Patents by Inventor Giuseppe Maffeis

Giuseppe Maffeis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8267449
    Abstract: A support device for pneumatic prehensile members, in particular suction cups, for picking up and moving the parts, items and the like. It includes a fixed support body (support body) a tubular rod (12) moving axially in the body, and a return spring (13) between the body and rod. Between the tubular rod (12) and a distal end of the fixed support body (support body) are interposed some guide elements (14) provided to prevent torsion/rotation of the rod during its longitudinal movements in and with respect to the fixed body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 8256961
    Abstract: The invention concerns a guide system with rolling elements, in particular ball bearings, for slide devices having a first and a second slide members (11, 12) coupled and guided between them, where a slide member (12) is susceptible to alternative linear movements compared with the other slide member (11) with the interposition of two linear sets of ball bearings (31, 31?). One of said slide members (12), on at least one of its sides parallel with the movement direction, has an opening which is integrated by a variable clamping finishing cheek (28) to establish an adjustable preload of the two sets of ball bearings between the first and the second slide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20120200100
    Abstract: An equipment (1) for the simultaneous handling of several components having a plurality of gripping heads (2) which are movable between a close position and at least one spaced position in which they are at a preset distance from each other, and vice versa, including a first rod-shaped element (3) to which the gripping heads (2) are slidingly combined, a second rod-shaped element (4) parallel to the first rod-shaped element (3), provided with a longitudinal guide (5), movable between a first position and at least a s econd position, a plurality of rods (6) hinged in a zigzag forming a broken line (7) having a median fulcrum (8) at which it becomes integral with the second rod-shaped element (4), and a plurality of lateral fulcrums (9) free to slide in the guide (5) of the second rod-shaped element (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 8201866
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gripper device for gripping solid or hollow items, objects or bodies, which includes a supporting body (11, 11a) holding a plurality of gripper modules (12, 12a) positioned around the geometric axis of the body, parallel and spaced at an angle. Each module includes a flexible prehensible arch-shaped element (21, 21a) having an extrados in line with a radial slot (18, 18a) along one side of the housing and engaged by an actuator piston. All the prehensile elements are movable between a decontracted rest condition, in which their extradossis are retracted in the respective slots (18, 18a), and a compressed/contracted work condition, in which their extradossis protrude from the radial slots (18, 18a) to engage from time to time the item, object or casing to be gripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20120080896
    Abstract: A pneumatically controlled grasping device to grasp and handle items or bodies provided with a graspable member. A supporting sleeve (16, 36) internally delimits an intermediate space (23, 43) contiguous to a distal opening and a guide chamber (23?, 43?) connected to a source of fluid under pressure. In the intermediate space a gripper device (21,41) is mounted, facing the distal opening and designed to engage with the graspable member. In the guide chamber a control piston (22, 42) is housed movable into a first position which corresponds to an activation or deactivation of the gripper device by the fluid under pressure, and to a second position which corresponds to the deactivation or activation of the gripper device, by at least a flexible reaction element (27, 47). The gripper device can be equipped to grasp the graspable member from the outside or from inside when it has a cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS
  • Patent number: 8132485
    Abstract: A device for transforming alternating rectilinear motion into intermittent rotary motion, in particular for the command of indexed rotary tables. The device includes at least one fixed base element (11) with cam guide elements (14), a moving slide element (12) associated with the fixed element, equipped with mechanical locator elements (15) following the cam guide elements (14) and susceptible to alternating movements on and with respect to the fixed base element commanded by an actuator, and an index plate (13) rotatably associated with the fixed element, interacting mechanically with the moving slide element (12) and susceptible to angular rotation pitch in answer to the alternating movements of the moving slide element. The index plate is connected to an indexed rotary table to be commanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20120043777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic gripper which comprises a gripper body (21, 121), at least two pneumatic control pistons (23) operating within at least one chamber (22, 122) defined by the gripper body and movable in opposite directions with respect to each other by means of a driving fluid supplied to said chamber, at least two guide columns (34) associated with each piston and emerging from the ends of at least said chamber, and at least two jaws (37) movable with said pistons between an active position for gripping a work-piece and an inactive position for releasing the work-piece. The guide columns (34) are attached directly in front of and inside the profile of a respective piston (23), and each gripping jaw (37) may be attached directly to the ends of the columns of a relevant control piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 8104807
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pneumatic needle gripper that comprises two due slides (33) on board a gripper body (10) each carrying at least one pair of needle grippers (36). The needles on a slide are facing towards the needles on the other slide, each sloping and converging towards a frontal plane (16) of the gripper body. The slides can me moved simultaneously in opposite directions, by means of a pneumatic control piston (19), between an inactive position, in which the needles are retracted compared with the frontal plane and at a distance from each other, and an active position in which they protrude from the frontal plane to penetrate into a material to be picked up and moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GIMATIC S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 8091938
    Abstract: A pneumatic linear gripper, including a gripper body (11) with a chamber (15), a piston (12) moving alternately in the chamber (15) and a pair of jaws (13) sliding associated and movable in opposite directions with piston via a translation device (20). The gripper body (11) is formed of two elements (14), or semi-shells, joined face to face to define at the same time the chamber (15) for the piston (12) and the sliding guides (16) for the jaws (13). The piston (12) is composed of a first component (21), made of a plastic material, bearing seals and a second component (22), made of metal, associated with the first and united, in particular integral, with the translation device (20) of the jaws in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20110247438
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for operating gripping or movement tools provided at least with a movable member (16, 17) movable alternatively between a first and a second position distanced between them by a cursor (18) susceptible to controlled alter native linear movements starting from an electric actuator. The device comprises a transmission means (27) of the movement connected to the actuator, one towing slide (26) associated with the cursor (18) and susceptible to alternative movements caused by said actuator by means of said transmission means, and at least an elastic member (28) positioned preloaded between said towing slide (26) and said cursor (18) parallel both to their movement direction and to the movement direction of at least a mobile member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS
  • Patent number: 8033025
    Abstract: The invention concerns a shearing or gripping tool which comprises a body with a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal chamber for a drive piston for actuating the shearing or gripping tool which move between an idle and active position in answer to the movements of the piston between the retracted and forward positions. Sensitive elements to detect at least the forward position of the piston in its respective chamber and in the same way the active position of the shearing or gripping tools in order to signal the effective fulfilment of their action, are associated with the proximal part of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: GIMATIC S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 8007018
    Abstract: The invention concerns a one-finger gripper device that comprises a pneumatic actuator (10) with a control piston (16) that is connected to a gripper jaw (19) for the movement of the latter between an active and idle position, and where the gripper jaw (19) is set up and susceptible to linear movements on a (Y) axis at right angles to the (X) axis of the control piston, the piston and the gripper jaw being connected to each other by a transmission at 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: GIMATIC S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20110187138
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pneumatic needle gripper that comprises two due slides (33) on board a gripper body (10) each carrying at least one pair of needle grippers (36). The needles on a slide are facing towards the needles on the other slide, each sloping and converging towards a frontal plane (16) of the gripper body. The slides can me moved simultaneously in opposite directions, by means of a pneumatic control piston (19), between an inactive position, in which the needles are retracted compared with the frontal plane and at a distance from each other, and an active position in which they protrude from the frontal plane to penetrate into a material to be picked up and moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS
  • Patent number: 7976087
    Abstract: The invention concerns a linear pneumatic gripper that has a gripper body comprising a base element (11), in which a chamber (18) has been provided for a piston (12) and which supports two drive levers (13) oscillating on relative fulcrums or pins (24) and connected to the piston, and a guide head (14) associated with the base element and having a guide groove for two jaws connected to the drive levers. The guide head is fixed to the base element of the gripper body by the oscillation fulcrums or pins (24) of the drive levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20110095460
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic decelerator with a fluid tank (28), in which a main piston (14) operates, and a compensation chamber (25), in which a compensation piston (15) operates. The fluid tank and the compensation chamber communicate by passing the fluid from one to the other in answer to the movements of the main piston in said tank, in a work direction under the control of a flow stop-adjustment member (12). The latter has a conical shank (22) that interacts with a cylindrical bore (31) provided in the main piston in an opposite direction through return conduits (32) also provided in the main piston associated with a one-way valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS
  • Patent number: 7931420
    Abstract: A section element for constructing frames, supporting structures and the like made up of a section body (10) having one or more flat surfaces (11) and one or more rounded sectors (12) as parts of a circumference with a preset diameter. In correspondence with each flat surface (11) a longitudinal groove (13) is provided with parallel borders defining undercuts (15). The section body can be connected to other elements by means of clamps (16) each one delimiting at least one cylindrical in diameter housing matching that of the cylindrical surface defined by the rounded sectors of the section body and having at least one additional centering member designed to fit in the groove along at least one of the flat surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 7883132
    Abstract: A linear pneumatic gripper including a gripper body (11) with a chamber (15), a piston (12) moving alternately in the chamber (15) and a pair of sliding gripper jaws (13) associated with and moving in opposite directions with the piston, and where the gripper body (11) is made up of two elements (14), or identical shells, joined face to face to form at the same time the chamber (15) for the piston (12) and the slide guides (16) for the jaws (13), and the piston (12) is in particular integral with the translation devices (22) for the movements of the jaws of the grippers in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Publication number: 20100247006
    Abstract: The invention concerns a guide system with rolling elements, in particular ball bearings, for slide devices having a first and a second slide members (11, 12) coupled and guided between them, where a slide member (12) is susceptible to alternative linear movements compared with the other slide member (11) with the interposition of two linear sets of ball bearings (31, 31?). One of said slide members (12), on at least one of its sides parallel with the movement direction, has an opening which is integrated by a variable clamping finishing cheek (28) to establish an adjustable preload of the two sets of ball bearings between the first and the second slide members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS
  • Publication number: 20100230984
    Abstract: The invention concerns a support device for pneumatic prehensile members, in particular suction cups, for picking up and moving the parts, items and the like. It comprises a fixed support body (support body) a tubular rod (12) moving axially in said body, and a return spring (13) between said body and rod. Between the tubular rod (12) and a distal end of the fixed support body (support body) are interposed some guide means (14) provided to prevent torsion/rotation of said rod during its longitudinal movements in and with respect to the fixed body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS
  • Publication number: 20100148529
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gripper device for gripping solid or hollow items, objects or bodies, which comprises a supporting body (11, 11a) holding a plurality of gripper modules (12, 12a) positioned around the geometric axis of the body, parallel and spaced at an angle. Each module comprises a flexible prehensile arch-shaped element (21, 21a) having an extrados in line with a radial slot (18, 18a) along one side of said housing and engaged by an actuator piston. All the prehensile elements are movable between a decontracted rest condition, in which their extradossis are retracted in the respective slots (18, 18a), and a compressed/contracted work condition, in which their extradossis protrude from said radial slots (18, 18a) to engage from time to time the item, object or casing to be gripped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Giuseppe MAFFEIS