Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for moving objects along a predetermined movement path, comprising a stand, a slide assembly carried by the stand, and a gripping-device attachment device connected to the slide assembly, the gripping device being intended to hold the object being moved by the arrangement. According to the invention an elongated carrier is displaceably mounted on the stand for reciprocating movement along a first straight path. The slide assembly is displaceably mounted on the elongated carrier for reciprocating movement along a second straight path which is substantially perpendicular to the first path. The slide assembly carries one end of a link system, the other end of which is free and reciprocatingly moveable along a third straight path extending perpendicularly to both the first path and the second path. The free end of the link system carries the attachment device.

Abstract: A prealigner for semiconductor wafers is described, together with a method for prealigning. The prealigner includes mechanism for holding the wafer in a non-slip manner and motive means for adjusting the position of its engagement with the wafer as necessary to make the geometric center of the wafer precisely coincident with a chose position. The alignment method results in eliminating parts of original equations during the calculations of the location of the geometric center and flats or other distinguishing features on the edge of the wafer are located by utilizing a particular equation for a plurality of overlapping sections of the edge.

Abstract: An arrangement for bracing a load in which a wedge is moved into frictional engagement between a mounting surface and a surface of the load. A spring biased rod is coupled to the wedge and moves it into and out of engagement with the mounting and load surfaces. A stop is provided to prevent the wedge from penetrating between said surfaces beyond a predetermined limit in order to avoid generating excessive forces between said surfaces.

Abstract: A handling apparatus includes a base member having a rotating shaft, of a multijoint arm having one end portion thereof connected to the rotating shaft, a holder mounted at the free end portion of the arm, for holding a wafer, a stepping motor for circling the holder together with the arm about the rotating shaft, and another stepping motor for pivoting the arm joints. The multijoint arm is constituted by a plurality of parallel crank mechanisms arranged on corresponding planes in parallel with the circulating plane. One of the links constituting the first-stage parallel crank mechanism is fixed on the base member. During nonuse of the apparatus, the respective parallel crank mechanism overlap each other on the base member. Pulleys are mounted on joints of the arm, and a wire is wrapped around the pulleys. When at least one of the pulleys is pivoted, the parallel crank mechanisms are displaced, thereby extending or retracting the arm.

Abstract: A holding device for semiconductor disks or wafers orients and secures the disk during transport to a working position. Shortly before the disk reaches a working position the device releases the surface to be worked or secures the disk position with the aid of a ring which remains in the working position. Thereby the disk surface can be worked completely or with minimal shadowing and simultaneously the transport mechanics can be effectively protected against the working process, for example coating or etching. All parts continuously exposed to the working process can be readily exchanged. If the disk remains adhered in the working station, it is torn off by a form-fitting transport securement.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for anchoring a parking meter head to the top of a support post. The device includes a metal capture cylinder formed with a lateral bore which receives a double-headed locking pin, the heads of which are adapted to fit within a pair of transverse openings formed through the post. A clamping bolt accessible from inside the vault of the meter head is operated to draw the cylinder upwardly toward the base of the meter to a secure position where the locking pin is captured in a manner which prevents unintended removal.

Abstract: An industrial robot (10) comprising a cylindrical fixed robot body (14), a swivel body (26) mounted on the fixed robot body (14), a robot arm mechanism (60, 64) pivotally joined to the swivel body (26), and a robot wrist (66) connected to the robot arm mechanism is provided with a cable guide member (30). The cable guide member (30) is extended along the outside of the fixed robot body (14) and has a lower end pivotally joined to the fixed robot body (14) by a lower bearing member (42) and an upper end pivotally joined to the swivel body (26) by an upper bearing member (40). The cables (50) of the industrial robot (10) extending from the lower end of the fixed robot body (14) are held by cable holding section (32) formed in the middle portion of the cable guide member (30) and are extended from the upper end of the cable holding member (30) through the swivel body (26) toward the robot arm mechanism.