Patent ID: 6174123
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B66C,C25C

Abstract:
Apparatus for transferring sheet-like objects from one position to another, the apparatus comprising:a control frame including at least one vertical control member,a gripping device within the control frame and including at least one control member counterpart engaging the vertical control member of the control frame in a manner permitting relative movement of the control frame and the gripping device over a predetermined vertical range,a loading member coupled to the gripping device for lowering the gripping device from an upper position to a lower position and for raising the gripping device from the lower position to the upper position, anda positioning member attached to the gripping device for engaging a complementary member when the gripping device is at the lower position,and wherein when the gripping device is in the upper position the control frame is suspended from the gripping device and when the gripping device is lowered from the upper position to the lower position the control frame remains suspended from the gripping device until the control frame attains the lower position, whereupon downward movement of the control frame ceases and the gripping device continues downward movement relative to the control frame and the positioning member engages the complementary member.