Patent ID: 7096913

Claim:
An apparatus for moving frameworks such as window frames or sashes, from a welding machine to a work station for further processing of the frameworks, said apparatus comprising: a track adapted for mounting at an elevated position so as to extend substantially horizontally from said welding machine to said work station; an arm assembly mounted for movement along said track and having gripping devices arranged one above the other, each gripping device adapted to releasably engage and grip one of said frameworks, said arm assembly including a lead arm spaced horizontally away from said gripping devices, said apparatus including a vertical linear actuator for moving said lead arm selectively in a vertical direction, whereby during use of said apparatus, said vertical linear actuator is able to lower said lead arm into openings formed by the frameworks; and an actuator arrangement for moving said arm assembly along said track between a first position where said arm assembly can engage the frameworks when they are arranged one above the other in said welding machine and then move the frameworks to a second position where said gripping devices engage and grip the frameworks at said work station during use of the apparatus, said actuator arrangement being able to move said lead arm horizontally to remove said frameworks from said welding machine.