Pallet registry mechanism and transfer lift system

In a multiple station transfer machine in which workpieces are located and supported in pallets, and in which said pallets are moved in sequence through said machine, utilizing, in part, vertically moving transfer means, interrelated registry mechanisms for locating and clamping said pallets, each of which comprises:

• (a) a registry frame,
• (b) one or more locating pin means slidably mounted in said frame to engage corresponding locating holes in said pallet,
• (c) clamping means for said pallet movably mounted in said frame,
• (d) energy storage means mounted in said frame,
• (e) mechanical means interconnecting said energy storage means with said locating pin means and with said clamping means to sequentially engage said locating pins in said holes in said pallet and clamp said pallet to said registry frame, and that improvement which comprises:
• (a) external actuating means for said registry interconnected with and operating said mechanical means to retract said clamping means from said pallet and thereafter to disengage said locating pin means from said holes,
• (b) lift means for said transfer means substantially contiguous with said external actuating means, and sequentially interrelated with said clamping means and said locating pin means to raise and transfer means after said clamping means are retracted and said locating pin means are disengaged,
• (c) said external actuating means comprising a shaft rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the line of transfer of said transfer machine, and said lift means comprising lift members eccentric from the axis of said rotatable shaft,
• (d) said transfer means comprising slide rails moved through a small vertical stroke only, and a horizontally movable transfer bar, selectively engageable with said pallets, whereby said transfer rails are moved vertically upward to lift said pallets from said registry mechanism, and said transfer bar, in engagement with said pallets, moves said pallets forward by sliding said pallets on said slide rails in their upper position, and said slide rails are moved vertically downward depositing said pallets on said registries, and said transfer bar, disengaged from said pallets, returns horizontally to its starting position, and said lift members support said slide rails to generate the aforesaid vertical movements of said slide rails, and
• (e) said lift members comprising circular eccentric members journalled in brackets connected to and supporting said slide rails.