Abstract: The present invention consists in a robot wherein a slit-light detector which is constructed of a light projector for projecting light so as to form a slit-light on an object to-be-handled and an image detector for detecting an image of the light-section waveform, is mounted on an operating member of the robot; means for scanning the slit-light detector is disposed; and the slit-light detector detects range data, on the basis of which a position, posture, inclination etc. of the object in a three-dimensional shape are detected, so that the robot can handle the object.

Abstract: A robot or other manipulator has an end effector useful for gripping a part and performing an assembly operation to a second part, the assembly requiring, for example, an insertion and a rotation motion. A sensor is mounted between the manipulator and the end effector and comprises a pair of telescoping sections mounted for relative axial and rotational movement with springs for normally inhibiting any movement beyond a range caused by normal assembly forces. An excessive force caused by the failure of the parts to join normally results in a relative axial or rotational movement which is sensed by one or more cam operated switches. The switches are arranged to yield a plurality of signals which contain coded information on the specific type of overload movement. The information can be used by a robot or manipulator controller to stop the assembly operation and then to make the appropriate movements to solve the problem or to simply indicate to an operator the type of malfunction.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor having a control diaphragm for moving a roller driving member from a first position in disengagement with one or more conveyor rollers to a second position in driving engagement therewith. The driving member is supported by a flexible flange which is biased in a direction urging the driving member out of contact with the roller or rollers and additionally flexes in response to the control diaphragm.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus for removing from one of a number of filter pits, and loading for protective storage in a disposal drum, radioactive filters used in nuclear power generating stations, and for replacing spent filters. The apparatus includes a transportable base adapted to be placed adjacent the respective filter pit and a hoist mechanism mounted on the base. The hoist mechanism includes a vertical tower or mast mounted on the base, a generally horizontal boom mounted on and extending outwardly from the top of the mast, a grab mechanism for engaging various specially adapted articles, including spent filters to be removed and new filters for replacement, means for operating the grab mechanism from a remote location, a lift mechanism for supporting the grab mechanism from the outer end of the boom and for raising and lowering it in a vertical path, and means for operating the lift mechanism from the remote location.

Abstract: A device for accurately positioning and orienting a kinescope at a preselected position includes a horizontally moveable but vertically fixed carriage which transports the envelope from a first loading position to a preselected position. A second carriage, which is vertically moveable and horizontally fixed, is centered at the preselected position. The second carriage normally is beneath the horizontally moveable carriage and is raised to lift the envelope from the horizontally moveable carriage. Neck centering members are coupled to the vertically moveable carriage and are boomerang shaped to include oppositely facing internally curved surfaces. The curved surfaces urge the neck of the envelope toward the preselected position irrespective of the tilt of the neck and assure that the neck is centered at the preselected position and that the longitudinal axis of the envelope is parallel to the vertical axis.

Abstract: A device for transferring biscuits and confectionary products in general from a first continuous belt conveyor to a second in-line comparmented belt conveyor allows transfer rates of 400 to 500 biscuits per minute to be achieved, without breakage of the biscuits, blockages or stoppages of the operation. The device includes a bladed chain conveyor having an active pass which extends in the same direction as the continuous conveyor above at least an end section thereof laterally of the biscuits, and pusher means for displacing laterally one biscuit at a time towards the active pass of the bladed chain conveyor.

Abstract: A chain conveyor includes a chain with hold down attachments, at least one elongated guide, supporting and guiding the chain in an upper portion, and secured at a lower portion to an elongated mounting element. The guide and mounting element include cooperating structure for connecting the two together. The mounting element is secured on a conveyor frame section in a standard position and the guide is slid into the element, producing accurate alignment between guides of each section. Curved sections include shortened mounting elements disposed on conveyor cross-ties and defining a curved path for a curved guide.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible gripper for industrial robots and the like through the use of articulated ball joint linkages and an industrial brake. The gripper can orient itself to an object and adapt to irregular surfaces while engaging the object. In other words, the gripper matches the orientation of the grasped part. With the object so engaged, the gripper is locked rigidly so that the orientation of the part is preserved as it is manipulated by the flexible gripper and its associated robot.

Abstract: A quick coupler assembly for attaching a material handling bucket or the like to the free ends of lift arms extending from a loader. The quick coupler assembly includes an elongated cross member having hitch brackets on its opposite ends. Each hitch bracket includes an end which is received against the underside of an upper attachment member on the rear wall of the bucket near the top edge thereof. The opposite end of the hitch bracket is configured for engagement against a lower inclined ramp extending along the bottom rear edge of the bucket. The coupler assembly further includes an over-center locking mechanism consisting of a pivotal handle and link connected to a shaft with a wedge on the lower end of the shaft. The shaft and wedge are slidably movable in response to over-center movement of the handle and link such that the wedge moves downwardly and passes through openings in a lower hitch bracket attachment member and the lower inclined bucket ramp for locking the quick coupler assembly to the bucket.

Abstract: The apparatus is for feeding semi-conductor devices to and from process machines.The apparatus includes a main frame 3 having a loading station 1 and an unloading station 2 each of which has a docking station for receiving carts 5. The carts are lifted by a jacking arrangement 40 into operative engagement with a loading or unloading system, 6 or 7 respectively, the loading/unloading means being movable relative to the main frame 3 when engaged by the cart, the movement of the loading means being detected by a fibre optic control system which initiates a signal to terminate lifting. In this way, a loading station of the cart is accurately aligned in three mutually perpendicular axes with the loading/unloading means to ensure reliable transfer of components from the carrier in the cart and a transfer conveyor by which the components are transferred to a machine for a processing operation or are transferred from the machine into an empty cart.

Abstract: A reciprocating adjunct for conventional backhoe buckets including a shaft which is supported on bearings and carried on connecting links depending from a bucket curl mechanism which is supported by transverse links extending to a dipper stick associated with conventional backhoe buckets, the shaft including termini having cam surfaces communicating with bearings supporting bucket brackets providing with the dipper stick the sole supports for the bucket whereby rotation of the shaft and therefor the associated cam surfaces causes a reciprocating oscillating motion of the bucket.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism has a tool mounting surface movable in a generally inverted U-shaped path back and forth between spaced stations thereby making the mechanism useful, for example, as part of a pick and place device for picking up articles one at a time, or in groups at a time, from one first station and placing them at the other station. The U-shaped motion is achieved by a first body supported on a base for movement along a first axis and a second body supported on the first body for movement relative thereto about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The movement of the two bodies along their respective axes is achieved by a single oscillating crank arm engageable with both bodies in such a manner as to obtain a smooth gentle acceleration and deceleration of the two bodies with a minimum amount of driving force and capable of providing a short cycle time if desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a production tool adapted to be automated and more particularly to such a system having a single drive motor and a plurality of clutch and brake controlled gear systems that may be actuated to move the tool longitudinally from place to place, the tool means having a housing for enclosing the motor and its controls, the housing supporting a fully articulated, power driven load engaging and carrying means that may be controlled to precisely position the load engaging means that is operatively mounted on the end of such articulated means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a substantially aligned and uniform stack of flat articles (for example, food products such as sliced sausage products) from a non-uniform stack. The first stack is positioned between at least a pair of stack engaging members which are movable in the same direction, but at different speeds, to converge gradually and engage the articles, thereby moving the articles into a substantially aligned and uniform stack.

Abstract: A ball and socket conveyor chain, the links of which are designed so as to be capable of flexing in a plurality of planes and also designed to have upper table portions for supporting articles to be conveyed and which include a ball portion and a socket portion integrally made a part of the table portion. The ball portion of one link is retained in the socket portion of an adjacent link by a cap having outer surfaces that are drivingly engagable by some drive means. The method of connecting the links is unique in that the successive links comprising the chain are not connected to each other, but rather to every other link in the chain.

Abstract: This invention relates to a telescopic boom and conveyor apparatus which can be vehicle mounted. An endless conveyor belt is carried by a main boom which itself is telescopic. Optionally, an articulated boom can be attached to the free end of the main boom. Separate means is provided for the support of the main and articulated boom which automatically adjusts during telescopic displacement in order to maintain the main boom and articulated boom at predetermined angles. The angulation of the booms can be changed and the conveyor run while the main boom is undergoing telescopic displacement.

Abstract: A five axis compliant device for use as an industrial robot end-of-arm tooling. This device compensates for the inherent positioning and repeatability inaccuracies found in a robot and therefore allows the robot to be applied to work requiring high accuracies such as screw and nut insertion, close tolerance pin insertion and hole deburring.

Abstract: A polymeric snap-on attachment for a hollow rivet chain including first and second side members adapted to lie adjacent to the sidebars of the chain. At least one of the side members includes an integral pin-like projection adapted to fit through one of the hollow rivets in the chain. The other side member includes a receptacle which receives the pin-like projection with a snap fit to fix the first and second side members to each other and to the chain.

Abstract: Pipe conveying apparatus is disclosed that moves pipe in steps in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, fixed rails that have notches on their upper surface that are transversely aligned in rows. Each pipe joint extends across the fixed rails and engages a row of notches which hold the pipe joint from lateral movement along the rails. A plurality of movable rails are located parallel to the fixed rails. The movable rails also have notches on their upper surface that are transversely aligned in rows for supporting the pipe.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a curved section of a scraper-chain conveyor comprises a housing and two pulley wheels which are rotatably mounted within the housing. The pulley wheels constitute means for guiding the scrapers of a scraper assembly around the curved section. Each of the pulley wheels has an inner wheel part and a two-part scraper-engaging rim detachably connected to its inner wheel part.