Apparatus for operating automatic conveyors

Apparatus for driving an automatic workpiece conveyor in a press train comprising:

• drive means drivingly connectable to drive elements of a press,
• a first linkage member connected directly to said drive means for movement therewith,
• a second linkage member connected directly to a conveyor,
• and a plurality of further linkage members articulated to one another and to said first and second linkage members such that movement of said drive means is transmitted by way of said linkage members to drivingly move said conveyor over a predetermined path including two standstill positions for accommodating pick up and delivery of workpieces being conveyed by the conveyor,
• wherein said drive means is a rotatable member,
• wherein said linkage members are configured such that a coupling point of two of said members is constrained to move in a predetermined path including two arcuate sections spaced from one another and having the same radius of curvature, said coupling point moving along one of said arcuate sections with said conveyor stopped at a first of said standstill positions and said coupling point moving along the other of said arcuate sections with said conveyor stopped at the other of said standstill positions,
• wherein one of said members connected at said coupling point has the other end thereof connected to one end of a rocking lever which is rotatable about a fixed pivot axis intermediate the ends thereof, the other end of said rocking lever being connected to a linkage member drivingly connected to control movement of said conveyor in response to pivotal movement of said rocking lever about said fixed pivot axis,
• wherein a turning device is provided for turning a workpiece carried by said conveyor,
• wherein a secondary linkage system is interconnected between said rocking lever and said turning device for driving said turning device, said secondary linkage system including a two-armed lever with guide means extending in the longitudinal direction thereof beyond the axis of rotation of said two-armed lever, a slide block being displaceably arranged in the guide means which carries a pin for the hinged connection of a coupling rod in the drive train for said turning device.