Dual-table separating apparatus

A separating apparatus has a frame comprised of a stationary lower frame and a tiltable upper frame. A pair of longitudinally independently displaceable tables are spring-biased into respective central positions on the frame and are each displaceable in either longitudinal direction from these central positions. A drive assembly comprises an electric motor operatively connected to a crank pin that is rotated so as to move longitudinally relative to the frame. A link is connected between this crank pin on the front table and the rear table so that the two tables are moved oppositely longitudinally relative to each other when the motor operates. A stabilizer including a two-arm lever pivoted on the frame and having a pair of arms each connected via a respective stabilizing link to a respective table may be provided in the arrangement in order to insure that the strokes of the two tables remain at a fixed ratio to each other.