Automatic accumulating lift and carry transfer mechanism

A mechanical automatic accumulating transfer mechanism comprising:

• an elongated frame, said frame comprising a plurality of work support members secured to and spaced longitudinally along said frame and on each lateral side thereof, said support members on opposite lateral sides of the frame being in alignment with each other and forming a work station along the frame adapted to receive and support a workpiece;
• a main carriage assembly and means for longitudinally slidably mounting said main carriage assembly to said frame between a forward and a retracted position;
• means for longitudinally reciprocally moving said main carriage assembly between said forward and said retracted position;
• a plurality of lifting members pivotally secured to said main carriage assembly at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong so that at least one lifting member is associated with each work station, said lifting members being pivotal between an upper position and a lower position wherein in said upper position said lifting members engage and elevate a workpiece at their associated work station up from the work support members at said work station and wherein in said lower position said lifting members are positioned below a workpiece supported by the work support members at said work station;
• means for moving said lifting members between their upper and lower position when said main carriage assembly is in its forward or retracted position;
• wherein said means for moving said lifting members between said upper and said lower position comprises:
• an actuating carriage assembly and means for longitudinally slidably mounting said actuating carriage assembly to said main carriage assembly so that said actuating carriage assembly is movable between an actuating position and a nonactuating position with respect to said main carriage assembly;
• means for longitudinally moving said actuating carriage assembly to its actuating position when said main carriage assembly is in its retracted position and for moving said actuating carriage assembly to its nonactuating position when said main carriage assembly is in its forward position;
• means secured to said actuating carriage assembly for pivoting said lifting members to their upper position as said actuating carriage assembly is longitudinally moved to its actuating position and for releasing said lifting members to their lower position when said actuating carriage assembly is longitudinally moved to its nonactuating position;
• and
• wherein said means for slidably mounting said main carriage assembly to said frame further comprises a plurality of first rollers rotatably mounted to the frame and upon which said actuating carriage assembly is longitudinally slidably supported, and a plurality of second rollers rotatably secured to the actuating carriage assembly and upon which the main carriage assembly is longitudinally slidably supported.