Lift and carry accumulating conveyor system

Abstract

An accumulating lift and carry conveyor system is disclosed which is particularly suitable tier conveying piston connecting rods. The conveyor includes a frame defining an arcuate conveyor section having a receiving end and a discharging end. A pair of arcuate, spaced apart and parallel stationary rails are secured to an upper end of the frame and the stationary rails are adapted to engage and support opposite sides of a workpiece. A pair of arcuate, spaced apart and parallel transfer rails are contained in between the stationary rails and are movable both between an upper and lower position as well as between a forward and a retracted position. An arcuate lift beam is disposed beneath the transfer rails while a slide assembly is disposed between the top of the lift beam and the transfer rails for enabling movement of the rails between their forward and retracted position. The lift beam is also movable between an upper and a lower position. In order to move the lift beam between its upper and lower position, a lift member is provided adjacent each end of and beneath the lift beam. These lift members are pivotal between a raised and lowered positions thus simultaneously moving the lift beam between its upper and lower position. A pair of link arms are connected via a bell crank between the lift members to ensure the lift members pivot in unison with each other.