Guide apparatus for plate-like object

A guide apparatus for guiding a movement of each of a plurality of plate-like objects with respect to a main body between a set position and a preparation position in front of or behind the set position, and between the preparation position and a non-set position to the left or right of the preparation position, said plurality of plate-like objects being flush with each other when all of said plurality of plate-like objects are in the set positions and arranged in a right and left direction, said guide apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of rotatable rails formed in an elongated shape horizontally extending in a right and left direction, arranged in the right and left direction to form a straight line and supported by said main body such that each of said rotatable rails can rotate about a first rotation axis extending in the right and left direction between a first rotation position and a second rotation position;
• and
• a runner supported by each of said plurality of plate-like objects such that said runner can swing about a second rotation axis parallel to said first rotation axis;
• wherein each of said rotatable rails includes a receiving groove extending in a longitudinal direction of said rotatable rail, a one side portion of said receiving groove being provided as a running track;
• wherein each of said rotatable rails further includes an auxiliary track spaced from said running track by the same angle as the angle between the first rotation position and the second rotation position about said first rotation axis;
• wherein when each of said plate-like objects is in the set position, corresponding one of said rotatable rails is in the first rotation position and said runner is received in said receiving groove of said corresponding rotatable rail;
• wherein when each of said plate-like objects is in the preparation position, corresponding one of said rotatable rails is in the second rotation position and said runner is received in said receiving groove and rides on said running track of said corresponding rotatable rail;
• wherein when each of said plate-like objects is moved from the preparation position to the non-set position, said runner transfers from said running track of said corresponding rotatable rail onto said auxiliary track of another of said rotatable rails adjacent to said corresponding rotatable rail;
• and
• wherein said guide apparatus further comprises:
• a biasing member biasing each of said rotatable rails toward the second rotation position;
• and
• a stop member for maintaining each of said rotatable rails at the second rotation position against said biasing member.