An improved automatic loading and unloading device (10) that can be used for high production machinery. The device (10) utilizes "straight-through" feeding of workpieces across a shuttle table (16) to a work station and through same to a discharge chute (70) minimizing the jamming of the pieces. In addition, the device simultaneously indexes new workpieces on the shuttle table (16) by means of a loading/unloading assembly (14) while previous workpieces are being machined. The device can also be used for supplying and indexing workpieces on a batch basis rather than an individual workpiece basis.

A system for transferring workpieces generally vertically from a station at one height in a workpiece support or transfer device to a station at another height in another transfer device or support. The workpiece is moved vertically by an elevator which travels along a path through the stations from a point below the lower station to a point above the upper station. To smoothly and rapidly move the workpiece the elevator is accelerated and decelerated and dwells at least when picking up and depositing a workpiece. To avoid collisions, interference and the necessity of precisely synchronizing movement of the transfer and elevator, when in its fully raised and lowered positions, the elevator is clear of and does not interfere with the transfer and supports and any workpieces in the stations.

A game device for development of coordination and concentration among children as well as adults is disclosed. The device includes a microprocessor mounted within a housing having indicia representing a pair of hands and a pair of feet. Each participant has access to four switches operable by the hands and feet. The microprocessor generates a sequence of tones or lights, each being associated with a hand or foot on the housing. A pair of arrows may be mounted on the housing to indicate whether the sequence is proceeding clockwise or counter clockwise. Each participant attempts to repeat the sequence by activating the proper switch shortly after each tone or light or both. Play continues until a participant makes an error at which point play ceases. In another embodiment, the game can be played to control the interaction of two participants with one participant generating a first rotation or random sequence to be repeated by the other participant.

A method and apparatus for discharging work product from a device wherein a roller which is biased to push against the top of the work product cooperates with a stopper which engages the surface of the work product for displacing the work product, one-by-one from the device to a discharge chute.

A workpiece transporting apparatus particularly adapted to allow a rapid transfer of workpieces through a sealable opening between opposite sides of a wall, and thus rapid loading and unloading of vacuum processing or other sealable chambers. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus employs a walking beam accumulator which comprises a first frame having a beam or rack with a series of locations for supporting a group of substrate holders, and a similar second frame mounted for rotation on an eccentric so that each holder supported by the first frame is removed, moved forward, and placed into an adjacent location on the first frame. The apparatus also employs a mechanism for relatively moving the walking beam accumulator and a workpiece receiver between a first position in which the wall opening can be sealed and a second position in which workpieces can be transferred between the accumulator and the receiver via the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the receiver is a rotatable drum inside a process chamber. The receiver may also be a second accumulator.