Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for use with a rotatable arm in a robotic manipulator, wherein such arm is rotated about a rotation axis. The assembly further includes one or more compression springs for providing resistance to compressive forces, and converting apparatus for translating the rotational movement of the rotatable arm about the rotation axis into linear deflection of such compression spring, whereby resistance of the compression spring to linear deflection in either direction along its longitudinal axis establishes an effective counterbalancing force which reduces the load bearing on the arm drive regardless of the direction in which the rotatable arm is rotated.

Abstract: A compact, internal-external gripper apparatus for use with an industrial robot utilizes a sliding block actuated toggle linkage to apply an input force to a pair of finger supports in a fully enclosed housing. Pressure is selectively supplied to each end of the sliding block to reciprocably move it along an internal way system with a unidirectional spring assist in the workpiece clamping position.