Patent ID: 8534727

Claim:
An apparatus for engaging and releasing a plurality of items comprising: (a) a frame having a longitudinally extending support member; (b) at least one group of engagement units, each engagement unit having at least one engagement member, said at least one group of engagement units comprising a plurality of engagement units, each of said engagement units in said at least one group operable for engaging with, and disengaging from at least one item, each of said engagement units in said at least one group being mounted in series for longitudinal movement on said longitudinal support member, each one of said plurality of engagement units being interconnected to at least one other of said plurality of engagement units; (c) a movement apparatus operable for engaging at least one but not all of said plurality of engagement units in said at least one group to displace said at least one group with longitudinal movement on said longitudinally extending support member; said movement apparatus comprising a cam device disposed between said at least one engagement unit and said frame, said cam device operable to engage a cam element disposed on said at least one engagement unit.