Transport apparatus for electrocoating machines

Abstract

An electrocoating machine has a frame supporting a series of tanks containing solutions for electrocoating work pieces such as can ends. A wheel is mounted for rotation on the frame and has a plurality of work piece holders spaced about its periphery. Each work piece holder has a pair of spaced, flexible fingers, each having a free end which is cantilevered from the wheel. As the wheel rotates, cams displace the free ends of the fingers at a point shortly before they enter the electrocoating tank. A work piece transfer apparatus places a work piece adjacent the displaced fingers at a pickup point. The cams then release the fingers so they engage the work piece in spring-loaded gripping relation. The wheel carries work pieces from the pickup point, down into the electrocoating solution and then to a rinse conveyor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.