Device for picking up bendable flat parts

A lifting device for manipulating a plurality of flat objects, having a movable support frame, comprising:

• a first compression device having a first axis and comprising a first end and a second end for compressing said plurality of flat objects via extension of said second end along said first axis;
• gripper comprising:
• a second compression device having a second axis parallel to said first axis of said first compression device and having a compression foot extending substantially orthogonal to said second axis of said second compression device toward said first compression device for compressing a portion of said plurality of flat objects, thereby dividing said plurality of flat objects into at least a first and a second discrete group,
• a lifting arm proximate said second compression device and moveable in a direction orthogonal to said second axis of said second compression device along a track mounted on said support frame, comprising a tongue element insertable between said first and said second discrete groups to isolate a stack of objects to be manipulated as a subset of said plurality of flat objects, wherein said tongue element comprises a rigid insertion arm flexibly attached to a mounting element and pretensioned toward said second discrete group of flat objects, and
• a displaceable clamp for exerting compressive force against said first discrete group of flat objects for securing said stack of objects between said clamp and said tongue element;
• and
• at least one retainer acting along an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, compressing said second discrete group of flat objects,
• said support frame comprising a rotatable mounting point about which said frame rotates after said frame raises sufficiently high to disengage said at least one retainer from said plurality of flat objects, thereby removing said first discrete group of flat objects from said plurality of flat objects.