Lockable latch for an apparatus having a combined latch actuation and carrier movement

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a trolley supporting a carrier for movement between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the trolley;
• a releasable latch for holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in an engaged position;
• and
• means for locking the latch in the engaged position, wherein the locking means includes a pin operably engagable with the latch for holding the latch in the engaged position when in a locked position, and for allowing movement of the latch to a disengaged position when the pin is in an unlocked position, and a catch operably engagable with the pin and movable between a trapped position and a released position, where the catch retains the pin in the locked position when the catch is in the trapped position, and allows movement of the pin from the locked position to the unlocked position when the catch is in the released position, the catch supported by the trolley for pivoting movement about an axis for rotation between the trapped position and the released position in response to engagement with a stationary member located at the workstation, such that the catch is rotated to the released position when the trolley comes to a stop at the workstation.

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a trolley supporting a carrier for movement between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the trolley;
• a releasable latch for holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in an engaged position;
• and
• means for locking the latch in the engaged position, wherein the locking means includes a pin operably engagable with the latch for holding the latch in the engaged position when in a locked position, and for allowing movement of the latch to a disengaged position when the pin is in an unlocked position, the pin mounted for reciprocating passive movement within an aperture formed in the carrier from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the latch moving from the engaged position toward the disengaged position.

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a trolley supporting a carrier for movement between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the trolley;
• a releasable latch for holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in an engaged position;
• means for locking the latch in the engaged position;
• and
• a lockout pin operable with respect to the latch for preventing movement of the latch from the engaged position until the lockout pin is removed, the carrier having a pair of coaxial apertures associated therewith for receiving the lockout pin in a position obstructing free movement of the latch from the engaged position.

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a trolley supporting a carrier for movement between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the trolley;
• an elongate guide member having opposite sides extending in a direction of carrier travel and associated with a lower portion of the carrier;
• and
• a stationary guide channel located at a workstation for engaging the opposite sides of the guide member during horizontal movement of the trolley when the carrier is being moved into the workstation, and for guiding vertical movement of the carrier between the raised and lowered positions while the trolley is stationary at the workstation.

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a carrier connectible with respect to a trolley for supporting at least one workpiece for movement along a rail with respect to a workstation, the carrier moveable between a raised position and a lowered position when positioned at the workstation;
• at least one latch positioned adjacent a bottom surface of the carrier and moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the latch holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in the engaged position and allowing movement of the carrier with respect to the trolley when in the disengaged position;
• and
• a lock operably engagable with the latch for preventing unintentional movement of the latch from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a carrier connectible with respect to a trolley for supporting at least one workpiece for movement along a rail with respect to a workstation, the carrier moveable between a raised position and a lowered position when positioned at the workstation;
• at least one latch moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the latch holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in the engaged position and allowing movement of the carrier with respect to the trolley when in the disengaged position;
• and
• a lock operably engagable with the latch for preventing unintentional movement of the latch from the engaged position to the disengaged position, wherein the lock includes a catch supported by the trolley for movement between a trapped position and a released position, where the catch retains the pin in the locked position when the catch is in the trapped position, and allows movement of the pin from the locked position to the unlocked position when the catch is in the released position, the catch supported by the trolley for pivoting movement about an axis for rotation between the trapped position and the released position in response to engagement with a stationary member located at the workstation, such that the catch is rotated to the released position when the trolley comes to a stop at the workstation.

An apparatus for transporting at least one workpiece comprising:

• a carrier connectible with respect to a trolley for supporting at least one workpiece for movement along a rail with respect to a workstation, the carrier moveable between a raised position and a lowered position when positioned at the workstation;
• at least one latch moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the latch holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in the engaged position and allowing movement of the carrier with respect to the trolley when in the disengaged position;
• and
• a lock operably engagable with the latch for preventing unintentional movement of the latch from the engaged position to the disengaged position, wherein the lock includes a pin operably engagable with the latch for holding the latch in the engaged position when in a locked position, and for allowing movement of the latch to the disengaged position when in an unlocked position, the pin mounted for reciprocating passive movement within an aperture formed in the carrier from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the latch moving from the engaged position toward the disengaged position.

An apparatus comprising:

• a carrier connectible with respect to a trolley for supporting at least one workpiece for movement along a rail with respect to a workstation, the carrier moveable between a raised position and a lowered position when positioned at the workstation;
• at least one latch moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the latch holding the carrier in the raised position with respect to the trolley when in the engaged position and allowing movement of the carrier with respect to the trolley when in the disengaged position;
• a lock operably engagable with the latch for preventing unintentional movement of the latch from the engaged position to the disengaged position;
• and
• a lockout pin operable with respect to the latch for preventing movement of the latch from the engaged position until the lockout pin is removed, the carrier having a pair of coaxial apertures associated therewith for receiving the lockout pin in a position obstructing free movement of the latch from the engaged position.