Transfer device

A work transfer device for moving a plurality of workpieces progressively from station to station in a generally longitudinal direction in a press of the type having a reciprocable part and a series of in-line work stations in which operations are performed on said workpieces, said transfer device comprising

• work-holding jaw means disposed laterally in opposed relation on opposite sides of said stations;
• and
• first and second actuator means operatively connected to and actuated by said reciprocable part of said press, said first actuator means being adapted to reciprocatingly actuate said jaw means toward and away from each other in generally lateral directions transversely of said work stations into and out of clamping engagement with workpieces therein, said second actuator means adapted to longitudinally and reciprocatingly actuate said jaw means while said jaw means are clampingly engaged with said workpieces in order to longitudinally index said workpieces simultaneously to the next adjacent stations,
• said second actuator means having a rock shaft drivingly interconnected with said jaw means, cam and cam follower means drivingly connecting said reciprocable part of said press to a second actuator clutch assembly, said clutch assembly drivingly connecting said cam and cam follower means to said rock shaft, said second actuator clutch assembly including resiliently yieldable means for drivingly disconnecting said cam and cam follower means from said rock shaft in response to a first predetermined level of resistance to the longitudinal movement of said jaw means while said jaw means are clampingly engaged with said workpieces, thereby substantially preventing damage to said work transfer device in the event of the jamming of a workpiece therein, said resiliently yieldable means drivingly disconnecting said cam and cam follower means from said rock shaft in response to a second predetermined level of resistance to the longitudinal movement of said jaw means while said jaw means are clampingly disengaged from said workpieces, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level of resistance,
• said second actuator clutch assembly and said cam and cam follower means being disposed laterally outward relative to said work stations and said rock shaft being vertically disposed below the level of said work stations, thereby permitting substantially unobstructed access to said work stations from an end area of said press.