Apparatus for moving the filter plates of a filter press

In a filter press having a plurality of plates adapted to be arranged in abutting relationship in an operating position and to be separated from said position for cleansing, replacement or the like, each of said plates being provided with a pin extending laterally from two opposite side edges thereof, apparatus for separating the plates one at a time comprising a pair of first and a pair of second reciprocable link chain conveyors arranged with one each of said first and second reciprocable link chain conveyors respectively along said opposite side edges of said plates, said first conveyors carrying first engaging means comprising a driving lever and a stop lever, said levers being two-armed, pivotable and spring-biased and having a cam mounted between them, and said second conveyors carrying a second engaging means comprising a retaining lever having a pin engageable with said cam, said conveyors and their associated engaging means for providing that when moved in one direction, each of said first conveyors and first engaging means act to move the first of said plates from said operating position by engagement of said driving levers with the pins attached to said first plate while each of said second conveyors and second engaging means when moved in an opposite direction act to retain the second of said plates in the operating position by engagement of said retaining levers with the pins attached to said second plate.