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.
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