Stacking mechanism

A mechanism for transporting disk-like objects from holders moving seriatim along a path in which holders the disk-like objects are releasably supported to the bottom of a stack of such disk-like objects, said mechanism comprising:

• a shoe fixed along said path, said shoe having a pointed end portion with an arcuate surface along one side and being positioned so that the pointed end portion will separate the disk-like objects from the holders with the disk-like objects disposed along said arcuate surface;
• a wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said shoe, said wheel having a support member adapted to support a said disk-like member;
• a hook adapted to engage the edge of a said disk-like member, said hook being mounted at one edge of said support member for movement between an engage position at which said hook can engage the edge of a said disk-like member in one of said holders, and a disengaged position spaced from the edge of a said disk-like member supported on said support member;
• means for positioning said hook in its engage position and for driving said wheel in synchronism with said holders to engage said hook with said disk-like member in one of said holders and slide said engaged disk-like member along said arcuate surface adjacent said support member;
• means adapted for releasably holding said disk-like member slid along said arcuate surface against said support member;
• a stop fixed adjacent said wheel and adapted to engage the leading edge of said disk-like member held on said support member with the disk-like member aligned with said stack;
• means for moving said hook to its disengaged position with respect to said disk-like member held against said support member prior to engagement thereof with said stop;
• and
• cam means carried by said wheel for moving a said disk-like member stopped against said stop into said stack.