Including Cam Slot Or Groove Patents (Class 269/233)
  • Patent number: 10882148
    Abstract: A pivot unit includes a housing and a drive motor moveably connected to the housing. The drive motor includes a cylinder housing at least partially defining a cylinder bore. A piston is disposed within the cylinder bore. A first piston rod has a proximal end attached to a first side of the piston and a distal end attached to the housing. The cylinder housing is moveable along the first piston rod relative to the piston and the housing between a first cylinder housing position and a second cylinder housing position. A drive linkage is fixedly attached to the cylinder housing for concurrent movement with the cylinder housing relative to the piston and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Caromation, Inc.
    Inventor: G. Scott Kreft
  • Patent number: 10786886
    Abstract: A pneumatic crankshaft clamp assembly for retaining a crankshaft during processing having a housing for supporting the crankshaft and a clamp arm pivotally coupled to the housing for movement between a clamp position and an unclamp position. The clamp arm engaging the crankshaft to retain the crankshaft in contact with the housing in the clamp position and be spaced apart from the crankshaft in the unclamp position. The proximal end of the clamp arm having a cam follower. The assembly further having a pneumatic piston disposed within a piston cylinder of the housing. The pneumatic piston is moveable in response to pneumatic pressure. The piston having a cam formed thereon engaging the cam follower of the lifting arm such that the lifting arm moves in response to pneumatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Dominion Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mark Mietling, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10615068
    Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew W Coady
  • Patent number: 10252404
    Abstract: A dual chuck device with a shaft grasping assembly and a screw stem grasping assembly each with respective jaws, driving mechanism and sleeve. Upon turning a respective sleeve in one direction or the reverse direction, the respective drive mechanism moves the jaws toward or away from a grasping position. In the grasping position, the screw stem is grasped. When the sleeve is presses against a working surface being penetrated by a driven screw, the driving mechanism moves the jaws in the reverse direction to move them apart to no longer grasp the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: David Hauser
  • Patent number: 10184551
    Abstract: An actuating device comprising a housing inside of which an actuating element is provided, the actuating element being slidably displaceable along a first axis between a first operative position and a second non-operative position, the displacement between the first operative position and the second non-operative position defining the stroke of the actuating element; a manual operating element pivotably connected to the housing at a first pivoting axis and coupled to the actuating element through a linkage, so that the linkage produces a translation of the actuating element, upon rotation of the manual operating element; the linkage comprising at least one lever arm coupled to a respective driver member, wherein the driver member is guided and constrained into a respective blind seat provided on the actuating element, characterized in that the lever arm is slidably coupled to the driver member and the driver member is movably constrained into the blind seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: PNEUMAX S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Bottacini
  • Patent number: 9393054
    Abstract: A spinal rod locking holder includes an outer body, a handle assembly at a proximal end of the outer body, a locking assembly within a distal portion of the outer body, and a sprocket assembly at the distal end of the outer body. The handle assembly includes a moveable handle operatively associated with the sprocket assembly to selectively engage and release an end of a spinal rod. The locking assembly including a bearing operatively associated with a pawl such that when the moveable handle is compressed the bearing extends the pawl into contact with an outer surface of the sprocket assembly. The sprocket assembly including sprocket sections configured to compress against the end of the spinal rod when the pawl engages the outer surface of the sprocket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Meyer, Kevin R. Strauss, Larry McClintock
  • Patent number: 9120369
    Abstract: A glass run installation tool for attaching a glass run to a door frame includes at least one lower abutment member and an upper abutment member. The tool also includes a base with a first arm and a second arm. The lower abutment member is coupled to the first arm, and the upper abutment member is coupled to the second arm. The second arm is moveable relative to the first arm between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The upper abutment member and the lower abutment member clamp the glass run and the door frame together to thereby attach the glass run to the door frame when the second arm is in the clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Trudelle, Paul Leal, Kurt M. Miller
  • Patent number: 8740203
    Abstract: Clamp devices configured such that dust does not enter insides of casings. The clamp devices each include the casing, and a clamp-side end section of a clamp arm is exposed from an opening of the casing. The clamp arm includes: a first circular arc section which is exposed from the casing when a workpiece is clamped by the clamp arm and is contained within the casing when the workpiece is not clamped by the clamp arm; and a second circular arc section which is exposed from the casing when the workpiece is not clamped by the clamp arm and is contained within the casing when the workpiece is clamped by the clamp arm. A first scraper and a second scraper are in sliding contact with the first circular arc section and the second circular arc section, respectively. The clamp device can also include a side surface cleaning scraper for making sliding contact with a side surface of the first circular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130221594
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism includes a base, a clamping block rotatably connected with the base, an eccentric handler and a guiding member. The eccentric handler defines a hinging hole and a sliding slot. Part of the sliding slot is eccentrically positioned relatively to the hinging hole. The eccentric handler hinges on the base via the hinging hole. The guiding member passes through the sliding slot and is movably connected with the clamping block. The eccentric handler pivots to enable and to force the guiding member to move along the sliding slot for clamping and releasing a workpiece placed on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: QING-SONG WEN
  • Patent number: 7731201
    Abstract: A work fixing device capable of stably fixing the work, without any biasing, in the longitudinal direction of the work, of the fastening force for fixing the work. The moving mechanism of clamps is constructed by comprising a scroll disc as working disc forming a circular hole in which to insert the work at the center and scroll guides in spiral shape the winding direction of which is opposite to each other from the center toward the outer circumference on the both side faces, a rotary drive mechanism for rotatably driving this scroll disc, and scroll pieces having a fitting portion to be engaged with the scroll guides of the scroll disc and disposed on both sides of the scroll disc in a way to correspond to a plurality of clamps respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Spindle Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Murata, Naoto Hata, Yoshiaki Takada
  • Patent number: 7648131
    Abstract: A horizontal hold down clamp that includes a base member. The hold down clamp further includes a bar member pivotally connected at a fixed point to the base member. A handle is pivotally connected to the base member at a fixed point. The clamp also includes a link connected pivotally to the handle member and the bar member. The clamp may also include a spindle arranged on the bar members and a locking lever arranged on the side of the handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Hagan, David Martin
  • Patent number: 7641202
    Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating an article, such as a cutting tool. A moveable jaw member includes first and second inclined surfaces, with the second inclined surface being substantially parallel to the first inclined surface and non-parallel to a central axis. A support structure provides stationary first and second guide surfaces along which the respective first and second inclined surfaces contactingly move. This maintains the jaw member in a selected angular alignment with the central axis as the jaw member advances in a direction orthogonal to the central axis to engage a side of the article. A second jaw member is preferably provided so that the article is clamped between the first and second jaw members. A spring preferably biases the jaw members apart and resists inward movement thereof. A base surface advances along the central axis to contactingly advance and retract the jaw member(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Professional Tool Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel T. Dovel
  • Patent number: 7234376
    Abstract: A holding device for fastening elements which is securable to screw-driving power tool and includes at least two clamping members (20) which abut a stem (74) of the fastening element in a release position of the clamping members and which are displaceable upon an application of a force thereto into their release position, with the clamping members (20) having at least one contact region which forms, at least in the support position of the clamping members (20), a front stop of the holding device (10) in a drive-in direction (22) of the power tool (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Bader
  • Patent number: 6959580
    Abstract: A sheet metal bending brake having a frame with a planar work supporting surface and a plurality of spaced frame members extending over the work support surface. Each frame member has a throughbore and these throughbores are aligned with each other. A plurality of elongated pivot arms are pivotally secured at one end to the frame for movement toward and away from the work supporting surface. Each pivot arm also includes a generally rectangular opening aligned with the frame member throughbores. A block is longitudinally slidably mounted in each pivot arm opening and this slide block is constrained against movement in a direction perpendicular to the work support surface. Each block furthermore includes a trapezoidal opening with spaced apart and parallel top and bottom surfaces and outwardly flared side surfaces. An elongated shaft extends through and is rotatably mounted to the frame member throughbores and this shaft also extends through the trapezoidal openings in the pivot arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Douglas G. Break
  • Patent number: 6883794
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning device used to position a work piece on a work platform is provided. The adjustable positioning device includes a base which is coupled to the work platform and has multiple sockets, and a supporting frame which has multiple slots. The supporting frame further includes a supporting portion protruded from a lateral side of the supporting frame, a number of bars which are installed at the bottom of the supporting frame and are used to insert into selected sockets, a slide block with a sliding section and a pressing section wherein the sliding section is able to slide and can be selectively fixed in a slot while the pressing section and the supporting portion are opposed to each other. The work piece can be retained between the pressing section and the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 6685177
    Abstract: A clamping and locating fixture includes a hollow body, a pin or angled plate mountable to the body, a locking arm positionable within the body locatable between two positions and a drive pin moveable within the body to engage the locking arm. A workpiece can be directed to a clamping position by the guide pin or angled plate. The pin or plate includes an aperture allowing a locking projection of the locking arm to extend therethrough and over a workpiece to clamp the workpiece for a processing operation. The locking projection can be retracted through the aperture while the workpiece is being located or is being removed. The drive pin can be moved within the body to engage a cam follower of the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilabarda, Fred Zarna, Greg Bildson
  • Patent number: 6655673
    Abstract: A power clamp apparatus, comprised of, a single metal body with an interior cavity running there through, a unit assembly which is inserted into said interior cavity, and said unit assembly including, a piston for slidable back and forth movement within said cavity, a lower portion of said cavity acting as a chamber for said piston, a piston rod connected to said piston, a floating head member on the piston rod, a link mechanism connected proximate to an upper end of said piston rod, a lower cap member which closes off said cavity near a bottom end of said metal body, an upper cap member which closes off the metal body proximate to a top end thereof after said unit assembly is inserted into said cavity, a drive shaft inserted through apertures in a generally transverse position through said metal body, with a central portion of said drive shaft inside the metal body being connected to an end of said link mechanism, a clamp arm attached to said drive shaft on the outside of said metal body, and wherein when sa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Colby
  • Patent number: 6641123
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a toggle link mechanism which converts rectilinear motion of a rod member into rotary motion, an arm which is rotatable by a predetermined angle in accordance with a driving action of a cylinder section, and a lock mechanism which holds an unclamping state of the arm even when transmission of driving force of the cylinder section to the arm is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6557841
    Abstract: A rotary clamp having a linkage assembly that provides an over-center condition for providing high actuation and clamping forces without excessively wearing the components of the linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is connected to a linear actuator for converting linear actuator motion into rotary clamp motion between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The linkage assembly provides a first link having an aperture for receiving a pin and a roller wherein the roller is coaxially connected o the pin. The second link is pivotally connected to the first link, and the third link is pivotally connected to the second link. The roller of the first link rollably engages a surface on the third link when moving in and out of the clamped position. A beam-like structure connected to the housing provides a wear surface wherein the pin engages the wear surface in response to the roller engaging the third link to prohibit the first link from reaching an over-center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Norgren Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Dellach, Timothy Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6431536
    Abstract: A gripper is provided with a body with a top part having at least one pair of parallel wings delimiting between them a channel for guiding at least two jaws. At least one wing (14) on one side of the channel is interrupted in the center (22), elasticized and provided with a bolt for the guiding and the adjusting of the coupling clearances of each jaw independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
  • Patent number: 6206355
    Abstract: A clamp (10) having at least one clamping assembly (11) comprising a base plate (17) and a pair of tension elements (14, 15), the base plate (17) including a pair of oblong holes (16) which converge towards a central line, each of the two tension elements (14, 15) being fully or partially curved at its peripheral face, the peripheral face being made of a skidproof “non-slip” material, a respective tension element (14, 15) being mounted in a respective one of the two oblong holes (16) and positioned such as its axis is substantially perpendicular Lo the base plate (17), the tension elements (14, 15) furthermore being arranged, such that the curved peripheral faces thereof are exactly opposed to each other, and the tension elements (14, 15) being slidable in their respective oblong holes (16) by means of a common slider (155), and wherein they are rotatably seated by means of ball bearings (20), such that they can freely rotate about their own longitudinal axis, wherein, on one hand, the distance be
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Wilfried Lichtenberg
  • Patent number: 6199846
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and an adjustable converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for adjustably converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: ISI Norgren, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Crorey
  • Patent number: 6115898
    Abstract: A force multiplying apparatus employs a pivoting clamping arm motion and then a subsequent linear clamping arm motion. A slotted swing arm and a slotted drive link are pivotably and slidably mounted to a relatively fixed body. A toggling action and coincidental sliding of pivots cause the multiplied closing forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin G. Sawdon
  • Patent number: 6105947
    Abstract: A low profile fixture clamp which provides a clamping force in two perpendicular directions through the motion of a pneumatic cylinder in a single plane. The principle component of the clamping force is a horizontal force in-line with the force generated by the pneumatic air cylinder. An additionally vertical downward clamping force is also generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Dykstra
  • Patent number: 6003850
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a housing and a pivot pin mounted for pivoting movement about an axis of rotation with respect to the housing. A clamp member is connected to the pivot pin and is moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to rotation of the pivot pin. The pivot pin has an arm extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. A drive member is mounted for linear reciprocal movement along a fixed path with respect to the housing, and a linkage connects the drive member to the arm of the pivot pin for converting reciprocal movement of the drive member into pivoting movement of the pivot pin. An electric motor is connected to an output shaft with an axis of rotation, and a first converting mechanism connects the drive member to the electric motor for converting the rotary motion driving force into a linear reciprocal harmonic motion of the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: ISI Norgren, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Crorey
  • Patent number: 5791222
    Abstract: A tool including two flat parallel flanges (2 and 3), defining between them a space (4) which corresponds to the thickness of a cutting blade (5) and including two symmetrical slots which have profiles that are roughly identical to that of a gutter (7) so as to constitute a guiding cradle for cutting the gutter by operation of the cutting blade (5) between flanges (2 and 3). The guiding cradle is defined by slots delimited in an upper zone by a convex contour (6b) of a fixed part of the flanges, and in a lower zone by the concave contour (6a) of a movable part, so that a movable part can be articulated at one of its ends around a fixed axis of rotation (8) like a jaw (9) in the open position (0), to allow free passage of the gutter (7) and in the closed position (F) constitutes a fixed support for cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Dal'Alu S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Micouleau
  • Patent number: 5513836
    Abstract: A clamping device is disclosed for holding doors, panels and similar generally planar workpieces in an upright position while the device is attached to a stationary or movable support. Automatic clamping of a workpiece is accomplished by placing the workpiece on a support member and in contact with a movable member, with the weight of the workpiece causing diagonal sliding movement of the workpiece and movable member towards a stationary member. The workpiece is released by lifting the workpiece, with a coil spring urging the movable member diagonally away from the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Jerry Hillenburg
  • Patent number: 5490663
    Abstract: A slide actuated holding clamp for holding a connector stationary while a push test or pull test is performed on a conductor secured to the connector. The clamp comprises a main body portion having an opening formed therein, a locking member adapted to fit nestably substantially within the opening, and an actuating member adapted to fit nestably within a recessed portion in the locking member. The actuating member is pivotally coupled to an upper end portion of the locking member and the locking member is captively held within the opening in the main body portion by a locking pin. The locking member includes elongated openings which allow the locking member to be urged slidably longitudinally within the main body portion as the actuating member is moved in first and second longitudinal directions. The pivotal coupling of the actuating member and locking member allows the locking member to be urged pivotally into abutting engagement with a connector as the actuating member is moved in a first linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, George L. Justus
  • Patent number: 5484222
    Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a pipe, which apparatus comprises an outer member having a first inclined inner surface, and an inner member having a first inclined outer surface, the arrangement being such that, in use, on rotation of said outer member relative to said inner member in one sense said first inclined inner surface co-operates with said first inclined outer surface so that said inner member moves towards a pipe to be gripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Joerg E. Schulze-Beckinghausen
  • Patent number: 5378970
    Abstract: An IC carrier for loading ICs of different sizes thereon includes a spiral disk provided in a box-shaped frame member and a plurality of IC support members engaged with a spiral grove of the disk. Rotation of the spiral disc causes the IC support members to shift in position to accommodate ICs of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 5350163
    Abstract: A clamping member (11) for a wood clamp (10) is provided and comprises two spaced engaging elements (14, 15), each shaped as right oval cylinders. The engaging elements are rotatably mounted to a support plate (17) and are arranged to slide relative to support plate in respective slots (16) which converge. A workpiece is arranged to be clamped between the engaging elements when it is moved in the direction in which the slots converge as movement of the workpiece causes the engaging elements to slide in the converging slots thus further gripping the workpiece and also rotate until such time as the engaging elements clamp the workpiece and prevent further movement of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Wilfried Lichtenberg
  • Patent number: 5277411
    Abstract: A slide actuated holding clamp for holding a connector block stationary while a push test is performed on a conductor secured to the connector. The clamp comprises a body portion having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and a portion forming a channel. A locking member is pivotally disposed within the channel and includes a locking finger portion and a lower shoulder portion. An actuating member is slidably disposed within the channel and includes a pin member extending transversely therethrough which causes the locking member to move pivotally such that the locking finger portion is moved outwardly of the channel when the actuating member is moved in a first direction. When the actuating member is moved in a longitudinally opposite second direction, the pin member abuttingly engages the lower shoulder portion, thereby causing the locking member to move pivotally such that the locking finger portion is retracted to a position within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: George L. Justus
  • Patent number: 5269502
    Abstract: A clamping head assembly for clamping frame members in an underpinning machine includes a pair of clamping members each of which has upper and lower elements spring biased apart. The lower element carries a friction pad and is connected by a pin and slot connection or a parallelogram linkage to the upper element. Downward pressure on the clamping members causes slight longitudinal movement of the friction pad tending to pinch together the frame members at a mitre joint where they are held, for example, for underpinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignees: Magnolia Group PLC, W. & M. Joyce Engineers Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter A. J. Joyce
  • Patent number: 5244195
    Abstract: A clamping fixture (10) for releasably clamping a workpiece (12) to avoid damage to the workpiece comprises a support (40) having a pair of arms (60,62) mounted thereto for rotation to and from each other. Each arm has a jaw assembly (68,70) spring-biased thereto opposite the jaw assembly on the other arm so that each jaw assembly can "float" along each of the x, y and z axes. When the arms are rotated together, the jaw assemblies conformally grip the workpiece therebetween with a reduced incidence of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Clyde A. Lawrence, Ivan Pawlenko, Brian D. Potteiger
  • Patent number: 5193789
    Abstract: Apparatus for releasably clamping a range of sizes of complex shaped articles having an upright web and laterally disposed upper and lower flanges. A first set of upper and lower flanges of an article placed on a work platform extends towards a first edge of the platform and a second set of upper and lower flanges extends towards a second edge thereof. One C-clamp on one side of the article terminating at a tip end is movable between an inactive position distant from the work platform and an active position at which the tip end grippingly engages one of the lower flanges of the article. As the C-clamp moves between the inactive and active positions, the tip end follows a path other than a continuous smooth arc so as to avoid striking the upper flange of the article. Another C-clamp, similarly constructed and operated, is provided on the other side of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Avco Corporation
    Inventor: Claybon R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5174489
    Abstract: A mechanical clamping device adapted to engage and secure the upper tooling of a welding knee. The clamping device is motor driven such that several clamping devices can be simultaneously and synchronously operated to engage, align and secure the upper tooling from a remote location. The clamping device includes a clamping lever actuated by a cam mechanism. The clamping lever has an upper end provided with a cam follower, a lower engagement end for engaging the tooling, and a journalling region. The engagement end is adapted to closely engage a corresponding feature on the tooling. The journalling region of the clamping lever is slidably journalled in a bushing which includes a biasing member for biasing the cam follower against the cam mechanism. The clamping lever is pivotably attached by the bushing to the cam mechanism which serves to both rotate the clamping lever and bushing together and stroke the clamping lever within the bushing to secure the upper tooling to the welding knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Mason
  • Patent number: 5169132
    Abstract: Substrate handling apparatus includes a trigger handle which forms a trigger-like mechanism with a handle grip. The trigger handle is interconnected with activation means such that application of pressure on the trigger handle activates the activation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Myers, James E. Spence
  • Patent number: 5121863
    Abstract: A rack on which a telephone hand set is deposited in a vehicle includes a planar center part (17) with a flange part (16,16') on one end, and clamps (5,7) protruding from the center part (17), which can move between two extreme positions. On the center part (17) are also provided means for moving the clamps (5,7) so that the hand set can be detached from or secured to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Jouko K. Kotitalo, Jouko T. Tattari
  • Patent number: 5060958
    Abstract: A power drive and transmission unit for self centering clamps and chucks has a housing with a cylindrical bore and a piston which is rotatably mounted therein and is acted upon by two linear operating, piston cylinder drives to obtain rotation of the rotating piston in one or the opposite direction. Two or three linearly moving central slide elements which are mounted on said housing for obtaining the centering chuck action elements are connected to the rotating piston by means of pins running in oblong slots in order to convert the rotation of the rotating piston into oppositely linear motion of the slide elements, so that they move towards or away from a common center depending on the direction of rotation of the rotating piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Roemheld GmbH
    Inventors: David Fischer, Rudolf Kohlert
  • Patent number: 5034621
    Abstract: A proximity switch assembly (10) for signaling the location of a movable member (36) at either of opposite end limits of movement relative to a stationary frame (44, 46) includes a compact elongate housing (58) adapted to be mounted on the frame to extend along the path of movement of a power driven member (32), such as the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder, which shifts the movable member between its end limits. The proximity switch is fixedly mounted in the housing and carries a switch actuating member (68) mounted for sliding movement over a relatively short distance sufficient to move an actuating target (74) into and out of actuating proximity of an air core proximity sensing coil (120) within the housing. Lost motion abutment shoulders (70, 72) on the switch actuation member and power driven member (54) move into engagement with each other as a power driven member approaches each end of its stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Groves, Joseph Lazzaro, Gregory L. Nadolski, Donald L. Van Zeeland
  • Patent number: 4934104
    Abstract: A cone tail chuck apparatus for chucking a conical body comprising: a plurality of abrasive stones arranged in a circle; a first drive device for causing the abrasive stones to spin; a second drive device for causing the abrasive stones to move centripetally (inwardly); and a frame,which chuck apparatus is operated by:(i) pressing the abrasive stones centripetally on the curved surface of the conical body;(ii) operating the first drive device to cause the abrasive stones to spin;(iii) operating the second drive device to cause the abrasive stones to move centripetally into the conical body; and(iv) operating the first drive device to cause the abrasive stones to cease spinning when the abrasive stones has moved into the conical body by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Company Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ibe
  • Patent number: 4876782
    Abstract: A fixture engages each leg of a chair leg assembly to support each leg against longitudinal displacement along respective leg axes. A ram and associated drive member are mounted opposite each leg free end so that each ram axis is substantially aligned with one leg axis. A glide is adapted to fit loosely on the leg free end in a first position and to be driven tightly onto the leg in a second position. A pair of cam arms are coupled to the ram so that as the ram advances toward a leg that has a glide in the first position thereon, the cam arms and jaw members at the free ends of the cam arms, pivot toward the leg. The jaw members cooperate to align the leg axis with the ram axis while the glide is in the first position and to support the leg transversely to the leg axis as the ram advances to drive the glide into the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Carpin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Carpinella, Karl Becher
  • Patent number: 4784377
    Abstract: A ceramic substrate is held in position, while being processed, by vacuum. The substrate is positioned on an intermediate plate and held down by a vacuum. The intermediate plate is supported on an air bearing while being moved into correct location on a support member, after which the intermediate plate is held in position by a vacuum. The locating of the intermediate plate can be caused to move into position during movement of the support member to a processing position. Typical processing is the screen printing of circuits and other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Daniel A. Woodward
  • Patent number: 4778163
    Abstract: A pair of air cylinders are provided on the stand for holding a printed circuit board. A first jaw includes a sleeve having spiral slots at opposite ends which register with straight slots in sleeve sections on a second jaw and pins carried on an air cylinder and a piston rod head extend into the aligned slots. A spring normally contracts the air cylinder and air pressure overcomes the spring action to expand the cylinder and pivot the second jaw to a closed position relative to the first jaw for clamping the circuit board. In an alternative embodiment, the air cylinder is integral with a second jaw and a pin carried on the rod head moves in a spiral slot in a sleeve on the first jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Larry R. Spear
  • Patent number: 4667531
    Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a continuous rotary shaft connected to a drive source, a cam fixed on the rotary shaft to convert each continuous rotation motion of the rotary shaft to a compound horizontal and vertical motion, and an output member coupled with the cam. The cam comprises a single piece, disc-shaped compound cam having in its upper surface an endless groove formed of continuously-arranged arcuate and non-arcuate groove portions and an endless guide the depth of which from the upper surface of the compound cam varies continuously. The output member is supported displaceably in the horizontal and vertical directions relative to the compound cam and includes at least one roller engaged with the groove and the guide of the compound cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Sankyo Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heizaburou Kato, Yukihisa Maruyama
  • Patent number: 4667805
    Abstract: The invention is a robotic parts presentation system for delivering a workpiece into a work envelope of an industrial manipulator. This system also centers the delivered workpiece about the centerline of the workpiece in the X and Y axes directions thereof. The invention provides an accurate system for the location of the part with respect to a programmed pickup point for acquisition by an industrial manipulator. The system comprises in combination a centering device which is disposed within the work envelope of the industrial manipulator and a flip-over mechanism for delivering the workpiece from a transfer station outside of the work envelope onto the centering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Richard S. Antoszewski
  • Patent number: 4666138
    Abstract: A pipe clamp for use in welding together a pair of pipe sections having confronting ends adjacent one another comprises arcuate jaws together forming a generally circular body of such diameter as to encircle the pipes with adjacent ends of the jaws spaced by a gap. A force generating jack is carried by one of the jaws adjacent the gap and has a radially reciprocable member to which is secured one end of a flexible force transmitting member which spans the gap and has its other end secured to the other jaw. The force transmitting member is trained around a force conversion member carried by the one jaw which converts radial force to circumferential force enabling the gap to be closed. The jaws are provided with cooperable guides to maintain those ends of the jaws adjacent the gap in circumferential alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Timothy C. Dearman
  • Patent number: 4664364
    Abstract: A proximity switch assembly for signalling the location of a movable member at either of opposite end limits of movement relative to a stationary frame includes a compact elongate housing adapted to be mounted on the frame to extend along the path of movement of a power driven member, such as a piston rod, which shifts the movable member between its end limits. A proximity switch is fixedly mounted in the housing and a switch actuating member is mounted for sliding movement over a relatively short distance sufficient to move an actuating tab into and out of actuating proximity to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Ozz Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Lymburner
  • Patent number: 4653162
    Abstract: A method for coining a precision corner break on an oil metering flat for a rotor of a power steering rotary valve is provided. The method comprises the first step of placing a workpiece to be coined in a first floating position set by a clamping and orientating device where the workpiece is generally aligned but adjustable for further coining orientation if necessary. The next step comprises engaging the workpiece with a plurality of circumferentially spaced coining dies. The workpiece floats from the first floating position to a second coining position upon engagement by the dies. The last step comprises coining the workpiece to a precision depth selectively adjustable by adjustment of a motion conversion means. The press assembly includes fixed and movable platens, the movable platen being powered by a power cylinder assembly to direct the movable platen in a longitudinal direction in the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Buckeye International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Ferguson, Dennis L. Germovsek
  • Patent number: 4622123
    Abstract: A device for compressing a pair of plates composed of a slotted post extending upright from one of the plates, arranged to pass through a port in the second of the plates, and a circular ramp member rotatably attached to the second of said plates, which ramp is positioned to engage the post slot. Upon rotation of the ramp, the post is drawn through the port resulting in a closing of the distance between or compression of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Ionics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Samuel Nejame, Jr.