Patent ID: 6419072
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B65G,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
Transfer apparatus adapted for selectively moving at least two tooling trays laterally between a working station adjacent a moving assembly line and one of two storage stations on opposite sides of said working station, said apparatus comprising a carriage member adapted to be connected to said tooling trays and supported for lateral horizontal movement relative to the direction of movement of the assembly line, at least one elongated flexible belt having longitudinally spaced teeth and extending parallel to the lateral movement of said carriage member and between said storage stations through said working station, a belt gripping member connecting a portion of said belt to said carriage member, said belt extending around a toothed drive sprocket rigidly connected to a drive shaft adjacent one of said storage station, a power operated reversible drive adjacent said one storage station and connected to rotate said drive shaft in opposite directions, and said belt also extending around a tail sprocket supported by a tail shaft adjacent the other said storage station.