Patent ID: 7278282

Claim:
A device for transferring an object from a dead plate to a conveyor, said device comprising: a first shaft positionable adjacent to said conveyor, said shaft being rotatable about a first axis perpendicular thereto; a first drive unit coupled to said first shaft for effecting rotation thereof; a housing mounted on said first shaft; a carrying bar mounted on said housing, said carrying bar having a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to said first axis, said carrying bar being reciprocably movable along said longitudinal axis relative to said housing; a finger for engaging said object, said finger being mounted on one end of said carrying bar; a guide piece mounted on an opposite end of said carrying bar, said guide piece having a groove oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis; a second shaft mounted coaxially within said first shaft, said second shaft being rotatable about said first axis independently of said first shaft; a crank arm having one end attached to said second shaft and another end slidably engaged within said groove of said guide piece; a second drive unit coupled to said second shaft for effecting rotation thereof; and wherein rotation of said second shaft effects reciprocal motion of said carrying bar along said longitudinal axis and rotation of said first shaft effects rotation of said carrying bar about said first axis.