Slideable Jaws Patents (Class 294/119.1)
  • Patent number: 11846806
    Abstract: A stress compensating pick-up tool for aligning a companion chip with a host chip includes a tool tip and an actuator. The tool tip holds the companion chip, and includes a first tip portion and a second tip portion. The actuator applies a force to the tool tip, wherein the force causes the first tip portion and the second tip portion to rotate in opposite directions with respect to one another to optically align a portion of the companion chip with a corresponding portion of the host chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Raphael Beaupré-Laflamme, Simon Savard
  • Patent number: 11778753
    Abstract: One aspect relates to a method of manufacture of an electronic assembly comprising at least these steps: providing a substrate having at least a first contact area; positioning a spot of a UV curable substance on the substrate; positioning an electrically conductive item on the substrate wherein the electrically conductive item is superimposed on the first contact area and on the spot of curable substance; exposing the UV curable substance to UV irradiation, wherein a mechanical connection between the electrically conductive item and substrate is formed; and optionally connecting the first contact area with the electrically conductive item. One aspect relates to an electronic assembly comprising a substrate with a contact area, a spot of a cured substance on the substrate and an electrically conductive item that is in electrically conductive connection with the first contact area and mechanically connected through the spot of cured substance to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Heraeus Deutschland Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ilias Nikolaidis, Alexander Zimmermann, Thomas Lauinger
  • Patent number: 11458638
    Abstract: A robot multi-degree-of-freedom clamper has a short stroke biaxial cylinder installed on the clamping jaw supporting frame and an output end connected with a pneumatic clamping jaw A. In addition, a clamping jaw finger A is connected with an output end of the pneumatic clamping jaw A. A long stroke biaxial cylinder is connected with a pneumatic clamping jaw B. A clamping jaw finger B is connected with the output end of the pneumatic clamping jaw B. A pneumatic clamping jaw C is positioned between the pneumatic clamping jaw A and the pneumatic clamping jaw B. A clamping jaw finger C is connected with the output end of the pneumatic clamping jaw C. The clamping jaw finger A and the pneumatic clamping jaw A are driven by the short stroke biaxial cylinder to move back and forth on the clamping jaw supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SHENYANG INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Jinguo Liu, Yunjun Liu
  • Patent number: 11407123
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a telescoping suction gripper assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a telescoping suction gripper assembly comprising a telescoping member and a suction gripper mechanism, wherein a first end of the telescoping member is coupled to a vacuum supply conduit via a first flexible conduit member and a second end of the telescoping member is coupled to the suction gripper mechanism by a second flexible conduit member, and wherein the suction gripper mechanism is pivotally coupled to the at least one robotic; wherein the telescoping member is configured to adjust in length in response to the at least one robotic arm relocating the suction gripper mechanism from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: AMP Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Carter J. Schultz, Brian J. Leach, Alexander C. Kee, Matanya B. Horowitz, Mark Baybutt
  • Patent number: 11400603
    Abstract: An end effector device includes a housing having an opening, a first gripper, and a second gripper. The first gripper includes a first finger and a second finger facing each other and configured to open and close. The second gripper includes a third finger and a fourth finger facing each other and configured to open and close in a direction intersecting the first gripper. The first finger, the second finger, the third finger, and the fourth finger each protrude from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inui
  • Patent number: 11305436
    Abstract: A lateral gripper includes a gripper mount, and two gripper jaw modules assembled on the gripper mount. Each gripper jaw module includes a sliding block and a gripper jaw. The sliding block drives the gripper jaw to slide on the gripper mount. The gripper jaw is configured to grip a drill box by multi-point contact, so that the freedom of the drill box is restricted, and the drill box can be stably carried by the gripper jaw modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: TCTM (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Chia-Li Tao, Chien-Chang Chu
  • Patent number: 11292139
    Abstract: A gripper includes at least one first gripper finger adjustably mounted to a gripper main body by a gripping finger mount, at least one second gripper finger cooperating with the first gripper finger, and a motor-drivable transmission configured to adjust the at least one first gripper finger relative to the gripper main body and the at least one second gripper finger such that a clamping force is generated, whereby an article can be held in a clamped manner by the gripper. The transmission includes a first transmission member connected to the first gripper finger, and a second transmission member mounted on the gripper main body by a transmission-member bearing arrangement having a first transmission member bearing configured to absorb the transmission-bearing reaction force that acts in a direction of the clamping force. The transmission-member bearing arrangement includes a sensor configured to sense the transmission-bearing reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Brudniok
  • Patent number: 11288810
    Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system includes obtaining and processing first data representative of an object at a start location. An event may be detected while implementing an operation based on the image data. A gripper height that corresponds to the event may be determined. Accordingly, the method may include calculating an object height that represents a height estimate of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MUJIN, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosen Diankov, Huan Liu, Xutao Ye, Jose Jeronimo Moreira Rodrigues, Yoshiki Kanemoto, Jinze Yu, Russell Islam
  • Patent number: 11161691
    Abstract: A system and method for automated palletization of totes and cuboid containers includes an end effector having fingers projecting outwardly. The fingers may engage recesses in the totes. Alternatively, actuators on fixed fingers can move gripping surfaces into engagement with the totes or containers. Or actuators on a body of the end effector can move the fingers, which include gripping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano La Rovere, Tolga Kol, Athanasios Voilis, Vidmantas Saltis
  • Patent number: 11141865
    Abstract: A gripper for an articulable arm of an automated processing tool is described that is suitable for picking and placing objects on a wire harness peg board. The gripper includes at least two spaced apart opposing grips. Each grip further includes spaced apart protrusions. The opposing grips and protrusions actuate between open and closed positions. When in the closed position the opposing grips are capable of enclosing a perimeter of an object and may further support an underside of the object. The gripper may further grip a wire so that the automated processing tool may orient the wire and apply a constant upward, downward or lateral tension on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Design Ready Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ryan Fujitake, Christopher Mackedanz, Kaitlin Paige Hansen, Austin Paul Strong, Troy Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 11078062
    Abstract: A layer-picking load-clamping and lifting assembly for mounting on a lift truck is capable of bidirectionally side-shifting a load-clamping assembly substantially straightly along a side-shifting length. The load clamping assembly has opposed clamp arms each selectively movable along a direction parallel to the side-shifting length so as to be selectively separable in a plurality of different possible relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Cascade Corpoation
    Inventors: Francesco Andriolo, Roberto Mazzoleni
  • Patent number: 11022205
    Abstract: A transmission module for transmitting torques having a base, a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft parallel thereto, a first output shaft and a second output shaft, both rotatable about a common axis, the axes of the drive shafts are arranged parallel to the axis of the output shafts, a gear unit, where the two drive shafts, the gear unit and the first output shaft are rotatably supported in the base, and the second output shaft is rotatably supported in the first output shaft and the gear unit is designed in such a way that a synchronous rotary movement of the two output shafts can be effected by a rotary movement of the first drive shaft and a relative rotary movement of the two output shafts can be effected by a rotary movement of the second drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Joas Leemann, Christoph Latzer
  • Patent number: 10974367
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a grip jaw structure with characteristics as follows: a cam disk is driven by a rotary motor; two transmission shafts are driven through two slotted guideways in the cam disk; lubricants inside the slotted guideways adhere to a plurality of bearings in which the transmission shafts in the slotted guideways are inserted when the transmission shafts are shifted; sliders between which a workpiece is clamped are driven to be shifted by the transmission shafts along linear rails at the top of the framework for stresses sustained and dispersed by bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOYO AUTOMATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Cheng Tseng, Kuei Tun Teng, Hsiang Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10899558
    Abstract: A bottle neck gripper includes first and second jaw components, each pivotally mounted for rotation about a respective pivot axis, the first jaw component including a first permanent magnet mounted thereon, the second jaw component including a second permanent magnet mounted thereon. The first permanent magnet and second permanent magnet are positioned to be attracted to each other. An attractive force of the magnets urges grip ends of the first and second jaw components toward each other. The pivot axis of the first jaw component is located between the first permanent magnet and the grip end, and the pivot axis of the second jaw component is located between the second permanent magnet and the grip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: FEDERAL MFG. LLC
    Inventors: Alexandru Berceanu, Cezary Mroz, Michael J. Nieberding
  • Patent number: 10843311
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automation component or clamping device including a basic housing, at least one jaw movably guided in a jaw guide of the basic housing, and a piston movably guided in the basic housing, wherein the piston has a piston surface, wherein the piston is coupled in terms of movement to the jaw, and wherein a piston rod extending on the piston transversely with respect to the piston surface, wherein the centroid of the piston surface is spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis of the piston rod (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SCHUNK GMBH & CO. KG SPANN-UND GREIFTECHNIK
    Inventors: Benjamin Kirsten, Samuel Wuetherich
  • Patent number: 10786908
    Abstract: An adapter which allows an object to be pulled into a chamber after being gripped by a gripper module with a drive, said chamber being formed by an outer shell is provided. The outer shell is designed to at least partly cover the object and is sufficiently large so as to shield the object. The adapter can be understood as a gripper base system to which the gripper module is adapted. The drive pulls the entire gripper module including the object into the gripper base system. The adapter provides a safety gripper system with an object housing for a safe human/robot interaction. The outer shell protects persons from sharp-edged objects which are gripped by the gripper module and which could otherwise lead to an injury of the persons located in the working area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Detlef Gerhard
  • Patent number: 10723019
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an end effector for use with a programmable motion device. The end effector includes a pair of mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces being movable with respect to an end effector support structure for supporting the at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10703584
    Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system includes obtaining and processing first data representative of an object at a start location; obtaining additional data as the object is transferred to a task location, wherein the additional data includes information regarding one or more edges and/or one or more surfaces separate from portions of the object captured in the first data; and creating registration data representative of the object based on the additional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MUJIN, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosen Nikolaev Diankov, Huan Liu, Xutao Ye, Jose Jeronimo Moreira Rodrigues, Yoshiki Kanemoto, Jinze Yu, Russell Islam
  • Patent number: 10676324
    Abstract: A common connection apparatus for coupling a power tool to an extensible arm and a power supply, the apparatus including a tool support base designed to support a tool, and a power supply support base designed to be affixed to the end of the extensible arm. The tool support base and the power supply support base each include a plurality of power connectors, positioned for engagement when the bases are aligned. The tool support base also has an alignment stab, which is received within a channel of the power supply support base. A plurality of pins are further positioned on the tool support base, to be received in apertures of the power supply support base. By this configuration, the bases may be aligned and engaged, facilitating the transmission of power from the machinery to which the arm is affixed, to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas A Weeks
  • Patent number: 10654176
    Abstract: Finger assemblies at the end of a robotic arm end effector includes talon that are retractable. Retraction may be accomplished by a vertical or horizontal barrel cam, a paddle and spin assembly, and/or a resilient plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jude Royston Jonas, Ennio Claretti, Justin Thomas Juranovits, Andrew D. Marchese
  • Patent number: 10639800
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an end effector for a robotic manipulator has a base that is configured to attach to the end of a robotic arm, a first fork, and a second fork. The end first fork includes a first pair of prongs that extend from the base along a first direction and that are spaced from one another so as to receive a first storage container therebetween. The second fork includes a second pair of prongs that extend from the base along a second direction that is angularly offset from the first direction and that are spaced from one another so as to receive a second storage container therebetween. The first and second forks can be used to stack or unstack the first and second containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vahideh Kamranzadeh, Todd McIntosh, Seshachalamgupta Motamarri, Tyson Wittrock
  • Patent number: 10618183
    Abstract: A robot arm and a transfer robot are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot arm includes an arm body and a plurality of adjustment units. The arm body has a first carrying surface and defines a length direction along which a length of the arm body is in and a width direction along which a width of the arm body is in. The adjustment units is disposed on at least one side of the arm body in the width direction. Each adjustment unit includes: a connection member fixed to the arm body, and an adjustment member movably connected to the connection member and having a second carrying surface that is parallel to the first carrying surface. The adjustment member is movable relative to the connection member in the width direction so that the second carrying surface is adjustable in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., CHONGQING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaiqiang Li, Yang Yu, Jinwei Zhu, Yi Ouyang, Wujie Nan, Wensong Wang, Penggen Ding
  • Patent number: 10604381
    Abstract: A passenger conveyor lifting device lifts a unit that includes a frame body constituting at least one lengthwise direction part of a main frame of a passenger conveyor, and a unit device supported by the frame body. The lifting device includes a lifting attachment fitting and a lifting rope. The lifting attachment fitting includes a pair of attachment bases attached detachably to respective upper surfaces of a pair of side frame portions constituting respective width direction end portions of the frame body, and a reinforcing member connecting the pair of attachment bases above the unit device disposed between the pair of side frame portions. The lifting rope lifts the unit while hooked to the respective side frame portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 10607879
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame and at least one substrate transport arm having at least one end effector, each end effector having a base portion, a first and second substrate support tines mounted to and dependent from the base portion where at least one of the first and second substrate support tines is movable relative to the base portion, each of the first and second substrate support tines having respective substrate contacts configured to contact and support a substrate held by the end effector between the respective contacts of the first and second substrate support tines at a substrate support seat dimension span between the substrate contacts of the first and second substrate support tines, and an end effector drive section configured to vary a distance between the first and second substrate support tines relative to each other on the fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Cavins, Leigh F. Sharrock, Kyle M. Letourneau, Stacey McKinney, Dave Jarzynka
  • Patent number: 10556338
    Abstract: Apparatuses including compliant tips and methods of manipulating items using the compliant tips are described herein. An example apparatus may include a robotic manipulator and a pair of end effectors. One end effector may include a pair of actuator-driven fingers that each include a compliant tip. The compliant tips may be used to scoop underneath items as part of item manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Marchese, Matthew Michael Budnick, Ennio Claretti, Jude Royston Jonas
  • Patent number: 10549394
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamp device. The clamp device is provided with a driving force transmission mechanism, which transmits driving force from a drive unit to clamp arms. The driving force transmission mechanism converts the rectilinear movement of a piston rod of the drive unit into: a first operation, in which the clamp arms rotate while moving in directions toward or away from each other; and a second operation, in which the clamp arms move in parallel in directions toward or away from each other with gripping surfaces in a mutually parallel state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiaki Fukui, Kazuyoshi Takahashi, Takeshi Seo
  • Patent number: 10544634
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular handling system for maneuvering tubulars onto or off of a rig and including a tubular grip adapted to engage a variety of tubular sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Veristic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Chang, Brian Cunningham, Charles Vora
  • Patent number: 10525602
    Abstract: An automation component or clamping device includes a basic housing, at least one jaw movably guided in a jaw guide of the basic housing, and a piston movably guided in the basic housing, wherein the piston has a piston surface, wherein the piston is coupled in terms of movement to the jaw, and wherein a piston rod extending on the piston transversely with respect to the piston surface, wherein the centroid of the piston surface is spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHUNK GMBH & CO. KG SPANN-UND GREIFTECHNIK
    Inventors: Benjamin Kirsten, Samuel Wuetherich, Michael Franz
  • Patent number: 10493634
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic end effector configured to mount to a robotic manipulator includes gripping elements configured to grasp objects, a drive mechanism configured to open and close the gripping elements, and a central controller configured to control operation of the drive mechanism and the gripper elements, the central controller hosting a control program that enables control of the end effector independent of the robotic manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Redwan Alqasemi, Paul Mitzlaff, Andoni Aguirrezabal, Lei Wu, Karl Rothe, Rajiv Dubey
  • Patent number: 10483151
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a substrate transfer apparatus includes: a first gripping plate; a first claw that is supported by the first gripping plate, and has an abutment surface abutting on the outer peripheral surface of a substrate located above and below a surface of the first gripping plate; a second gripping plate arranged as overlapping with the first gripping plate; a second claw that is supported by the second gripping plate, and has an abutment surface abutting on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate located above and below the surface of the first gripping plate; and a gripping part configured to move the first gripping plate and the second gripping plate relative to each other such that the first claw and the second claw move close to and away from each other in a direction intersecting the outer peripheral surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SHIBAURA MECHATRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Furuya
  • Patent number: 10471602
    Abstract: A gripper includes a body frame mounted on a magazine transfer robot. A first guide assembly is mounted on the body frame. A first gripping unit is movable along the first guide assembly. A second gripping unit is movable along the first guide assembly. A driver is configured to move the first gripping unit in a first direction. The driver is configured to move the second gripping unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripping unit includes a first finger unit and a second finger unit independently moveable with respect to the first finger unit. The second gripping unit is spaced apart from the first gripping unit. The second gripping unit includes a third finger unit and a fourth finger unit independently moveable with respect to the third finger unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Seong Ko, Kwang-Jun Kim, Jung Jun Park, Hee Yun Choi
  • Patent number: 10456925
    Abstract: A gripper comprising an actuator and two fingers mounted parallel at a distance from each other on the actuator for movement perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the fingers, the fingers having a longitudinal body attached at one end to the actuator. The fingers having two longitudinal claws at the end opposite to the end attached to the actuator, the claws being spaced apart so that there is an elongated gap between the claws. At least one of the fingers having a groove for accommodating an optical fiber which extends partially into the elongated gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
    Inventors: Sami Paavilainen, Juha Savonsalmi
  • Patent number: 10434661
    Abstract: A workpiece container stores at least one workpiece having a bottom surface and a peripheral edge. In one embodiment, a workpiece support structure is located within the container enclosure, which forms multiple vertically stacked storage shelves within the enclosure. Each storage shelf includes, in one embodiment, a first tine and a second tine for supporting the workpiece in a substantially horizontal orientation. The bottom surface and peripheral edge of a workpiece seated on a storage shelf extends beyond the outer edge of both the first tine and the second tine. An end effector may engage these extended portions or “grip zones” of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony C. Bonora
  • Patent number: 10377617
    Abstract: An opposable clamp arm of a load handling device such as a lift truck attachment. An upper clamp pad portion may have a generally planar plate as a main member and may have a load-gripping face layer. A lower clamp pad assembly has a plurality of separately replaceable wear-compensating load-contacting elements mounted interchangeably on a backing plate attached to a stabilizer member of the clamp arm. The load-contacting elements may be secured to the backing plate by retainer bars fastened to the backing plate with flanges of the retainer bars overlapping margins of the load contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Schindlbeck, Richard R. Estep
  • Patent number: 10369701
    Abstract: A method of operating a package handling system includes: receiving first image data representative of a first surface image of a package surface; identifying a pair of intersecting edges for the package surface based on the first image; determining a minimum viable region based on the pair of edges, the minimum viable region for gripping and lifting the package; receiving second image data representative of the package after the lift; and creating registration data based on the third image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MUJIN, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosen Diankov, Huan Liu, Xutao Ye, Jose Jeronimo Moreira Rodrigues, Yoshiki Kanemoto, Jinze Yu, Russell Islam
  • Patent number: 10354900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate transfer apparatus including: a pair of hands facing with each other; an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the pair of hands symmetrically in an opening/closing direction; a driving unit configured to transmit a power to the opening/closing mechanism; and a controller configured to control an operation of the driving unit. The opening/closing mechanism includes: a rotating body configured to rotate depending on a moving amount of the pair of hands in the opening/closing direction, and a sensor configured to detect a rotating amount of the rotating body. The controller controls an operation of the driving unit based on a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Takahiro Nanjo, Hiroyuki Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10286549
    Abstract: An adaptable end effector useful to accommodate a wide variety of components, component geometries and variations in component geometries. In one example, the end effector includes a movable arm and at least three fingers each having a gripping tool for engagement of the component with variable and/or programmable holding force preventing relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Comau LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, Bryan Finzel, Michael R. Dugas
  • Patent number: 10259665
    Abstract: A container gripper has pivotable gripper arms and a blocking element that comprises a spring element with first and second regions that preloads the gripper arms into a closing position. The blocking element moves between a releasing position and a blocking position such that a closing force exerted in the blocking position exceeds that exerted in the releasing position. The spring elements interact with control surfaces of the gripper arms such that, when the blocking element is in the releasing position, the control surface takes effect against the first region, thereby causing the spring element to exert the first closing force and wherein, when the blocking element is in the blocking position, the control surface takes effect against the second region, thereby causing the spring element to exert the second closing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fahldieck, Nils Mallitzki
  • Patent number: 10213926
    Abstract: In a gripping device including carriages disposed on a base body so as to be movable relative to each other by a motor drive, the carriages being provided with gripping elements which are movable with the carriages between an opening and a closing position of the gripping elements, at least one of the gripping elements is supported on the respective carriage so as to be able to yield to a certain engagement pressure force which is adjustable in the range of 5 to 300 N in order to prevent excessive damage or injuries-causing engagement forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Zimmer, Guenther Zimmer
  • Patent number: 10207907
    Abstract: An asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly configured to be coupled to a lift truck and comprising a frame, two clamp jaws and two actuators. The clamp jaws each have gussets of different size to allow the two actuators to be separated vertically by a central gap, which is defined on the sides by two frame vertical beams. The central gap is of significant width so that the operator of the lift truck has a useable widow through which to view. As the configuration of the asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly changes from open to closed, at no time is a majority of the view through the central gap obscured by the clamp jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rightline Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Hamlik, Joel D. Hamlik
  • Patent number: 10201904
    Abstract: A device for gripping an object that includes a main body having a first and a second endplate, a baseplate, at least one guide rail, and a first jaw and a second jaw, each receiving the at least one guide rail. The device also includes a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly respectively attached to the baseplate and a chain loop respectively attached to the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly. The chain loop includes a first chain length and a second chain length and a first link and a second link that attaches the first chain length and the second chain length. Each of the first link and second link include at least one dowel pin. The chain loop is attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of the first link and second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Sipe, Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 10182520
    Abstract: In an electronic component mounting system, a mounting management server acquires measurement information relating to a result obtained by measurement of a component which is stored in a reel, registers the acquired measured information in the device information in association with a reel ID, and outputs the measurement information corresponding to the reel to a mounting machine during a mounting process. The mounting process device receives the device information in which the measurement information that relates to the result obtained by measuring the component stored in the reel and that is associated with the reel ID is registered, when the measurement information is present in the device information of the component to be mounted, the mounting process device executes the mounting process of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 10179710
    Abstract: Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: William Michael Cooper
  • Patent number: 10179412
    Abstract: A workpiece conveying system is provided, which includes a workpiece including a workpiece main body, a cylindrical gripping part protruding from the workpiece main body, and an engaging plate attached to a tip-end surface of the gripping part, a chuck device including three jaws configured to grip the gripping part in radial directions of the gripping part, and a robot to which the chuck device is attached. The engaging plate includes an overhang part protruding from the gripping part along the tip-end surface of the gripping part, and an engaging slot, into which one of the three jaws fits, is formed in the overhang part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideshi Yamane, Jun Takebayashi, Shuhei Kuraoka, Tatsuhiro Uto, Shinichi Fujisawa, Mitsunobu Oka, Hiroyuki Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 10105854
    Abstract: A gripper-mounting mechanism includes an outer shell, a motor unit, a first transmission unit, and a plurality of second transmission units. The outer shell includes spaced-apart first and second walls, and a receiving wall that extends from the second wall toward the first wall and that defines a receiving channel adapted to receive an end effector therein through an opening of the second wall. The first transmission unit includes a transmission gear unit driven by the motor unit. The second transmission units surround the receiving wall. Each of the second transmission units includes a grip member driven movably by the transmission gear unit. The grip members are movable relative to the outer shell toward or away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Chen-Ming Wong
  • Patent number: 10105853
    Abstract: A flexible end-effector for a robot includes a frame and a clamp assembly movably coupled to the frame. As such, the clamp assembly is movable relative to the frame along a first direction, wherein the clamp assembly includes a locator and a clamp movably coupled to the locator. The clamp assembly also includes pneumatic actuator coupled to the clamp to move the clamp between an open position and a closed position. The flexible end-effector further includes linear motion slides coupled between the clamp assembly and the frame to allow the clamp assembly to move linearly relative to the frame along the first direction. Further, the flexible end-effector includes a servomotor assembly coupled to the linear motion slide to actuate the linear motion slide. The servomotor assembly includes a servomotor and a motor controller integrated with the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dooil Hwang, Jinglin Li
  • Patent number: 10099384
    Abstract: An industrial wedge-type gripper mechanism for gripping or releasing objects that has a housing with a piston of a pneumatic cylinder moveable in the housing in longitudinal direction of the housing and a plurality of gripper jaw holders that slide in the housing in a radial or transverse direction and that support the gripper jaws. The gripper jaw holders have inclined slots, and the piston of the pneumatic cylinder is associated with a member that supports rolling bearings rolling and sliding in the inclined slots so that with reciprocations of the piston the rolling bearings exert a camming or wedging action on the walls of the inclined slots and thus cause the gripper jaw holders and thus the gripper jaws to perform gripping or releasing action on the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Quartet Medtronics Inc
    Inventors: Boris Kesil, Elik Gershenzon
  • Patent number: 10046465
    Abstract: An attaching and detaching device that detachably attaches two structures includes a base fixed to one structure of the two structures and formed in a tabular shape, one or more engaging members supported by the base movably along a surface direction of the base and configured to engage with the other structure, an urging member configured to urge the engaging member toward an engaging direction in which the engaging member engages with the other structure, and a releasing mechanism including an operation lever configured to perform operation for moving the engaging member in a direction opposite to the engaging direction and releasing an attached state in which the two structures are attached to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Goto, Toshio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10040245
    Abstract: In some examples, a method of forming a housing assembly comprises affixing a support frame onto a first panel cover of the housing assembly, wherein the support frame includes an integrated pattern of channel cavities, positioning a second panel cover of the housing assembly adjacent the support frame, and flowing a bonding material through a plurality of openings of the second panel cover and into the channel cavities of the integrated pattern of the support frame so as to form a secure bond between the first panel cover, the support frame, and the second panel cover of the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark David Senatori
  • Patent number: 10023441
    Abstract: A gripping device for handling reinforcement cages for tower segments of a wind turbine, comprising a gripper arm holding fixture and multiple gripper arms arranged radially on the gripper arm holding fixture. In particular, it is proposed that there is a coupling mechanism that can be connected with the reinforcement cage on each gripper arm, the length of the gripper arms can be telescopically motor-adjusted, the gripping device can be coupled with a lifting device that can be moved horizontally and vertically, and is adapted to move a reinforcement cage from apparatus for manufacturing reinforcement cages and/or to put a reinforcement cage down in a casing for creating a tower segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Ingo Meyer