Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
Automatic transfer apparatus
 An automatic transfer apparatus includes a plurality of transfer units which are disposed to face machining units aligned with spacing. Each transfer unit comprises a support base having a workpiece supporting surface and a workpiece positioning mechanism provided on the workpiece supporting surface, an elevation member supported by the support base for vertical movement, an elevating mechanism for lifting and lowering the elevation member between first and second positions, a transfer member supported on the elevation member for movement in a transfer direction and having a workpiece supporting portion, and a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the transfer member. The reciprocating mechanism includes a speed doubling mechanism which is composed of a stationary rack gear provided on the elevation member, a movable rack gear provided on the transfer member, a pinion gear engaged with both rack gears, and a feed mechanism for moving the pinion gear in the transfer direction by a distance roughly corresponding to half the distance between midpoints of adjacent machining units. 
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
B Y B
B23Q Y10T B65G
inventional additional inventional
Takeo Yasuhiro Katsumi
Kondo Okada Isogai