Abstract: An automated cutter bed employs a sealer which is mechanically coupled to a tool carriage and moves with it along a first coordinate direction. A first roller is connected with a second roller disposed at the take-off end of the table by an air impermeable sheet which is tensioned between the two rollers by a resilient member housed within each of the rollers causing a preload to be exerted on the air impermeable sheet material. The first roller moves between ends of the table paying out a length of the air impermeable material. As the carriage moves to the cutter datum, equalization is effected by the preloads given in each of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting closed shape pieces into sheet material has a bristle bed conveyorized member advancing the sheet material from a receiving end to a discharge end past a cutting tool performing a cutting operation on the material. Disposed at the discharge end is a take-off ramp responsible for separating the sheet material in a single ply or a layup form from the underlying conveyor member at the juncture where the slats making up the bed depart from the upper run of the conveyor defining the support surface.

Abstract: A switch is employed in a conveyorized transport system which has a first actuator capable of imparting a first linear movement and a second actuator capable of imparting a second linear movement, which actuators being oriented parallel with one another and are slidably mounted on two guide rods secured to a switch base plate. A bracket carrying a transfer rail section is also supported for movement on the guide rods and is moved between a gap in a first rail and in the entrance end of a subsidiary loop or loops oppositely disposed relative to one another by combined or individual movement of the first and second actuators.

Abstract: A variable height workstation includes a trolley delivery apparatus for controllably moving a rail section from a gap formed in a subsidiary loop rail to a workstation located remotely from the loop. A pivotal cam is controllably rotated by an actuator and moves with the rail section and arrests travel of a trolley on the moveable rail section so that rail section may be removed toward the workstation while carrying the trolley. The pivotal cam is also capable of accelerating a trolley off the rail section either after the rail returns to its normal bridging position or from the rail section without it being lowered. The trolley delivery apparatus is employed in a subsidiary loop system whereby a preworkstation indexer is located upstream of it to advance individual diverted trolleys onto the moveable rail section.

Abstract: A variable height workstation includes a trolley delivery apparatus for moving a rail section from a gap formed in a subsidiary loop rail to a workstation located remotely from the loop. A pivotal cam moves with the rail section and arrests travel of a trolley on the movable rail section so that rail section may be moved toward the workstation while carrying the trolley. As the rail section moves upwardly toward the gap formed in the subsidiary loop, the cam rotates and accelerates the trolley off the rail section. The trolley delivery apparatus is employed in a subsidiary loop system whereby a first escapement device is located upstream of it to advance selected one of the diverted trolleys onto the moveable rail section.