Part loading apparatus having harmonically driven shuttle and pivotal part supporting frame

A part loading apparatus for moving a workpiece from a first position to a second position, while moving said workpiece from generally a first plane to generally a second plane for transfer to a work station comprising:

• rail means for transporting said workpiece between said first and second positions;
• shuttle means disposed on said rail means for reciprocally moving between said first and second positions;
• drive means for harmonically driving said shuttle means between said first and second positions, wherein said shuttle means decelerates when approaching said first and second positions, and accelerates when leaving said first and second positions;
• and
• frame means for carrying said workpiece from said first position to said second position, said frame means supported on said shuttle means for pivotal movement from said first plane to said second plane while said shuttle means moves between said first and second positions, wherein said frame means further includes an elongated frame pivotally connected to said shuttle means between first and second ends for movement between said first and second planes, said frame having part support means adjacent said first end, and anchored link means for connecting said second end of said frame to a stationary point such that as said shuttle means is driven between said first and second positions, said frame is driven between said first and second planes.

A part loading apparatus for moving a workpiece from a first position to a second position, while moving said workpiece from generally a first plane to generally a second plane for transfer to a work station comprising:

• rail means for transporting said workpiece between said first and second positions;
• shuttle means disposed on said rail means for reciprocally moving between said first and second positions, wherein said shuttle means includes a generally planar member having at least one rail-engaging means for supporting the planar member from the rail means, the planar member having a link connection and a pivot connection disposed thereon;
• drive means for harmonically driving said shuttle means between said first and second positions, wherein said shuttle means decelerates when approaching said first and second positions, and accelerates when leaving said first and second positions;
• and
• frame means for carrying said workpiece from said first position to said second position, said frame means supported on said shuttle means for pivotal movement from said first plane to said second plane while said shuttle means moves between said first and second positions.

A part loading apparatus for moving a workpiece from a first position to a second position, while moving said workpiece from generally a first plane to generally a second plane for transfer to a work station comprising:

• rail means for transporting said workpiece between said first and second positions;
• shuttle means disposed on said rail means for reciprocally moving between said first and second positions;
• rotary motion drive means for driving said shuttle means between said first and second positions, wherein said shuttle means decelerates when approaching said first and second positions, and accelerates when leaving said first and second positions;
• driven link means for connecting said drive means to said shuttle means for translating rotary motion of said drive means into harmonic linear motion of said shuttle means;
• frame means for carrying said workpiece from said first position to said second position, said frame means supported on said shuttle means for pivotal movement from said first plane to said second plane while said shuttle means moves between said first and second positions;
• and
• anchored link means for connecting said frame means to a stationary point for translating linear motion of said shuttle means into pivotal motion of said frame means such that as said shuttle means is driven between said first and second positions, said frame means is driven between said first and second planes.

A part loading apparatus for moving a workpiece from a first position to a second position, while moving said workpiece from generally a first plane to generally a second plane for transfer to a work station comprising:

• at least one rail for transporting said workpiece between said first and second positions;
• a shuttle disposed on said rail for reciprocally moving between said first and second positions;
• a drive for harmonically driving said shuttle between said first and second positions, wherein said shuttle decelerates when approaching said first and second positions, and accelerates when leaving said first and second positions, said drive including a reversible motor for driving a crank arm in rotation between a first angular position and a second angular position;
• a driven link for connecting said crank arm to said shuttle for translating rotary motion of said crank arm into harmonic linear motion of said shuttle;
• an elongated part-supporting frame for carrying said workpiece from said first position to said second position, said frame supported on said shuttle for pivotal movement from said first plane to said second plane while said shuttle moves between said first and second positions, said frame pivotally connected to said shuttle between first and second ends for movement between said first and second planes;
• an anchored link for connecting said second end of said frame to a stationary point for translating linear movement of said shuttle into pivotal movement of said frame such that as said shuttle is driven between said first and second positions, said frame is driven between said first and second planes;
• and
• part support means adjacent said first end of said frame for holding said workpiece relative to said frame while moving between said first and second planes.