Abstract: A pin clamp has a housing with a bore. A piston is coupled to a shaft, where the piston is in sliding engagement with the bore. The housing has first and second ports on opposing sides of the piston. A clamping arm coupled to the shaft extends and retracts with respect to the locating pin. A check valve is in the housing, where the check valve selectively maintains a pneumatic pressure on one of the first and second axial sides of the piston when pneumatic pressure is removed from the respective first or second axial side of the piston. One or more passages are further defined within the housing, defining a pneumatic circuit coupling the first port, second port, check valve, and a volume associated the bore. The check valve can be a pilot-operated check valve that is configured to be selectively energized by an application of pneumatic pressure.

Abstract: A sliding head locking pin clamp is provided having a housing with a housing bore extending axially therethrough along a first axis. An end cap has an end cap bore extending therethrough along the first axis, wherein the end cap is operably coupled to a first end of the housing. A shaft has a shaft bore extending through the shaft along the first axis, wherein an outer diameter of a first end of the shaft generally defines a first portion of a locating pin. The first portion of the locating pin is in axial sliding engagement with at least a first portion of the end cap bore. The shaft has a shaft hole extending radially through the shaft along a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. The shaft further has a shaft guide rod generally fixedly positioned in the shaft hole. A piston is coupled to the shaft and is in sliding engagement with the housing bore to linearly translate the shaft between a first axial position and a second axial position along the first axis.

Abstract: A linear actuator has a housing with a bore extending therethrough. A first portion of the bore extends into the housing from a first end, and a second portion of the bore extends into the housing from a second end of the housing. The second portion of the bore has a rectangular geometry with substantially rounded corners when viewed from the second end. A shaft is in sliding engagement with the first portion of the housing. A piston member is coupled to the shaft and has a rectangular geometry with substantially rounded corners. The piston member is in sliding engagement with a first interior surface of the second portion of the bore via one or more o-rings. An anti-rotation apparatus is associated with one or more of the piston member and the shaft, wherein the anti-rotation member generally prevents a rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A pin clamp is provided, comprising a housing having a bore extending therethrough, therein defining an axis. A shaft in sliding engagement with at least a first portion of the bore comprises an axial hole. A piston coupled to the shaft is in sliding engagement with a second portion of the bore. A clevis has a clevis base and two clevis prongs extending along the axis. The clevis base an axial hole and first and second radial clevis holes, wherein the first and second radial clevis holes are opposed to one another by 90-degrees. The axial hole accepts the shaft, and the clevis base is coupled to the shaft in one of four 90-degree-opposed positions by a screw passing through one of the first and second radial clevis holes and the axial hole. Each clevis prong has a radial prong hole. A locating pin has a mounting portion configured to be coupled to the housing in one of the four 90-degree-opposed positions.

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided having a housing with a bore having at least first and second portions extending therethrough. The second portion has a polygonal geometry with substantially rounded corners having at least one planar bearing surface. A shaft is in sliding engagement with the first portion of the bore, and a piston member is operatively coupled to the shaft. The piston member has a mating geometry to the second portion of the bore, wherein the piston member is in sliding engagement with the second portion of the bore. An anti-rotation member is coupled to the piston member or shaft and has a generally D-shaped geometry with a planar anti-rotation bearing surface. Contact between the anti-rotation member and the housing is limited to a sliding engagement between the anti-rotation bearing surface and one of the at least one bearing surfaces based on an orientation of the anti-rotation member.

Abstract: A linear actuator has a housing with a bore therethrough, thus defining an axis. A shaft is in sliding engagement with a portion of the bore and a piston is coupled to the shaft. An anti-rotation apparatus has an elongate slot defined in the housing which extends parallel to the axis. The elongate slot has opposing sidewalls that are non-parallel to one another and offset from a plane perpendicular to the axis by a respective predetermined angle ranging between zero and fifteen degrees. A bearing block has opposing sides and a hole therethrough, wherein an attachment member extends through the hole, coupling the bearing block to the shaft. The opposing sides of the bearing block are parallel to the respective opposing sidewalls of the elongate slot. The attachment member provides a selective engagement force between the opposing sides of the bearing block and the opposing sidewalls of the elongate slot.

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided having a housing with a bore having at least first and second portions extending therethrough. The second portion has a polygonal geometry with substantially rounded corners having at least one planar bearing surface. A shaft is in sliding engagement with the first portion of the bore, and a piston member is operatively coupled to the shaft. The piston member has a mating geometry to the second portion of the bore, wherein the piston member is in sliding engagement with the second portion of the bore. An anti-rotation member is coupled to the piston member or shaft and has a generally D-shaped geometry with a planar anti-rotation bearing surface. Contact between the anti-rotation member and the housing is limited to a sliding engagement between the anti-rotation bearing surface and one of the at least one bearing surfaces based on an orientation of the anti-rotation member.

Abstract: A linear actuator has a housing with a bore extending therethrough. A first portion of the bore extends into the housing from a first end, and a second portion of the bore extends into the housing from a second end of the housing. The second portion of the bore has a rectangular geometry with substantially rounded corners when viewed from the second end. A shaft is in sliding engagement with the first portion of the housing. A piston member is coupled to the shaft and has a rectangular geometry with substantially rounded corners. The piston member is in sliding engagement with a first interior surface of the second portion of the bore via one or more o-rings. An anti-rotation apparatus is associated with one or more of the piston member and the shaft, wherein the anti-rotation member generally prevents a rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided comprising a housing, a rectangular elongate shaft operably coupled to the housing, and a scraper assembly. The shaft has a hardened bearing surface in sliding engagement with a hardened bearing surface of the housing, thus providing a hard-on-hard bearing between the shaft and housing, wherein the shaft is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing. The scraper assembly comprises first and second resilient members positioned within a recess of the housing, wherein one or more scraper blades are disposed between the first and second resilient members. A retaining member coupled to the housing generally compresses the first and second resilient members within the recess, therein biasing a scraping edge of the one or more scraper blades against the shaft bearing surface, wherein the retaining member, one or more scraper blades, and the first resilient member are operable to clear debris from elongate shaft.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a locating and clamping fixture is provided, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a drive pin that is linearly positionable along a first axis. The drive pin comprises a driver portion and a driven portion, wherein the driver portion is coupled to a piston of the fixture and the driven portion is coupled to a clamping arm of the fixture. The driver portion of the drive pin further comprises an annular groove, wherein one or more rollers are associated with the annular groove of the drive pin and a body of the fixture. The one or more rollers are operable to generally maintain a position of the clamping arm upon a loss of a driving force to the driver portion via an interface between the one or more rollers, the drive pin, and the body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cushioning apparatus for a pneumatic device. The cushioning apparatus generally comprises a body, wherein a piston and cylinder reside therein, wherein the piston is operable to translate along a first axis. A first port associated with a first end of the cylinder is in fluid communication with an interior portion of the cylinder through a first cushioning hole, and a second port associated with a second end of the cylinder is in fluid communication with the interior portion through a second cushioning hole.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locating and clamping fixture for locating and clamping a workpiece, wherein the fixture comprises a generally hollow body and a floating clamping arm. A first cam follower is located within the body, and a drive pin comprising a second cam follower and having a first axis associated therewith is moveable within the body along the first axis. The floating clamping arm comprises a first cam surface, a second cam surface, and a gripping portion, wherein the first cam surface and the second cam surface are operable to respectively engage the first cam follower and the second cam follower. Upon an application of a driving force by the drive pin, the clamping arm is operable to rotate and linearly translate with respect to the body via a translational movement of the drive pin along the first axis, wherein the gripping portion of the clamping arm is operable to extend over the workpiece and to clamp the workpiece to the body.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly for use in actuating a locating pin for sheet metal provides stability for a pin mounted thereon against side to side movement and rotation. To this end the assembly includes a cylinder body assembly with an internal bore and a piston axially slidable within the bore. A piston rod is connected with the piston, and the rod has a free end for connection of a sheet metal locating pin. A first guide surface is formed within the cylinder body assembly and a second guide surface is formed on one of the piston and piston rod, the first and second guide surfaces cooperating to prevent rotation of the piston and piston rod as the piston and piston rod slide axially with respect to the cylinder body assembly. The first and second guide surfaces preferable are internal and external splines. First and second bearings are connected to the cylinder body assembly and support the piston rod for straight line movement. The first and second bearings being located on opposite sides of the piston.

Abstract: A parallel gripper for use in automated material handling is designed for use both in a clean room environment and in an abrasive atmosphere. The gripper includes a housing with air operated pistons which drive slides mounted on the outside of the housing. The pistons are connected to the slides by drive bars that pass through purge chambers. These chambers may be held at a pressure that is above or below the ambient depending on the environment. A seal is placed between the slide and the housing, the seal being made of a material that has a low coefficient of friction and which will cold flow under pressure, for example, TEFLON. The gripper is assembled and the purge chamber pressurized so that normally no air passes by the seal. When a particle of dirt gets under the seal, the pressure difference across the seal drives the dirt in the desired direction: outward when the gripper is used in an abrasive environment or inward when the gripper is used in a clean room environment.

Abstract: A device for moving members into engagement with a workpiece includes a housing having surfaces for defining a chamber and first and second pistons located in the chamber movable toward and away from each other. A first connector connects the first piston to a member movable into engagement with the workpiece and extends through a first opening in the housing. A second connector connects the second piston to another member movable into engagement with the workpiece and extends through a second opening in the housing. Fluid pressure is applied to opposite sides of the first and second pistons to move the first and second pistons toward and away from each other. Debris is removed from the first and second openings in the housing through which the first and second connectors extend.

Abstract: A device for moving gripping jaws into engagement with a workpiece comprises a housing defining a chamber and first and second ends for closing opposite ends of the chamber. First and second pistons are located in the chamber and are movable toward and away from each other. The first and second pistons are connected to the gripping jaws. Fluid pressure is applied to opposite sides of the first and second pistons to move the first and second pistons toward and away from each other. A rod extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing ensures synchronous movement of the first and second pistons. The rod and the first and second pistons have a driving interconnection which effects rotation of the rod in one direction when the first and second pistons move toward each other and in an opposite direction when the first and second pistons move away from each other. Axial end surfaces of the rod engage the first and second housing ends.

Abstract: A rotary actuator is operable under the influence of fluid pressure to rotate a driven member. The rotary actuator includes a drive member which extends into a chamber in a housing. Helical splines interconnect a piston and the drive member to rotate the drive member upon axial movement of the piston in the chamber. The piston is held against rotary movement relative to the housing in one embodiment by a pair of rollers that engage tracks disposed on opposite sides of the piston and in another embodiment by a corresponding oval-shaped configuration of a portion of the piston and an internal portion of the chamber in the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, a rack gear on the piston rotates a pinion to actuate a valve and restrict fluid flow to the chamber when the piston is approaching an end-of-stroke position. A one-way clutch may be connected with the drive member so that the driven member is only rotated in one direction rather than being oscillated upon back and forth movement of the piston.

Abstract: A device for moving gripping jaws into engagement with a workpiece comprising two coaxial fluid cylinders for moving the jaws. A piston fixedly connected with a gripping jaw moves in each of the cylinders. Fluid pressure is applied to opposite sides of the pistons to effect movement of the pistons away and toward each other to thereby move the jaws away and toward each other. A means is provided to insure synchronous movement of the two pistons. The means comprises a rod extending along the axis of the two cylinders. The pistons and the rod have a driving interconnection. The driving interconnection effects rotation of the rod in opposite directions upon movement of the pistons away and toward each other. A bearing assembly located between the two fluid cylinders supports the rod for rotation.