Apparatus and method for moving a workpiece

A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116), said transfer apparatus (104) comprising:

• (A) at least one support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116);
• (B) a carriage (128) movable with respect to said at least one support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location;
• (C) a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to said carriage (128) for moving said carriage (128) between said loading location and said unloading location;
• said carriage (128) having
• (i) at least one lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position relative to said at least one support surface (124) and a raised position relative to said at least one support surface (124), and
• (ii) at least one push member (292) operatively connected with said at least one lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with said at least one push member (292) and said at least one lift member (230) to lift a portion of the work ice (116) from said at least one support surface (124) to decrease the frictional engagement between the workpiece (116) and said at least one support surface (124);
• and
• wherein said at least one push member (292) is rotatably connected with said at least one lift member (230) such that (i) in a first rotated position said at least one push member (292) is located below said support surface (124), and (ii) in a second rotated position some portion of said push member (292) is located above said support surface (124).

A method of transferring a workpiece (116) with a transfer apparatus (104), said method comprising the steps of:

• (A) obtaining a transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116), said transfer apparatus (104) comprising:
• (a) at least one support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116);
• (b) a carriage (128) movable with respect to said at least one support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location;
• (c) a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to said carriage (128) for moving said carriage (128) between said loading location and said unloading location;
• said carriage (128) having
• (i) at least one lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position relative to said at least one support surface (124) and a raised position relative to said at least one support surface (124), and
• (ii) at least one push member (292) operatively connected with said at least one lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with said at least one push member (292) and said at least one lift member (230) to lift a portion of the workpiece (116) from said at least one support surface (124) to decrease the frictional engagement between the workpiece (116) and said at least one support surface (124);
• (B) loading at least a first workpiece (116) onto said transfer apparatus (104);
• (C) moving said carriage (128) in a first direction with said drive mechanism (146, 150) such that said at least one push member (292) engages the first workpiece (116);
• (D) moving said at least one lift member (230) into said raised position above said at least one support surface (124) to lift a first portion of the first workpiece (116) from said at least one support surface (124);
• (E) moving said carriage (128) in said first direction whereby said first portion of the first workpiece (116) is carried by said lift member (230) as the first workpiece (116) is pushed by said push member (292) whereby a second portion of the first workpiece (116) slides on said at least one support surface (124);
• (F) lowering said first portion of the first workpiece (116) onto said at least one support surface (124);
• and
• (G) moving said carriage (128) in a second direction opposite to said first direction whereby said at least one push member (292) contacts a second workpiece (116) to rotate said push member (292) to slide under the second workpiece (116).