Abstract: A machine such as an articulated loading shovel, has a working arm, the machine including a body part to which a first end of the arm is attached for relative pivotal movement about a first generally horizontal axis and the arm having a second end adapted to mount a working implement for movement relative to the arm about a second generally horizontal axis characterized in that the arm is substantially straight between the first and second ends, and is of substantially inverted channel configuration having a top part and a pair of side walls integrally formed, and the arm over at least a major portion of its length between the first and second ends including a strengthening member which extends between and is connected to the side walls.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a booklet stacking apparatus and method. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a booklet stacking mechanism. In one arrangement, the booklet stacking mechanism comprises a gate that is adapted to be placed adjacent an output area, the gate being position able in a closed position and an open position, a delivery path along which booklets can be delivered when the gate is in the open position, and a flipping mechanism that is adapted to receive booklets, invert them, and deposit them in a output bin.

Abstract: A small loader has a frame, and drive tracks on opposite sides of the frame. The, drive tracks are mounted over drive sprockets and idler wheels to establish lengths of track at upper sides. The frame includes upright members at a rear portion for mounting a lift arm assembly made of two lift arms joined together. Each lift arm has a rear portion pivotally mounted on the upright portion of the frame and extending downwardly and forwardly to join side portions of the lift arms that are substantially parallel to the upper lengths of the respective tracks in a lowered position of the lift arm assembly. Actuators for pivoting the lift arm assembly are mounted on the frame, below the side portions and above the tracks, and extend generally parallel to both the side portions and the upper length of the tracks when the lift arm assembly is in a lowered position.

Abstract: The invention provides a lifting apparatus with variable and independently selectable height and reach which comprises a base supporting a lifting structure. The lifting structure comprising two upwardly extending variably extendible support structures, an arm having a proximal end portion and an intermediate portion, which are pivotally connected to an upper end portion of respective ones of said variably extendible support structures; and a load support structure depending from a distal end portion of the arm.

Abstract: A presently-preferred embodiment of a lift and carrier assembly for a personal-transport vehicle comprises a lifting column, an actuator mechanism adapted to lift the lifting column, a pivot plate rotatably coupled to the lifting column, a platform fixedly coupled to the pivot plate, a cam follower coupled to the pivot plate, and a cam member being fixed in relation to the lifting column so that lifting of the lifting column causes the cam follower to contact the cam member thereby generating a contact force between the cam follower and the cam member. The cam follower is biased so that the contact force prevents the cam follower from being lifted when a weight acting on the platform is below a predetermined value thereby causing the pivot plate to rotate about the lifting column in response to the lifting of the lifting column.

Abstract: A cleanroom lift for maneuvering large objects such as turbomolecular pumps utilized in semiconductor processing applications is provided. In one embodiment, the lift includes a vertically movable carriage coupled to a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly has a first link and a second link. Each link has one piece construction to minimize deflection under load. The first link is coupled to the carriage by a carriage shaft assembly and to the second link by a linkage shaft assembly. The second link is coupled to the linkage shaft assembly and a gripper assembly. Optionally, a third link and second shaft assembly may be disposed between the gripper assembly and the second link to minimize the weight of the links to facilitate assembly in cleanroom environments.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a robot that can transfer workpieces, such as silicon wafers, at increased speeds and accelerations and decelerations. More particularly, the present invention provides a robot wrist associated with the robot arm for mechanically clamping a workpiece to a workpiece handling member attached to the arm. The wafer clamp selectively applies sufficient force to hold the workpiece and prevent slippage and damage to the workpiece during rapid rotation and linear movement of the handling member. In a particular embodiment, a clamp for securing silicon wafers uses a flexure assembly to position and hold the wafer with minimal particle generation and wafer damage. The clamp is designed so that the wafers are normally clamped near full extension of the workpiece handling member to deliver or pick up a wafer.

Abstract: An offset connection for a skid steer loader or other work vehicle having right and left boom assemblies, an implement connected to boom assemblies, and a body. An offset connection assembly is provided that includes (i) a seat member attached to one of the triangular plate member and the lower link member, the seat member having a first passage formed therethrough, and a seat formed therein, (ii) a hollow offset pin journaled within a hole in the other of the triangular plate and the link member, the offset pin having (a) a surface offset from a center of the pin constructed to engage the seat of the seat member at a selectable orientation, and (b) a second passage formed therethrough, and (iii) a fastener passing through the first and second passages and securely fastening the hollow offset pin and the seat member in the selectable orientation.

Abstract: A transport system for manipulating a semiconductor wafer in a processing tool is set forth. The system includes a transport unit guide disposed within the processing tool for supporting a wafer transfer unit as the unit moves between a first position and a second position. The transport unit guide comprises a frame, a lateral guide rail mounted on the frame, and a series of magnetic segments arranged upon the transport unit guide proximate the lateral guide rail. The wafer transfer unit includes a tram translatably attached to the lateral guide rail and a wafer transfer arm assembly for manipulating the semiconductor wafer. An electromagnet is mounted on the tram in cooperative relation with the magnetic segments for moving the transfer unit along the guide rail. Actuators are used for controlling the position of the transfer unit and transfer arm assembly, and sensors are used for determining the position of the transfer unit and the transfer arm assembly.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a telescopic load carrying arm 30, comprises a rigid chassis 32 carried by two front and rear axles 1 and 2, a driver's cab 33 and a support 31 for articulation of a telescopic load charging arm 30 disposed in front of the cab 33. The chassis 32 has a first compartment 34 containing an internal combustion motor 21 and a radiator 23, a second compartment 35 containing two reservoirs of onboard fluid, and a securement 36 adapted to receive agricultural tractive equipment.

Abstract: A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.

Abstract: Mobile construction equipment includes a hydraulically activated boom and operating stick for carrying two separately mounted construction tools. In an excavator, a bucket is mounted on the end of the stick in the conventional manner and adjacent the bucket there is rotatably mounted a second tool carrier or rack having an inner and outer end. Detachably mounted at the outer end of the rack is the second tool which travels with the mobile construction equipment. The rack is rotatable from a retracted position extending upwardly and along the stick to an extended position where the tool can be deployed for operational use.

Abstract: In a station for forming stacks of layers of articles, a horizontal supporting surface has a window for allowing a layer to pass freely therethrough. First pushing bars drive the layers along the support surface. A stationary descending ramp starts from the initial part of the window and extends downstream. A horizontal lower surface is situated after the ramp and under a horizontal upper surface, and forms a part of the support surface situated downstream of the window. An additional conveyor is associated to the window to restore cyclically a continuity in the support surface in the region of the window for the odd layers, and consequently to direct each odd layer toward the upper surface, and to allow the even layers to pass cyclically through the window. The even layers are consequently directed, due to gravity, onto the ramp. Second pushing bars move each even layer to the ramp and convey the even layer to the lower surface.

Abstract: A frame apparatus that fits on the loader arms of a skid steer front loader. This frame apparatus serves as a platform upon which a plurality of hydraulically driven tools can be employed to grasp, lift, rotate, and transport heavy objects such as oil drums and telephone poles. The hydraulically driven tools are designed in a manner that allows them to be easily installed on, and removed from, the frame apparatus by one person. This is accomplished by having a frame member as part of the tool that slides over the end of the attached frame apparatus and is held in place by passing a pin through both of the attached frame members.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rows of side-by-side elongated members from a conveyor to a stacking platform to form bundles. A plurality of parallel stacker arms are displaceable in a direction parallel to the conveying of the elongated members, between a retracted position, and a stacking position, wherein the stacker arms are positioned above the stacking platform for disposing rows of elongated members thereon. A ramp is displaceable between an inclined position and a horizontal position, for guiding the pivoting of the stacker arms about carriages, such that stacker arms moving from the retracted portion to the stacking position are pivoted upward to pick up a row of elongated members from the conveyor portion, and that stackers arms moving from the stacking position to the retracted position are kept generally horizontal, so as to encompass the rows of elongated members conveyed on the conveyor portion. A slat positioner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transfer robot includes a machine base, at least one hand for holding a workpiece, a hand moving mechanism for moving the hand horizontally reciprocally at least in an X direction, a first arm pivotally connected to the machine base for rotation about an axis extending in the X direction. The robot further includes an intermediate arm pivotally connected to the first arm for rotation about another axis extending in the X direction, a second arm pivotally connected to the intermediate arm for rotation about a further axis extending in the X direction. The second arm is also connected to the hand moving mechanism which is rotatable about a still another axis extending in the X direction. A driving mechanism is provided for rotating the first arm, the second arm, the intermediate arm and the hand moving mechanism about the respective axes.

Abstract: A skid loader attachment for increasing the versatility and ease of use of the skid loader. The skid loader attachment includes a frame assembly having a base portion. The base portion is designed for coupling to booms of a skid loader. The frame assembly has a plurality of tines. The tines forwardly extend from the base portion of the frame assembly opposite the skid loader. A plurality of arm assemblies are coupled to the base portion of the frame assembly. Each of the arm assemblies are articulated such that each of the arm; assemblies is positionable with respect to the frame assembly. Each of the arm assemblies are adapted for being operationally coupled to the skid loader such that articulation of each of the arm assemblies is controlled by an operator of the skid loader. The arm assemblies are adapted for facilitating manipulation of materials engaged by said frame assembly.

Abstract: A microtool for manipulating components is proposed. A component is held with the microtool by at least one gripper arm having a gripping surface, the gripper being movable by an actuator structure. Also provided is a device for releasing the held component from the gripping surface, whereby an acceleration is induced in the gripper arm for at least a time, and the force of inertia resulting from the inertial mass of the held component and the exerted acceleration will be greater than any force of adhesion acting between the held component and the gripping surface. A process is also proposed for producing a microtool or a microtool part, in particular a microgripper by micropatterning.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a processing system having a robot assembly which includes a multiple sided robot blade that can support a substrate on at least two sides thereof and associated methods to transfer one or more substrates in a processing system. An unprocessed substrate can be supported on the blade while a processed substrate is retrieved from a location to which the unprocessed substrate is to be delivered. The processing throughput rate is increased by reducing the movements required by the robot to exchange processed substrates and unprocessed substrates, thus decreasing the swap time.

Abstract: A parallel kinematics mechanism is provided for uses such as robotics or machining. The mechanism has various limbs, at least some of which are actuatable, for moving an end component with multiple degrees of freedom. The mechanism advantageously facilitates a closed-form solution for the forward kinematics. A joint assembly is provided for use in the parallel kinematics mechanism, the joint assembly having a plurality of revolute joints for connecting to at least three limbs, the joints having non-parallel axes, which intersect at a common point. In various embodiments of the invention, the end component has three, four, five and six degrees of freedom.