement mechanisms; and a lifting and locking mechanism comprising a pressurized cylinder driving one or more pivotally attached links for removing the pallet from the conveyor and for locking the pallet into a rigid registration position at which the pallet is brought into accurate registration, along X, Y and Z dimensions, with the opposed location blocks through engagement of the first and second sets of registration engagement mechanisms; wherein each of the one or more links is pivotally connected to one or more link arms terminating in a wedge, and wherein vertical movement of the cylinder causes the one or more wedges to exert a lifting and locking force on the pallet sufficient to lift the pallet off of the conveyor and lock the pallet into a fixed position above the conveyor and in engagement with the first set of registration engagement mechanisms of the opposed location blocks.