Patent ID: 8266993

Claim:
A deflectable lifting device for lifting a sheet or web of material in a conveying system, comprising: a horizontal base comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, a bottom surface, and a top surface, the horizontal base having a base length that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge; a first vertical riser comprising a leading edge that intersects with the leading edge of the horizontal base, and a trailing edge that intersects with the top surface of the horizontal base, the first vertical riser extending vertically upward from the horizontal base and rising higher than the top surface of the horizontal base; a second vertical riser comprising a leading edge that intersects with the top surface of the horizontal base, a trailing edge that intersects with the trailing edge of the horizontal base, and a top surface, the second vertical riser extending vertically and perpendicularly upward from the horizontal base and rising higher than the top surface of the horizontal base; a recess defined by and limited by the top surface of the horizontal base, the trailing edge of the first vertical riser, and the leading edge of the second vertical riser, the recess having a length that is less than the base length; and a bendable arm directly connected to the first vertical riser and extending generally toward the second vertical riser, the bendable arm having a length that is less than the length of the recess and residing in a normally biased, upwardly extended position when no sheet or web of material is in contact therewith, the bendable arm comprising a portion that extends above the top surface of the second vertical riser when in the normally biased, upwardly extended position, and comprising a distal end that extends downwardly, wherein the bendable arm is configured to elastically deform downwardly with a spring action such that the distal end is received in the recess below the top surface of the second vertical riser in response to an applied force and then the bendable arm returns to its normal, unbiased, upwardly extended position when the applied force is removed.