WORKPIECE STORAGE ASSEMBLY

摘要

A workpiece storage assembly includes a frame and a holding assembly comprising plurality of loading assemblies mounted in series on the frame including a first loading assembly and a plurality of succeeding loading assemblies extending in a downstream direction from the first loading assembly. Each loading assembly is movable into a closed position, a pre-loaded position and a loaded position and each is constructed and arranged to be moved from the pre-loaded position to the loaded position thereof by a workpiece associated therewith moving in an upstream direction and to hold the associated workpiece in a respective storage position in the frame in the loaded position thereof. Each loading assembly is constructed and arranged to be moved from its loaded position to its pre-loaded position by a workpiece associated therewith moving in a downstream direction to release the associated workpiece from the respective storage position in the frame. Each loading assembly is operatively engaged with each adjacent loading assembly such that movement of a loading assembly from its pre-loaded position into its loaded position moves the loading assembly immediately downstream therefrom from its closed position into its pre-loaded position and movement of a loading assembly from its loaded position into its pre-loaded position moves the loading assembly immediately downstream therefrom from its pre-loaded position into its closed position.