Abstract: Apparatus for pivoting a robot or manipulator operating head about a yaw axis wherein the head is mounted on a wrist mechanism with a roll axis. The operating head is mounted on a head support member connected by a yaw pin to the forward end of the wrist mechanism for pivotal movement between a normal, forwardly extending position and a yawed position. A fluid cylinder with a forwardly extending piston rod is mounted on the wrist mechanism and is operatively connected by flexible means to the head support member. The flexible means includes a bell crank with one arm operatively connected to the piston rod, and a link connected between the other end of the bell crank and the head support member. When the piston rod extends and retracts, the operating head is pivoted about the yaw axis. The linkage isolates the fluid cylinder from the gravity forces resulting from the moment produced about the yaw axis by roll motion of the operating head about the roll axis when the head is in the normal position.

Abstract: An automatic ladling apparatus for conveying molten metal from a furnace to a die casting machine or the like. The ladle dipper is carried through its ladling cycles by means of cooperating link assemblies mounted on an upright base or pedestal. The assemblies include a motion generating link assembly having a generating arm with an outer end adapted to move through a generally horizontal path with a downwardly curved vertical portion at one end. The other end of the generating arm is connected to a crank arm mounted on a crankshaft that is turned by an appropriate drive through a Geneva motion mechanism. The motion of the generator arm is further controlled by a rocking link connected between the arm and the base. The outer end of the generator arm is connected to a second link assembly that includes a main link connected at one end to the base and a carrier link connected to the main link at one end and adapted to carry the ladle dipper at its other end. The attitude (i.e.