Patent ID: 7950896
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A handling apparatus for receiving, lifting and placing objects, the handling apparatus comprising: a controllable transport device movable between a loading position and an unloading position, the controllable transport device including an articulated robot arm; a material handling assembly carried by the controllable transport device, the material handling assembly including a plurality of support rollers which, when in a first position, can receive and support objects at a support plane defined by the material handling assembly, the support rollers being selectively positionable between the first position wherein the objects are supported at the support plane and a second position wherein the objects can be released to pass through the support plane, the support plane being of a generally rectangular shape including two opposite sides extending along a length of the support plane and two opposite ends extending along a width of the support plane, the plurality of support rollers including first and second portions, each portion respectively including support rollers laying on opposite sides of a center line of the material handling assembly, the center line extending parallel to the ends of the material handling assembly, an edge of the first and second portions of support rollers meeting adjacent the center line when in the first position and being spaced apart from the center line when in the second position, the material handling assembly including a drive for moving the support rollers of the first and second portions between the first and second positions; and a transfer assist mechanism including an excitation conveyor fixed at the loading position having a continuous loop drivable so as to rotate at least some of the support rollers when the controllable transport device is in the loading position, to thereby draw objects onto or off from the material handling assembly at the support plane, the articulated robot arm capable of moving the material handling assembly between the transfer assist mechanism where the support rollers contact the continuous loop and a pallet stack location.