Patent ID: 7032738

Claim:
A device for returning machined workpieces from the delivery side of a first machining unit to the feeding side of the first or of another machining unit, said device comprising: a transfer device for transferring the machined workpieces from the delivery side of the first machining unit, a lifting device for lifting the workpieces which are delivered by the transfer device to a return position located above the transfer device, and a return device for conveying the workpieces which are delivered by the lifting device back to the feeding side of the first or the other machining unit, the transfer device comprising a transfer table with interspaced first supporting elements for the supporting workpieces, and the lifting device comprising first and second lifting tables, each having interspaced second supporting elements for supporting the workpieces which can be upwardly guided between the first supporting elements of the transfer table, a first drive unit for producing a substantially up and down movement of the first and second lifting tables and a second drive unit for producing a substantially horizontal movement of the first and second lifting tables, wherein the first and second drive units move the first and second lifting tables in at least a two-dimensional cyclic movement from the transfer table upward to the return position and back to the transfer table, wherein said first and second lifting tables perform the at least two-dimensional cyclic movement between the transfer table and return position simultaneously, with the first lifting table being configured in one piece and the second lifting table being configured in two pieces, said transfer device further including a first coupling means for coupling the first lifting table to the first and second drive units at a mid-point of the first lifting table and a second coupling means for coupling the two pieces of the second lifting table to the first and second drive units at an outer side of these two pieces.