Apparatus and method for transferring leg quarter from shackle

摘要

Mechanical assembly comprising a roller chain mounted on multiple sprockets attached via shafts and bearings to a frame. Multiple unloader shackles are attached to the roller chain such that all shackles are aligned in a consistent manner. The roller chain assembly is mounted in such a way as to align it longitudinally with an overhead shackle-line. It is mounted in such a way as to allow the individual unloader shackles to align directly opposite the individual overhead shackles at a specific offset distance and travel in the same direction as the overhead shackles. It is also mounted in such a way as to allow the attached shackles to rise in elevation from beneath the overhead shackles as they travel in the same direction as the overhead shackles. The chain is driven at a rate which synchronizes the attached unloader shackles with the overhead shackle-line to which it is aligned in order to transfer a carcass such as a leg quarter.