Apparatus and method for moving a workpiece

1. A transfer apparatus ( 104 ) for transferring a workpiece ( 116 ), said transfer apparatus ( 104 ) comprising:

(A) at least one support surface ( 124 ) for supporting a workpiece ( 116 );

(B) a carriage ( 128 ) movable with respect to said at least one support surface ( 124 ) between a loading location and an unloading location;

(C) a drive mechanism ( 146 , 150 ) operatively connected to said carriage ( 128 ) for moving said carriage ( 128 ) between said loading location and said unloading location;

said carriage ( 128 ) having

(i) at least one lift member ( 230 ) moveable between a lowered position relative to said at least one support surface ( 124 ) and a raised position relative to said at least one support surface ( 124 ), and

(ii) at least one push member ( 292 ) operatively connected with said at least one lift member ( 230 ) to enable engagement of a workpiece ( 116 ) with said at least one push member ( 292 ) and said at least one lift member ( 230 ) to lift a portion of the workpiece ( 116 ) from said at least one support surface ( 124 ) to decrease the frictional engagement between the workpiece ( 116 ) and said at least one support surface ( 124 );

wherein said carriage ( 128 ) further comprises a drive member ( 180 ) operatively connected with said drive mechanism ( 146 , 150 ); and

wherein

(i) one of said drive member ( 180 ) and said at least one push member ( 292 ) has a projection ( 182 ), and

(ii) the other of said drive member ( 180 ) and said at least one push member ( 292 ) has a recess ( 296 ), whereby cooperation of said projection ( 182 ) with said recess ( 296 ) inhibits relative rotation between said at least one push member ( 292 ) and said drive member ( 180 ).

2. A transfer apparatus ( 104 ) for transferring a workpiece ( 116 ), said transfer apparatus ( 104 ) comprising:

(A) at least one support surface ( 124 ) for supporting a workpiece ( 116 );

(B) a carriage ( 128 ) movable with respect to said at least one support surface ( 124 ) between a loading location and an unloading location;

(C) a drive mechanism ( 146 , 150 ) operatively connected to said carriage ( 128 ) for moving said carriage ( 128 ) between said loading location and said unloading location;

said carriage ( 128 ) having

(i) at least one lift member ( 230 ) moveable between a lowered position relative to said at least one support surface ( 124 ) and a raised position relative to said at least one support surface ( 124 ), and

(ii) at least one push member ( 292 ) operatively connected with said at least one lift member ( 230 ) to enable engagement of a workpiece ( 116 ) with said at least one push member ( 292 ) and said at least one lift member ( 230 ) to lift a portion of the work ice ( 116 ) from said at least one support surface ( 124 ) to decrease the frictional engagement between the workpiece ( 116 ) and said at least one support surface ( 124 ); and

wherein said at least one push member ( 292 ) is rotatably connected with said at least one lift member ( 230 ) such that (i) in a first rotated position said at least one push member ( 292 ) is located below said support surface ( 124 ), and (ii) in a second rotated position some portion of said push member ( 292 ) is located above said support surface ( 124 ).

3. The transfer apparatus ( 104 ) of claim 2 wherein said carriage ( 128 ) further comprises a stop member ( 304 ) arranged on said carriage ( 128 ) to limit the relative rotation between said at least one push member ( 292 ) and said at least one lift member ( 230 ).

4. The transfer apparatus ( 104 ) of claim 2 wherein said carriage ( 128 ) further comprises a switch ( 316 ) having at least a first and second state, wherein rotation of said push member ( 292 ) between said first rotated position and said second rotated position changes the state of said switch ( 316 ).

5. A method of transferring a workpiece ( 116 ) with a transfer apparatus ( 104 ), said method comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining a transfer apparatus ( 104 ) for transferring a workpiece ( 116 ), said transfer apparatus ( 104 ) comprising:

(a) at least one support surface ( 124 ) for supporting a workpiece ( 116 );

(b) a carriage ( 128 ) movable with respect to said at least one support surface ( 124 ) between a loading location and an unloading location;

(c) a drive mechanism ( 146 , 150 ) operatively connected to said carriage ( 128 ) for moving said carriage ( 128 ) between said loading location and said unloading location; said carriage ( 128 ) having

(i) at least one lift member ( 230 ) moveable between a lowered position relative to said at least one support surface ( 124 ) and a raised position relative to said at least one support surface ( 124 ), and

(ii) at least one push member ( 292 ) operatively connected with said at least one lift member ( 230 ) to enable engagement of a workpiece ( 116 ) with said at least one push member ( 292 ) and said at least one lift member ( 230 ) to lift a portion of the workpiece ( 116 ) from said at least one support surface ( 124 ) to decrease the frictional engagement between the workpiece ( 116 ) and said at least one support surface ( 124 );

(B) loading at least a first workpiece ( 116 ) onto said transfer apparatus ( 104 );

(C) moving said carriage ( 128 ) in a first direction with said drive mechanism ( 146 , 150 ) such that said at least one push member ( 292 ) engages the first workpiece ( 116 );

(D) moving said at least one lift member ( 230 ) into said raised position above said at least one support surface ( 124 ) to lift a first portion of the first workpiece ( 116 ) from said at least one support surface ( 124 );

(E) moving said carriage ( 128 ) in said first direction whereby said first portion of the first workpiece ( 116 ) is carried by said lift member ( 230 ) as the first workpiece ( 116 ) is pushed by said push member ( 292 ) whereby a second portion of the first workpiece ( 116 ) slides on said at least one support surface ( 124 );

(F) lowering said first portion of the first workpiece ( 116 ) onto said at least one support surface ( 124 ); and

(G) moving said carriage ( 128 ) in a second direction opposite to said first direction whereby said at least one push member ( 292 ) contacts a second workpiece ( 116 ) to rotate said push member ( 292 ) to slide under the second workpiece ( 116 ).