Mandrel pin

In a mandrel for supporting a poultry carcass on a conveyor for processing, the improvement comprising:

• a pin having a pointed end attached to said mandrel and oriented so as to pierce the keel bone of said poultry when said poultry carcass is placed on said mandrel for processing so as to stabilize said poultry carcass on said mandrel during processing;
• means for extending said pin from said mandrel and retracting said pin into said mandrel;
• and
• means for locking said pin into an extended position;
• wherein said means for extending and retracting comprises:
• (a) a slot extending longitudinally through the top of said mandrel,
• (b) an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted in said slot, and having a plunger arm and a pin arm and a pivot therebetween,
• (c) a plunger pivotally mounted to said plunger arm and extending therefrom generally vertically through said slot,
• (d) a pin holder having a first end pivotally mounted to said pin arm and a second end having means for rigidly attaching said pin so that said pointed end of said pin is extended generally horizontally therefrom, and
• (e) a trigger arm rigidly affixed to said L-shaped lever at said pivot and extending rearwardly relative to said pointed end of said pin;
• such that downward pressure on said plunger causes said L-shaped lever to rotate thereby extending said pin and downward pressure on said trigger arm causes reverse rotation of said L-shaped level thereby retracting said pin.