Martin J Westley

US Patent:

44653271, Aug 14, 1984

Filed:

Mar 8, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/353982

Inventors:

Martin J. Westley - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

A21B 8106

US Classification:

312 11

Abstract:

Successive, juxtaposed, outwardly extending, receiving cradles are arranged in a continuous belt by having at their proximal ends, link like bases which are connected together hingedly in tandem by their leading and trailing edges which form hinge members. Opposed wedged shaped, sidewise protruding trunnions extend from the proximal end plates of each cradle and these trunnions are received within laterally opposed, linear channels in the upstanding side panels of a support member. The channels thus confine the wedge shaped trunnions to form adjacent parallel upper and lower flights so that the cradles protrude upwardly generally parallel to each other in the upper flight and downwardly generally parallel to each other in the lower flight. The ends of the channels are sufficiently wide to accomodate the pivoting of the wedge shaped trunnions which permit the cradles to be advanced manually by the movement of an upper outer cradle in an arcuate path from the upper flight to the lower flight or movement of the lower outer cradle in an arcuate path from the lower to the upper flight. The wedge shaped trunnions form ratchets which restrict advancing the support member to one direction.