Patent ID: 6419071
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B23P,B62D

Abstract:
An apparatus for transporting at least one work piece comprising:at least one rail defining a path of travel through a workstation; a trolley moveable along the rail and controllable to stop at the workstation; a carrier connected to the trolley for supporting at least one work piece during movement of the trolley along the rail with respect to the workstation, the carrier moveable between a raised position and a lowered position when positioned at the workstation; at least one latch moveable between a released position and a locked position, the latch maintaining the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in the locked position and allowing movement of the carrier to the lowered position when in the released position; and an actuator for each latch, each actuator moveable from a first position to a second position, such that each actuator engages the carrier, releases the latch, and lowers the carrier while moving from the first position to the second position, and each actuator raises the carrier, locks the latch, and disengages from the carrier while moving from the second position to the first position.