Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the over-tilt of a gripper assembly in a cassette loading device is described. The apparatus provides an additional sensor arm system rigidly mounted to the gripper assembly such that the additional sensor arm not only provides a method for it to reach an over-tilt position, but also provides a mechanical stop to manually stop the gripper assembly from making further motion beyond the maximum downward-tilt position of the arm. The apparatus may further be provided with a warning system and a manual override device such that a machine operator may be alerted of the over-tilt condition and further, may manually override the sensor system by temporarily restoring power to the gripper assembly and returning it to a safe position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a support mechanism for laterally supporting an article on a platform by utilizing a stabilizing means such that when a support plate is in an upright position to laterally support an article situated on the platform, the stabilizing means is placed in a relaxed state for stabilizing the upright position of the support member. The stabilizing means can be advantageously an extensible spring or a compressible spring to be used to modify an existing loading/unloading apparatus and to achieve the desirable benefits of the present invention method and apparatus.