Abstract: An apparatus for providing vacuum to a material handling device. The apparatus of the present invention provides a housing having an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture has an inlet end for receiving a supply of pressurized air and an outlet end. A valve is slidably disposed within said aperture of said housing for movement between a vacuum position, wherein vacuum is provided to the material handling device through the use of a venturi, and a release position, wherein atmosphere air pressure is provided directly to said material handling device.

Abstract: A breakaway tooling apparatus connectable to a manipulator and at least one tool for limiting the amount of damage to the associated manipulator and tool when the apparatus accidentally engages an obstacle. The detection mount has a narrowed neck region and stepped throughbore adjacent the narrowed neck region for creating a weakened portion that will fracture upon the realization of a predetermined force to the detection mount. An air passageway extends from an outer portion of the detection mount to an inner portion of the detection mount, wherein the air passageway is connectable to a supply of pressurized air. A blocking member prevents the pressurized air from passing through the air passageway in the detection mount when the detection mount is not fractured at the weakened portion, and the blocking member allows pressurized air to flow through the air passageway in the detection mount when the detection mount is fractured at the weakened portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vacuum cup mount including the steps of providing a housing having a mount base and a generally upstanding wall extending from the mount base, providing a retainer having an aperture that extends from an upper side of the retainer to a lower side of the retainer and a plurality of recesses formed on the lower side of the retainer in communication with the aperture, placing the retainer on the mount base so that the lower side of the retainer faces the mount base, and bending at least a portion of the generally upstanding wall so that the bent portion of the generally upstanding wall engages the upper surface of the retainer to secure the retainer with respect to the mount base.

Abstract: A rotatably adjustable apparatus for locating geometric references on a workpiece. The present invention provides a housing having a linear actuator for actuating a locating member between an extended position, wherein the locating member engages the workpiece, and a retracted position, wherein the locating member disengages the workpiece. A substantially cylindrical locking member is connected to the locating member and is disposed within the housing. A releasable striker connected to and accessible from outside the housing matingly engages the locking member in a predetermined angular position to provide angular adjustment to the locating member. A sensing device is connected to the housing and senses the position of the locating member.

Abstract: A tooling apparatus for securing and positioning an end effector tooling with respect to a workpiece. The tooling apparatus includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical backbone connectable to a manipulator and at least one saddle mount connected to the backbone. At least one primary arm mount is connected to the saddle mount, and at least one substantially cylindrical primary arm is connected to the primary arm mount. At least one tooling mount is connected to the at least one primary arm and is connectable to the end effector tooling.

Abstract: A tooling apparatus for positioning end effector tooling for engagement with a workpiece to facilitate the performance of work operations on the workpiece. The apparatus includes an elongated rectangular tubular backbone member, a plurality of tubular collars positioned over and secured to the backbone member at predetermined longitudinally spaced locations along the backbone member, and a plurality of support structures secured to a side of one or more of the collars utilizing a plurality of fasteners engaging apertures in the collars and aligned apertures in the underlying backbone member.

Abstract: A linearly adjustable apparatus having a stroke adjustment for locating geometric references on a workpiece. The present invention provides a housing having a linear actuator for actuating a locating member between an extended position, wherein the locating member engages the workpiece, and a retracted position, wherein the locating member disengages the workpiece. A bearing assembly is connected to the housing and slidably supports the locating member. The bearing assembly has an external threaded portion that threadably engages an internal threaded portion of the housing to provide linear adjustment of the stroke length of the locating member along a longitudinal axis of the housing. A jam nut threadably engages the bearing assembly to secure the relative position of the bearing assembly relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing the mounting and clamping forces of a linkage assembly of a power clamp. An enclosed bilateral housing of a power clamp is provided, wherein a linear actuator is connected to the housing and provides a piston rod extending into the housing. A linkage assembly is connected to the piston rod and disposed within the housing for converting the linear motion of the piston rod into rotary motion of a clamp arm. A high strength plate and beam structure is disposed within the housing and connected to the linkage assembly for absorbing the mounting and clamping forces generated by the linkage assembly. By absorbing the mounting and clamping forces of the linkage assembly, the high strength plate and beam structure allows the housing to be fabricated from a lightweight, inexpensive material.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members having a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount wherein said base member is adjustably located along a predetermined path of travel defined by the slide mount. The base member is rotatably adjustable with respect to a midportion via a pair of matingly engaging contoured surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the midportion may also be rotatably adjustable with respect to an end member along a second rotational axis. The midportion and the end member may be adjustably rotated through a pair of contoured surfaces substantially similar to that provided between the midportion and the base member. The end member provides an aperture for releasably connecting a boom rod to the end member. In an alternative embodiment, the midportion is integrally connected to the end member wherein the end member provides an aperture for matingly engaging a first spline rod. The first spline rod may be rotatably adjusted about a second rotational axis.

Abstract: A linear actuator having an adjustable piston rod for transmitting linear motion to a rotary clamp wherein the adjustable length of the piston rod corresponds to predetermined rotational angles of a clamp arm. The adjustable piston rod provides a first portion connectable to said power clamp, and a second portion connectable to a piston of the linear actuator. The first portion is fabricated from a substantially cylindrical rod having a plurality of substantially cylindrical recesses formed thereon. The second portion provides a block connected to a tubular shaft for telescopically receiving the cylindrical rod. A cam is pivotally connected to the block and provides an aperture formed therein for receiving the cylindrical rod. A torsional spring biases the cam against the cylindrical rod within the cylindrical recesses formed in the rod to prohibit the rod from telescopically moving relative to the tubular shaft.

Abstract: A rotary clamp having an adjustable pre-stop wherein the rotary clamp includes a linear actuator for transmitting linear motion to a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly converts the linear motion into rotary motion of a clamp arm, wherein the clamp arm moves between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The adjustable pre-stop provides a substantially cylindrical member having a substantially polygonal shaped surface formed on the cylindrical member. The polygonal surface matingly engages a substantially polygonal shaped aperture formed in the housing of the rotary clamp. An eccentric mid-portion of the cylindrical member engages the linkage assembly in the clamped position to prohibit the clamp arm from rotating beyond the clamped position.

Abstract: A rotary clamp having a linkage assembly that provides an over-center condition for providing high actuation and clamping forces without excessively wearing the components of the linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is connected to a linear actuator for converting linear actuator motion into rotary clamp motion between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The linkage assembly provides a first link having an aperture for receiving a pin and a roller wherein the roller is coaxially connected o the pin. The second link is pivotally connected to the first link, and the third link is pivotally connected to the second link. The roller of the first link rollably engages a surface on the third link when moving in and out of the clamped position. A beam-like structure connected to the housing provides a wear surface wherein the pin engages the wear surface in response to the roller engaging the third link to prohibit the first link from reaching an over-center position.

Abstract: A valve and position control system integrable with a clamp having at least one clamp arm moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to movement of an actuator between first and second end limits of travel controlled by differential fluid pressure in first and second chambers located on opposite sides of the actuator. The system allows selective setting of at least one of the clamped position and the released position at an actuator position between the first and second end limits of travel of the actuator. The system selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator moves between the first and second end limits of travel. Preferably, the system also selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator approaches at least one of the first and second end limits of travel to provide a soft touch clamp action. The system selectively adjusts pressurized fluid within the first and second chambers independent of one another.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.

Abstract: A rotary clamp having a telescopic piston rod with predetermined adjustable lengths corresponding to predetermined rotational angles of a clamp arm. The rotary clamp utilizes a linear actuator for transmitting linear motion to the piston rods and a linkage assembly is connected to the piston rod to convert the linear motion of the piston rod into rotary motion of the clamp arm. The telescopic piston rod provides an outer shaft and an inner shaft wherein the outer shaft is connected to a piston in the linear actuator. The outer shaft also provides a bore extending from the free end of the outer shaft for receiving an inner shaft of the piston rod. The inner shaft of the piston rod has a plurality of apertures extending transverse to and spaced along the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft. The apertures of the inner shaft may correspondingly align with an aperture provided in the outer shaft.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members having a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount wherein the base member is adjustably located along a predetermined linear path of travel defined by the slide mount. The base member is rotatably adjustable with respect to a midportion via a pair of matingly engaging contoured surfaces. The contoured surfaces are substantially circular having V-shaped teeth extending radially outward. The V-shaped teeth of the contoured surfaces matingly engage and are secured by fasteners to prevent any radial movement of the midportion with respect to the end member. The midportion may also be rotatably adjustable with respect to an end member along a second centerline axis. The midportion and the end member may be adjustably rotated through a pair of contoured surfaces substantially similar to that provided between the midportion and the base member. The end member provides an aperture for releasably connecting a boom rod to the end member.

Abstract: A vacuum control apparatus for generating and controlling the source of vacuum produced from a source of pressurized air in communication with at least one vacuum responsive device wherein the vacuum control apparatus maintains the operating conditions of the system during the loss and resumption of power. The vacuum control apparatus provides at least one venturi for creating a vacuum through a flow of pressurized air. A first valve train selectively provides a flow of pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the vacuum creating means. A second valve train communicates with the pressurized air source to selectively provide a flow of pressurized air to the vacuum responsive device. A last function valve communicates with the first and second valve trains and a pressurized air source to maintain the operating condition of the vacuum control apparatus during the loss and resumption of power to the first and second valve trains.

Abstract: A method for generating and controlling the source of vacuum produced from a source of pressurized air in communication with at least one vacuum responsive device wherein the present invention maintains the operating conditions of the system during the loss and resumption of power. The present invention provides at least one venturi for creating a vacuum through a flow of pressurized air. The present invention selectively provides a flow of pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the vacuum creating means and selectively provides a flow of pressurized air to the vacuum responsive device. A last function valve communicates with the selective providing of pressurized air to maintain the operating condition of the vacuum responsive device during the loss and resumption of power.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus, for use with an actuator, has a housing with a guide track mounted on or formed in the housing. A roller or cam operably engages with the guide track such that the cam can be moved and positioned along the guide track by way of the actuator. At least one pivoting arm is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent to and spaced from the guide track. Each pivoting arm has an elongate slot adjacent to the shoulder. The elongate slot has two arcuate surfaces positioned parallel to each other and has two end surfaces joining the arcuate surfaces to define a closed loop surface. The cam is positioned within the elongate slot of each pivoting arm to pivot each pivoting arm between a clamped position and a released position as the cam is moved along the guide track and driven against the arcuate surfaces of each pivoting arm.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus, for use with an actuator, has a housing with a guide track mounted on or formed in the housing. A roller or cam operably engages with the guide track such that the cam can be moved and positioned along the guide track by way of the actuator. At least one pivoting arm is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent to and spaced from the guide track. Each pivoting arm has an elongate slot adjacent to the shoulder. The elongate slot has two arcuate surfaces positioned parallel to each other and has two end surfaces joining the arcuate surfaces to define a closed loop surface. The cam is positioned within the elongate slot of each pivoting arm to pivot each pivoting arm between a clamped position and a released position as the cam is moved along the guide track and driven against the arcuate surfaces of each pivoting arm.