Patent ID: 7631748

Claim:
A conveyor system for transporting a workpiece, the system comprising: a conveyor having a single continuous sharp chain for engaging a first surface of the workpiece; a first and a second skid coupled by a first and second through-shaft passing through said first and said second skid, the first and second skid mounted in parallel alignment with said conveyor and selectively actuable so as to provide uniform vertical displacement of said first and said second skid between a lowered first position wherein the workpiece is in contact with said conveyor, and an elevated second position wherein the workpiece is elevated above said conveyor, said first and said second skid remaining parallel to said conveyor in both the lowered first position and in the elevated second position; a lift mechanism disposed between the first and second skid, the lift mechanism coupled to the first and second through-shafts and configured to lift the first and second through-shafts; and a plurality of rotatable positioning drive rolls mounted along said conveyor, said plurality of rotatable positioning drive rolls for rotating and/or positioning the workpiece when the workpiece is displaced by said first and said second skids into said second position; wherein each of said first and second skid and plurality of rotatable positioning drive rolls are positioned along the single continuous sharp chain.