Patent ID: 8157485
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: B21J,B23P,B65G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A shuttle for use in repeatedly feeding components along a guideway, the shuttle comprising: a shuttle body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in an axial direction, the shuttle body also having side portions, at least a part of the side portions extending between the first end and the second end and defining an exterior cross section comprising at least one arcuate portion and at least one non-arcuate portion to orient the shuttle within the guideway; a first aperture extending through the first end and the second end of the shuttle body in the axial direction, where the first aperture is configured to substantially align with an axially extending aperture of a component; a component retainer adapted to receive the component from a direction lateral from the axial direction and retain the component in axial alignment with the first aperture of the shuttle while the shuttle is moved along the guideway.