Means Engages A Conveyor Portion (i.e., Pallet) Which Is Separable From The Conveyor Drive To Fix The Position Of Said Conveyor Portion Patents (Class 198/345.3)
  • Publication number: 20020040840
    Abstract: A pallet conveyor apparatus for moving pallets, which carry components of a dynamo-electric machine, along and between routes of a manufacturing line is provided. The pallet conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of pallets, at least one substantially horizontal rail structure, at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt, and a drive for causing the conveyor belt to move along an upper track of the rail structure. The conveyor apparatus may be driven with a drive cartridge that fits within the rail structure. A pallet for use with the apparatus has a platform and a seat portion. The platform has an upper surface that supports the component. The seat portion has a substantially inverted “U” shape. The seat portion of the rail structure has a central surface and two opposing surfaces. The dimensions of the seat portion and the rail structure are such that when the seat portion fits over the rail structure a pallet will be prevented from falling off the rail structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: AXIS USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaele Becherucci, Gianfranco Stratico
  • Patent number: 6354426
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the conveyance and positioning of a vehicle supported on its own wheels along a production line, the vehicle wheels of each vehicle side are assigned conveying systems, for example apron conveyors or drag-chain conveyors, by means of which the vehicles can be moved further on in strokes. So that the vehicles can be positioned and oriented accurately and efficiently in the longitudinal and transverse directions in an automation-compatible and type-flexible way, in each workstation, the two wheel tracks are assigned in each case a prismatic shaped wheel well which can accept variously sized wheels in the same position. The vehicle wheels are supported transversely displaceably therein. Furthermore, a wheel support is arranged at a distance from the wheel wells and can support the wheels of the other vehicle axle likewise so as to be transversely displaceable. The wheel supports cover the various center distances of all the vehicle types occurring in the production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Uwe Habisreitinger, Bernhard Nordmann
  • Patent number: 6343906
    Abstract: An arrangement for transporting microtitration plates in an automatic handling machine is disclosed comprising at least one linear-transport device on which a carriage, which has at least one place of deposit for a microtitration plate, is transported in a straight line, under automatic control, between two limit positions. A lifting device is included with vertically displaceable bolts by which the microtitration plates can be lifted off or deposited on the carriage. At least one rotary device is also included in which a rotary element which has at least one resting place for a microtitration plate can be moved, under automatic control, about a fixed rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: CyBio Instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kraemer, Thomas Moore, Heiko Oehme, Georg Schmidt, Ralph Noll, Martin Bechem
  • Patent number: 6334523
    Abstract: A component conveyor which can spend sufficient time for picking and placing operation has low energy consumption, and the moving speed of the head is fast. In order to pick and place a component P, there are provided several movable heads 6 to 9, movable along a closed path, magnets 15a2 to 15d2 and coils 14a to 14d, both of which stop the head at the picking position and the placing position, and magnets 16a to 16d which transfer the kinetic energy of the moving head to the stopped head at the picking position or the placement position. By applying the initial velocity in the progress direction to at least one head, the kinetic energy is sequentially transmitted to the following head. A moving head is made to stop at a position of the preceding head. Thus, the kinetic energy of the moving head is transmitted to the stopped head. By using the repulsion effect, moving and stopping of the head is efficiently performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 6325199
    Abstract: A pallet conveyor apparatus for moving pallets, which carry components of a dynamo-electric machine, along and between routes of a manufacturing line is provided. The pallet conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of pallets, at least one substantially horizontal rail structure, at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt, and a drive for causing the conveyor belt to move along an upper track of the rail structure. The conveyor apparatus may be driven with a drive cartridge that fits within the rail structure. A pallet for use with the apparatus has a platform and a seat portion. The platform has an upper surface that supports the component. The seat portion has a substantially inverted “U” shape. The seat portion of the rail structure has a central surface and two opposing surfaces. The dimensions of the seat portion and the rail structure are such that when the seat portion fits over the rail structure a pallet will be prevented from falling off the rail structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Axis USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaele Becherucci, Gianfranco Stratico, Vieri Ancillotti
  • Publication number: 20010042672
    Abstract: A plant for assembly of bodies (15) with work stations (16) and means (12) for conveying bodies between work stations comprises reference members (17) assembled transitorily on the conveyance means to support the body on the conveyance means during transfer between work stations and grasping devices (27) assembled in the work stations for grasping the reference members (17) and positioning them accurately while temporarily disengaging them from the conveyance means to accurately position the body supported on the reference members in the station space. The reference members (17) comprise means (39,40) for grasping the body and holding it steadily against them when operated by actuators (44) assembled in the station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Gaetano Di Rosa
  • Patent number: 6308496
    Abstract: The computer manufacturing system includes an assembly unit wherein various assembly parts are assembled into a main chassis according to a process order to complete the assembly of a computer body, an aging and test unit for testing and checking the performance of the computer body transferred from the assembly unit, and a package unit for packaging the computer body transferred from the aging and test unit. The assembly unit, the aging and test unit, and the package unit are sequentially aligned in accordance with process sequences. The assembly unit and the package unit are aligned to the opposite facing each other while the aging and test unit is located between the assembly unit and the package unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Joo Lee, Woo-Gun Suk, Byung-Yong Jange
  • Publication number: 20010032772
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Keith A. Oldford, Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilibarda, Alan S. Kaufman, Karl G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6305075
    Abstract: A shifting device for the transmission of a motor vehicle with a curved printed circuit board inserted under the curved cover and to a process for preparing this curved printed circuit board with the components inserted. The shifting movements performed at the gearshift lever of the shifting device are electronically transmitted to the transmission. The components are inserted according to the present invention on a rigid printed circuit board in the flat state and the printed circuit board is soldered in the curved state, wherein the printed circuit board, consisting of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin, remains in this curved state after cooling due to its inner structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Metin Ersoy, Hans-Joseph Gassmann
  • Patent number: 6300774
    Abstract: A withstand voltage testing apparatus and an automatic testing method thereof are capable of testing a withstand voltage by contacting/separating a test probe to/from a test position of an electronic product automatically and not manually. When a pallette is transported through a conveyor, the pallette is fixed by raising a stopper. Then, it is determined whether a monitor assembly as loaded on the transported pallette has arrived at an operating position. Vibration of the pallette is prevented by moving a pusher horizontally forward to contact one side of the pallette to press the pallette. A test probe moves forward and contacts the test position of the monitor assembly in order to perform a predetermined test. After testing is completed, the test probe connecting the monitor assembly moves backward and the fixed pallette is released by moving the pusher backward. After lowering the stopper, the pallette is transported to perform a next stage of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joung-Su Lim
  • Patent number: 6290051
    Abstract: The decelerator pin is supported on a pin stop of the type used to locate a jigskid at a manufacturing location. The decelerator pin is supported with pivotal movement between a first position wherein it is positioned ahead of the pin stop with respect to the path of travel of the jigskid and a second position wherein the jigskid engages the pin stop. The decelerator pin is operatively connected to a shock absorber which slows the movement of the jigskid as it approaches the pin stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Dallas A.C. Horn & Co.
    Inventor: Harold Herrick, IV
  • Patent number: 6286661
    Abstract: A pallet for carrying dynamo-electric machine component workpieces of different dimensions is provided with first and second support members, at least one of which is movably mounted on the pallet so that the distance between the support members can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of differently dimensioned workpieces. The pallet may include an aperture which allows a removal device to pass through and remove a workpiece from, or deposit a workpiece to the pallet. Each movable support member is releasably locked so that a user may unlock and adjust the support members to a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Axis USA Inc.
    Inventors: Rossano Galassi, Antonio Randazzo, Maurizio Mugelli
  • Patent number: 6234296
    Abstract: A system for positioning a carrier relative to a travel path which includes a base having a pair of opposing side walls extending normal to the base and defining a path therebetween. A force applying device is disposed in one of the side walls and extends into the path for applying a force in the direction of the other side wall. A pair of rotatable eccentric members is secured to the other of the walls and extends into the path for selectively positioning a carrier between the eccentric members and the force applying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gonzalo Amador, Katherine Gail Heinen, Jessie Buendia, Leslie E. Stark, Chill Go
  • Patent number: 6219886
    Abstract: A stretched fiber band is deposited in a can, located in the filling station of a can exchanger of a draw frame, by means of a turntable. The rotational axis of the turntable exhibits an equal to or less than distance from the rotational axis of the can exchanger than the distance from the center point of the can found in the filling station to the rotational axis of the exchanger. Upon the substitution of the filled can by an empty can held in a ready-state position, the operation of the can exchanger on the rotation of the turntable is designed in such a manner, that the fiber band is deposited into the full can exiting the filling station, until this can leaves the zone of the turntable. The fiber band is then deposited into the empty can which has been brought into the filling station II, as soon as this empty can reaches the zone of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Manfred Wagner, Armin Brunner, Beat Näf, Lars Weisigk
  • Patent number: 6219893
    Abstract: Described is a coupling, provided at the spindle head of a machine tool, for clamping an especially plate-shaped work-holding fixture, for example a pallet, in a specified, repeatable and precise position relative to a spatial reference system, wherein the spindle head exhibits a collet, which can be moved axially and radially with respect to its face. To increase the accuracy when machining a workpiece, there is a plate, which is to be connected to the face and is provided with spatial references on the front side, and which has a central passage opening to receive a tension rod, connected to the backside of the work-holding fixture, and a bolt, whose front end can be coupled with the tension rod and whose rear end can be connected to the collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: System 3R International AB
    Inventor: Hakon Nordquist
  • Patent number: 6213285
    Abstract: A pallet accelerator transfers workpiece pallets at high speeds from a pre-stop to a work stop in a conveyorized manufacturing line. While a workpiece is being processed in the work stop position, a pallet is released from a release stop into the pallet accelerator at the pre-stop position. The pallet accelerator has two fingers which engage the pallet. The pallet accelerator is pneumatically actuated to accelerate the pre-stop pallet forward while simultaneously pushing the work stop pallet downstream out of the work stop. The pallet accelerator resets for the next pallet released from the release stop while the pallet at the work stop is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Darrick Taylor Smith
  • Patent number: 6196101
    Abstract: A workpiece moving machine comprising: an elongate frame with an endless belt mounted on the frame and extending between the ends of the frame. A plurality of trolleys are slidably mounted on the frame for movement along the frame. Each trolley has a clamp for selectively holding a workpiece to the trolley. A first clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to one run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in one direction and a second clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to the other run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in the opposite direction. A brake on each trolley selectively brakes the trolley to the frame to prevent its movement along the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Marc Van Den Bulcke
  • Patent number: 6196372
    Abstract: A body assembly system with work stations and a body handling device between work stations includes reference members mounted in an adaptable manner and handling device for supporting the body on the handling device during movement between work stations. The system also includes grasping devices mounted in the work stations for grasping the reference members and positioning them accurately while disengaging them temporarily from the handling device in such a manner as to position the body supported on the reference members accurately in the station space. The reference members are advantageously provided in the form of vertical pins ending below in a ball graspable by the grasping devices to raise the pins from resting on the handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fata Automation S.p.A.
    Inventor: Cristiano Rossi
  • Patent number: 6193047
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying objects to a seated human operator, including a powered conveyor with slippable rollers that is part of a workstation area for the operator. The conveyor is compact enough that a human operator can sit adjacent to it with the operator's legs underneath the moving surface path and perform work on objects being conveyed along the surface path. Also there is a compact driving mechanism for driving the roller shafts. The roller driving and support assemblies are of low vertical height and clear the operator's legs while at the same time maintaining the top surface of the driving and support assemblies and surface path at a comfortable height for the operator's arms. The driving and support assemblies, rollers and roller shafts, and various driving elements provide protection for the human operator. A product stop assembly is also included that stops an object being conveyed along the surface path so that it can be worked on by the human operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shuttleworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brumm, Robert E. Liner, Christopher L. Cramer, Brent R. Howard