Patent ID: 6775897
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: B21J,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A holding apparatus for holding large format workpieces to be worked on by a machine, said apparatus comprising:an apparatus rail system including first and second rails extending parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction; a first row of workpiece support units that are each movably arranged on said first rail to be independently movable therealong in said longitudinal direction; and a second row of workpiece support units that are each movably arranged on said second rail to be independently movable therealong in said longitudinal direction; wherein: each one of said workpiece support units of said first row and of said second row respectively comprises a respective support stand that is movably arranged on a respective one of said rails to be independently movable therealong in said longitudinal direction, and a respective workpiece support arm that has a supported end pivotably connected to said support stand so as to be independently vertically pivotable relative thereto, and that is adapted to support at least one workpiece; a workpiece space adapted to receive at least one workpiece is formed between said support stands of said first row of said support units and said support stands of said second row of said support units; each said support arm has a free unsupported end opposite said supported end; said support arms extend crosswise relative to said longitudinal direction into said workpiece space with said free unsupported ends respectively oriented toward the opposite one of said rows of said support units; and each one of said support arms can be moved, independently of the other ones of said support arms, away from the at least one workpiece, to provide an unobstructed working zone for the machine to work on the at least one workpiece in said working zone.