Patents by Inventor Wilbur N. Roberts

Wilbur N. Roberts 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: 4932489
    Abstract: A vehicle has been provided with a first load carrying frame having freely rotatable supporting wheels attached thereto. A second frame in non-rotable and compliantly suspended from the first frame. A device is mounted to the second frame for driving and steering the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Transitions Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Evans, Robert B. Croston, Wilbur N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4275986
    Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Engelberger, Torsten H. Lindbom, Maurice J. Dunne, William Perzley, Wilbur N. Roberts, Horace L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 4260941
    Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Engelberger, Torsten H. Lindbom, Maurice J. Dunne, William Perzley, Wilbur N. Roberts, Horace L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 4260940
    Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Engelberger, Torsten H. Lindbom, Maurice J. Dunne, William Perzley, Wilbur N. Roberts, Horace L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 4163183
    Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assista the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Engelberger, Torsten H. Lindbom, Maurice J. Dunne, William Perzley, Wilbur N. Roberts, Horace L. Gardner
  • Patent number: RE32794
    Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Engelberger, Torsten H. Lindbom, Maurice J. Dunne, William Perzley, Wilbur N. Roberts, Horace L. Gardener, deceased