Patent ID: 6142725
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B23Q,B62D,B65G

Abstract:
A rotatable shuttle transfer unit for transferring a workpiece from a first workstation to a second workstation along a predetermined path of travel, and said workpiece having an axis for rotation thereabout comprising:an overhead horizontal guide rail extending along said predetermined path;a pair of similar carriages movably supported and guided by said guide rail for reciprocal movement along said guide rail, and said pair of similar carriages spaced a predetermined distance from one another along said guide rail;means, disposed on said guide rail and connected to at least one of said carriages, for reciprocally driving said carriages in guided movement along said guide rail and moving said workpiece along said predetermined path of travel;at least one motor, supported by at least one of said carriages, for powering rotation of said workpiece from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation with respect to said axis of rotation while said carriages move said workpiece along said predetermined path of travel;means, connected to said at least one motor, for releasably clamping said workpiece;a linear adjustment carriage rollably mounted to said guide rail between said carriages;a fixed bar having one end connected to said linear adjustment carriage and an opposite end connected to one of said pair of carriages;a threaded member extending from said linear adjustment carriage to said other of said pair of carriages wherein said other carriage operably receives said threaded member; anda reversible motor connected to said linear adjustment carriage for driving said threaded member and adjusting the linear distance between said carriages.