Abstract: A workpiece transfer assembly which enables a workpiece affixed to a pallet to be rotated at a work station and thereafter returned to its original position for longitudinal indexing along the transfer line. The transfer line includes a pallet locating and supporting unit which carries a first transfer bar segment. The pallet locating and supporting means includes bearing which enable the first transfer bar segment to be longitudinally indexed and rotated about its longitudinal axis. A rotary indexing assembly is provided for rotating the pallet supporting and locating device. A second transfer bar segment is carried by an intermediate transfer section. Both transfer bar segments include end features which interlockingly engage; thus, enabling the rotational and longitudinal movement to be transferred along the bar sections when they are aligned, but permitting the first transfer bar segment to be rotated out of engagement with the remaining transfer bar segments.

Abstract: In a pallet-advancing machine where friction plates on a pair of spaced chains directly engage the bottom face of the pallets near the side edges leaving the central part of the underface of the pallets free. An escapement mechanism embodies a shaft which is mounted adjacent to one or more stations on the center line of the pallets for rotational movement. Stop lugs are mounted on the shaft in position to stop a pallet with one type of stop block at a work station and a pallet with another type of block at a waiting station. By rotating the shaft, the advancement of a pallet into the work station is accurately controlled at the time another pallet is stopped at the waiting station. Two pallets may be advanced at the same time to have one or both located at one or adjacent work stations, the positions for which are accurately controlled by the angular rotation of the shaft first in one direction then in the other direction.