Importance

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Abstract

A grab mechanism device for transporting a plurality of vertically oriented plates having lift lugs from a holding container such as a vat. The grab mechanism is mounted on a vertically movable load frame. The grab mechanism and load frame overlie the vat. An aligner frame is slidably mounted relative to the load frame and has guides for aligning said aligner frame with the holding container and also overlying the plates. The load frame can be lowered relative to the aligner frame forming part of the grab mechanism in position to engage the lift lugs of the plates. The grab means is selectively controlled to engage a set of the plates in the container or vat. The plates are lifted out of the container by lifting the load frame and grab mechanism relative to the aligner frame. The aligner frame includes 'combs' for interdigitally separating the bottom of the plates from one another after the plates have been lifted from the holding container. Then the load frame grab mechanism plates and aligner frame may be lifted clear of the container and moved by a crane, for example, to a remote location. The grabs means comprises a plurality of pivoted lug engaging means adapted to intersect the lift lugs on the plates to support the weight of the plates. The plurality of lug engaging means may preferably comprise alternating pairs controlled to selectively intersect lugs on alternating plates.

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First Claim