Patent ID: 7727454

Claim:
Device for transferring items from an items loading station to an items unloading station, which comprises: a group of modules mounted such that they can move in a longitudinal direction (L) on a support structure, each provided with means of grasping an item, this group being able to adopt a contracted configuration in which the modules are separated by a predetermined first spacing, and a deployed configuration in which the modules are separated by a predetermined second spacing, greater than the first spacing, means of linking one module to another, able to control the change of the group of modules from its contracted configuration to its deployed configuration, means of controlling the movement of the group of modules with respect to the support structure, wherein the linking means comprise a lever mounted such that it rotates on one of the modules about an axis (C) substantially perpendicular to the direction (L) of movement, this lever being provided at a first end with a first finger running in a groove formed transversely on the other module, and at a second end with a second finger running in a groove formed longitudinally in the support structure, this groove comprising a first section substantially parallel with the direction (L) of movement, and a second section forming an angle with the said direction (L) of movement.