Patents Examined by Donald Underwood
  • Patent number: 8297907
    Abstract: An industrial robot for conveying a conveying object may include a hand having a mounting part, an articulated arm part having at least a hand holding arm which is extended and folded when the conveying object is conveyed, a main body part which turnably holds the articulated arm part, and a cam member which is provided in the hand holding arm and which is formed with a cam face with which the holding part is abutted and which is relatively turned with respect to the hand around a turning center of the hand with an extending and folding operation of the articulated arm part. The cam face is formed so that the holding part is retreated from the conveying object before the conveying object is conveyed and, when the conveying object is conveyed, the holding part is moved in a direction to hold the conveying object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Yazawa, Junnosuke Koyama
  • Patent number: 8290624
    Abstract: A gripper grasps irregular and deformable work pieces so as to lift and hold packaged, processed, or raw, and manipulate the work pieces for the purpose of material handling, assembly, packaging, and other robotic and automated manipulative functions. A vacuum is induced at multiple points through a flexible gripping hood to provide lifting force to, and facilitate rapid movement of, work pieces. An array of lighting devices and a double ring array of segmented mirrors provide uniform illumination to ensure accurate positioning of the gripping hood with respect to the work piece to be manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Adept Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Preben Hjornet
  • Patent number: 8287226
    Abstract: A hand-operable connection assembly is described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a vehicle from a boom assembly. The connection assembly includes a tower and a bracket, the tower is rotatably secured to both an actuator and a boom arm while the bracket is secured to a vehicle or construction device. The tower and bracket interconnect via pins that seat in pockets, and the tower is secured or locked to the bracket via a hand-operable locking clevis that rotates about one of the pins and wraps around the curved exterior of one of the pockets. The center point of the exterior curvature is offset from the center point of the clevis rotation such that rotation of the clevis tightens the clevis against the pocket. The pins may be located at the two hinges connecting the boom arm and actuator to the tower, or the pins may be separated from the hinges. The exterior of the pocket may include a grind sheet designed to scrape against and secure a grind bar of the locking clevis in a locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8282333
    Abstract: A workpiece transfer robot system including a machine tool provided with a workpiece support section and a robot capable of transferring a workpiece relative to the workpiece support section of the machine tool. The machine tool includes a cover surrounding at least the workpiece support section. The cover includes a first side wall provided with a first opening usable for a workpiece transferring task of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: FANUC Ltd
    Inventors: Masaru Oda, Toru Shirahata, Toshihiko Inoue, Takatoshi Iwayama, Masaaki Uematsu, Kentarou Ootani
  • Patent number: 8277165
    Abstract: An integrated robotic mechanism is disclosed for improving transport equipment, integrating an object movement with other functionalities such as alignment or identification. The disclosed integrated robot assembly can comprise a multiple end effector for moving a plurality of workpieces, a single end effector for moving a single workpiece, a rotation chuck incorporated on the robot body to provide alignment capability, and an optional identification subsystem for identify the object during transport. The present invention robot assembly can be used in a sorter or stocker equipment, in processing equipment, and a transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Dynamic Micro System Semiconductor Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Farzad Tabrizi, David Barker
  • Patent number: 8272830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a transfer robot that may be used in a vacuum environment is described. The transfer robot includes a lift assembly comprising a first platform and a second platform coupled to the first platform by a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members comprising a first pair of support members and a second pair of support members, a first drive assembly coupled to a portion of the plurality of support members, the first drive assembly providing a motive force to the plurality of support members to move the second platform in a first linear direction relative to the first platform, and an end effector disposed on the second platform and movable in a second linear direction by a second drive assembly, the second linear direction being orthogonal to the first linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Takayuki Matsumoto, Suhail Anwar
  • Patent number: 8267636
    Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a first shaftless rotary motor including a first stator and a first rotor, the first stator being linearly distributed and the first rotor being coupled to a first arm, a second shaftless rotary motor including a second stator and second rotor, the second stator being linearly distributed and the second rotor being coupled to a second arm, the second arm being connected to the first arm and a first substrate support being coupled to at least one of the first and second arms, wherein the first stator and second stator are configured so that the first and second arms and the first substrate support are inside the stators and a motor output at a connection between the first and second shaftless rotary motors and a respective one of the first and second arms is a resultant force disposed peripheral to the first and second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hofmeister, Robert T. Caveney
  • Patent number: 8257009
    Abstract: An assembly for detachably connecting an implement having a pair of mounting pins to a machine provided with a dipper stick and a pair of tilt links operatively connected to the dipper stick, comprising a first assembly including a pair of jaw members pivotally connected to the dipper stick and cooperable upon pivotal movement thereof to selectively grip and release one of the mounting pins, and means for selectively pivoting the jaw members in opposite directions to effect such grip and release of the one of the mounting pins; and second and third assemblies each including a pair of jaw members pivotally connected to one of the tilt links and cooperable upon pivotal movement thereof to selectively grip and release the other of the mounting pins, and means for selectively pivoting the jaw members in opposite directions to effect such grip and release of the other of the mounting pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rockland, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Geraghty
  • Patent number: 8251635
    Abstract: An article supply apparatus includes a container storage rack for storing containers, and an article storage rack for storing articles taken out of the container. The article supply apparatus includes a transfer apparatus for transporting the articles between the container of the container storage rack and the article storage rack. The article supply apparatus includes a transportation apparatus for transporting the container between the transfer apparatus and the container storage rack, and a supply apparatus for taking required articles out of the article storage rack, and supplying the articles to a processing tool and supply the articles from the processing tool to the article storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8246289
    Abstract: In a substrate transfer robot, an end effector includes a wrist plate, a first blade movably connected to the wrist plate in a vertical direction to support a first substrate, and a second blade connected to the wrist plate to support a second substrate, wherein the second blade is adjacent to the first blade. An elevating unit moves the first blade upward to allow the first blade to support the first substrate and moves the first blade downward to allow the second blade to support the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chong-Eui Ha
  • Patent number: 8246286
    Abstract: A work apparatus to be mounted to a work vehicle includes: a pair of cylindrical masts 35 disposed erect on right and left sides of a vehicle body having a control valve; a boom 91 pivotally supported to the masts; an implement pivotally supported to the boom; a boom cylinder 60 for pivoting the boom; an implement cylinder 61 for operating the implement; a boom piping system communicating the control valve with the boom cylinder; and an implement piping system communicating the control valve with the implement cylinder; wherein a channel constituting member 84 constituting the boom piping system extends vertically within each mast; one end of the channel constituting member 84 extends to the outside at a lower portion of the mast to be connected with the control valve; and the other end of the channel constituting member 84 extends to the outside at an upper portion of the mast 35 to be connected with boom cylinder 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Fukudome, Masataka Takagi, Koji Saito, Eiji Miyazaki, Shuichi Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8245594
    Abstract: A roll joint utilizes at least one tendon guide surface to guide actuator tendons for distal roll off and on their respective drums on a central shaft of the roll joint. The tendon guide surface turns the actuator tendon in an axial direction in a more compact space than might be required for a pair of pulleys, while using fewer parts with larger features more easily formed on a small scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Rogers, Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8246288
    Abstract: A manipulator includes a support arm, a grasping member, and a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly connects the support arm with the grasping member. A base is fixed to the support arm, and the holder is fixed to the base. The holder defines an assembling hole, and a perimeter of the assembling hole increases along a direction towards the base. The connecting member has a first assembling portion received in the assembling hole of the holder. The elastic member is positioned between the base and the connecting member, thus producing an elastic force to drive the connecting member to resist the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Da-Wei Liu, Hai-Yuan Li
  • Patent number: 8240972
    Abstract: In a robot, a support member is supported to an arm to be reciprocable with respect to one of first and second sides of the arm in a predetermined direction. A rotary member of a converter is coupled to a motor, and a linear movable member of the converter is contacted to the rotary member and linked to the support member. The converter works to transfer rotary motion received by the rotary member from the motor as linear motion to the linear movable member through a transfer contact portion between the rotary member and the linear movable member to thereby move the linear movable member together with the support member in the predetermined direction. The transfer contact portion between the rotary member and the linear movable member is located offset to the one of the first and second sides of the arm relative to the other thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Wave Corporation
    Inventor: Takamasa Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8240970
    Abstract: A loader coupling system includes an arm coupler and a link coupler each adapted to mate with an associated attachment. The arm coupler includes a body adapted to be connected to and extend between first and second spaced-apart arms of an associated loader machine. First and second plunger pins are located respectfully at opposite first and second ends of the body. At least one plunger actuator is operatively connected to the first and second plunger pins, and the at least one plunger actuator is selectively operative to move the first and second plunger pins between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Paladin Brands Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Bricker, Anthony Seda, Robert Sikorski
  • Patent number: 8240971
    Abstract: A handling manipulator assembly comprises a vertical extending main support (2) arranged on a rotary plate (3). Arranged on the main support (2) is a vertically travelling vertical carriage (9) to which a horizontal extension arm (12) is secured. Mounted on the horizontal extension arm (12) is an articulated arm (14) provided at the end with a manipulator gripper (18). Such a handling manipulator assembly (1) is suitable to advantage to feed/remove tools or workpieces to/from a machine tool provided with a front portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8226344
    Abstract: An angle formed on a side of a bucket by a first line segment that connects a first pivot region of a bell crank relative to a boom and a second pivot region of the bell crank relative of a connecting link and a second line segment that connects the first pivot region and third a pivot region of the bell crank relative to a tilt cylinder is no more than 206.5°. An angle formed by the second line segment and a line segment that connects the third pivot region and fourth a pivot region of the tilt cylinder relative to a structural body is, in a fork-attached state, no more than 72.3°. When a pivot region of the fork relative to the boom is substantially 1.5 m from the ground, a lower end of the bell crank is located higher than a lower end of the fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Osanai, Toru Shiina
  • Patent number: 8221049
    Abstract: The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items. An attachment bracket may extend between two pairs of pinching fingers to allow connection of a secondary implement between the pinching fingers. The attachment bracket and the secondary implements may be structured such that the secondary implement may be attached without tools by rotating the pinching fingers forward, scooping up the implement, rotating the fingers backwards and securing the secondary implement with rotatable stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8221050
    Abstract: A robotic is provided which comprises a hub (203); (b) a first lower arm (209) comprising first (213) and second (215) lower arm segments and having a first set of upper arms (229, 231) attached thereto; and (c) a first adjusting means (241) for adjusting the height of the first lower arm segment with respect to the second lower arm segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fabworx Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Kent
  • Patent number: 8196492
    Abstract: A robotic module comprising a housing having opposed first and second sides, and comprising a base, a first end comprising a first drive feature on one of the first and second sides, and a second end comprising a second drive feature on one of the first and second sides. A first rotatable hub is mounted on the first end of the housing and comprises a third drive feature on the side of the housing opposite the side of the first drive feature. A second rotatable hub is mounted on the second end of the housing and comprises a fourth drive feature on the side of the housing opposite the side of the second drive feature. The robotic module is further comprised of a coupling for synchronously rotating the first and second rotatable hubs. A first robotic module may be engaged with a second robotic module to form a robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: David Sutton Denu