Appeal No. 96-4007 Application No. 08/294,769 APPENDIX 1. A conveyance system comprising an endless flexible belt which circulates through at least two arcs, at least one structurally rigid gripping member attached to the belt, the gripping member having a free end and an anchoring end disposed at opposite ends of the gripping member, a biasing means which biases the gripping member in a closed position, and a pivot attachment located at a medial point on the gripping member between the anchoring end and the free end, wherein the configuration of the biasing means causes the gripping member to be opened as it traverses an arced path and closed against the belt as it traverses a straight path, without interruption in the movement of the path. 9. A method for conveying a workpiece, the method comprising: a) conveying a structurally rigid gripping member in a path which describes a first arc having a predetermined radius, said gripping member having a free end, an anchoring end disposed at opposite ends of the gripping member, and a pivot means located at a medial point on the gripping member between the anchoring end and the free end, the free end being open as it traverses the first arc; b) loading a workpiece into the opening as the gripping member traverses the first arc, while the gripping member is being conveyed; c) conveying the gripping member and workpiece in a path which is substantially straight, said gripping member being closed and firmly holding the workpiece at the free end of the gripping member against the belt as the gripping member traverses the substantially straight path; and d) conveying the gripping member in a path which describes a second arc having a predetermined radius, said gripping member being open as it traverses the second arc to permit the exit of the workpiece. 11Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007