Apparatus for transporting elongated cylindrical workpieces

Apparatus for transporting elongated generally cylindrical workpieces comprising:

• a workpiece supporting surface along which elongated generally cylindrical workpieces are rollable, an elongated flexible belt having an elongated lower belt run spaced laterally beyond one end of said supporting surface, said lower belt run being spaced above said supporting surface and extending substantially parallel thereto, said belt having a relatively narrow width for engaging a workpiece over a short portion of its length adjacent one end thereof, belt drive means for driving said belt, a narrow elongated support member positioned adjacent said lower belt run and spaced therebelow for rolling transport along said supporting surface of elongated generally cylindrical workpieces gripped between said lower belt run and said support member, and pusher means movable transversely of said support member for engaging said one end of a workpiece and pushing same from said support member.

Apparatus for transporting elongated generally cylindrical workpieces comprising:

• input and output stations between which workpieces are transported, a workpiece supporting surface along which elongated generally cylindrical workpieces are rollable between said input and output stations, an elongated flexible belt having an elongated lower belt run spaced above said supporting surface and extending therealong substantially parallel thereto between said input and output stations, belt drive means for driving said belt in a direction for moving said lower belt run in a direction from said input station to said output station, said supporting surface including a relatively narrow elongated support member positioned adjacent said lower belt run and spaced therebelow for gripping and rolling transport of workpieces between said support member and said lower belt run, a workpiece receiving trough at said output station having a trough axis inclined at an angle between 5.degree.-10.degree. to the axis of a workpiece entering said input station, and pusher means movable transversely of said support member and belt for engaging the end of a workpiece and pushing same into said trough from between said support member and said lower belt run.