Cam-operated Patents (Class 294/116)
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Patent number: 11939191Abstract: A system includes a crane and an exchangeable tool. The crane and the tool respectively, include an upper tool connector with tool retainers and a lower tool connector which can be interconnected, e.g. a male and female connector, e.g. the lower tool connector of the tool being embodied as a shank provided with a shoulder and the upper tool connector as a tool clamp with a female, open-centered body. A tool suspension device includes the upper tool connector and a travelling block member. The tool clamp has multiple mobile tool retainers adapted to—in a non-operative position—allow introduction of the shank of the tool from below into the shank receiving passage and—in an operative position—engage below the shoulder of the shank that has been introduced into the passage so as to suspend the tool. The upper tool connector may include a bearing allowing for swivelling of the open-centered body, and e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Maarten Hugo Hooftman, Cornelis Martinus Van Veluw, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer
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Patent number: 11912510Abstract: A device for gripping containers is provided. The device includes clamps adapted to clamp a container and a centring cone adapted to receive a cap of the container. The centring cone has a longitudinal axis and comprises an inlet mouth, for entrance of the cap, and an inner lateral surface. The inner lateral surface comprises a first, substantially cylindrical portion and a second portion comprised between the first portion and the inlet mouth and diverging outwards in the direction from the first portion to the inlet mouth. The centring cone is a component separate from and independent of the clamps.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: FT SYSTEM S.R.L.Inventors: Marco Caffa, Marco Cipriani, Francesco Lanzone
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Patent number: 11260541Abstract: A gripper for industrial manipulators includes: at least two jaws one of which being movable allowing it to be opened and closed; and a gripper body. A first gripper body portion housing an actuator device and a second portion supporting the jaws and at least one pin element, defining a pivot axis of the movable jaw, or a pivot axis of at least one transmission element operatively interposed between the at least one movable jaw and the actuator device. The gripper arranged so that the pin element also acts as a locking pin to firmly lock together the first and second portions of the gripper body in assembled condition. The pin element having a circumferential groove which allows a snap coupling of the first portion and the second portion of the gripper body: an elastic element separating them and engaging the edge of one of the two in the groove.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: GIMATIC S.R.LInventor: Giuseppe Bellandi
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Patent number: 11167427Abstract: A modular gripper has a body with a trident section and cylindrical section. A powering assembly is positioned in the cylindrical section. A pair of oppositing jaws is pivotally secured between a center wall and a pair of side wall, respectively, of the trident section. The piston rod moves a cam assembly on the center wall. The cam assembly passes through a body having a trident section and cylindrical section. The trident section comprises a trident structure that includes, at one end, a pair of side walls along with a center wall. The cylindrical section includes a fluid driven powering assembly. A pair of opposing jaw member are pivotally secured to the trident portion about separate pivot pins. A cam assembly is operatively connected to a piston rod of the fluid driven powering assembly. The cam assembly extends laterally outward with respect to a cylinder bore axis to receive a cam bush that engages with a through slot on each of the pair of opposing jaw members.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.Inventors: Shashikumar Bettaiah, Ravi Kumar Shivanna
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Patent number: 10876833Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus for moving a sample a precise distance in an imaging device includes a base, and a movable portion positioned above the base and configured to move relative to the base. An extent of motion of the movable portion is constrained by stops. The extent of motion is within 10 nm of a predefined distance of greater than 1 mm. Additional apparatuses and methods are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Robert G. Biskeborn
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Patent number: 10780540Abstract: A workpiece clamp apparatus includes: a robot arm having, at a distal-end portion thereof, a holding section for holding a workpiece; a hydraulic-fluid supply coupler provided at the distal-end portion of the robot arm; a hydraulic-fluid supply device for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic-fluid supply coupler; a clamping device having a plurality of clamping members that grip the workpiece for machining with a machine tool; and a cylinder that has a hydraulic-fluid supply port to which the hydraulic-fluid supply coupler can be connected and that drives the clamping member in the workpiece-gripping direction as a result of the hydraulic fluid being supplied via the hydraulic-fluid supply port.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Fanuc CorporationInventor: Ryouta Nakamura
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Patent number: 10774601Abstract: A pipe gripping device includes a gripper arm arrangement having first and second gripper arms and having an open state which enables the pipe to be introduced into an opening between the arms, and an engaged state in which the gripper arms are adapted to engage with the pipe. First and second drive arms movably connect the respective first gripper arm and the second gripper arm to a support structure. Pivots rotationally connect the drive arms to the support structure. The device further comprises a transmission drive shaft and a transmission arrangement having first, second and third transmission members, each rotatable in respect to each other and coupled with each other. The first member is coupled with the drive shaft, the second member is coupled to the first member and the first drive arm, and the third member is coupled with the second member and the second drive arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: NABORS LUX 2 SARLInventor: Svein Søyland
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Patent number: 10669107Abstract: A supporting device for receiving, securing, and supporting at least one gripping mechanism comprises at least one gripper arm pair of a first and second gripper arm for gripping, holding, and guiding containers, a circular or circular-segmented support plate including a first receiving opening to accommodate and secure a first gripper arm pivot axis, a second receiving opening to accommodate and secure a second gripper arm pivot axis, and a third receiving opening to rotatably receive a cam control shaft for opening or closing the gripping mechanism configured for each gripping mechanism in the axial direction, and a fourth receiving opening to receive and fix a locking pin to rotatably secure the cam control shaft for each gripping mechanism, the fourth receiving opening extending inwardly from an outer lateral surface of the support plate toward the third receiving opening and at least partly projecting into same.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: TYROLON-SCHULNIG GMBHInventors: Elmar Schulnig, Ludwig Schulnig
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Patent number: 10238936Abstract: A device for setting a golf ball and tee. The device includes an upper handle portion connected to a lower gripper portion by an elongated tubular stem portion, the upper handle portion including a pivotal trigger member. The lower gripper portion includes a pair of jaw members pivotal about a pin member. A cable member is located within the elongated tubular stem portion and communicates the pin and trigger members, allowing the normally open jaw members to be brought together to hold a golf ball and tee upon activation of the trigger member. A stand member is attached to the elongated tubular stem portion adjacent its lower end, and includes a spike member extending downwardly therefrom. A golf ball stop member configured to prevent contact between a golf ball and the upper portions of the jaw members extends between the jaw members.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Inventor: John J. Jensen
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Patent number: 10189653Abstract: A device for transporting containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Andreas Fahldieck, Nils Mallitzki
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Patent number: 10167175Abstract: A lifting and support device comprises a first yoke having a first support arm that defining a first wedge slot above the first support arm and a second yoke pivotally coupled to the first yoke having a second support arm inwardly extending toward and laterally spaced from the first support arm and defining a second wedge slot above the second support arm. The first and second wedge slots are substantially aligned when the first and second yokes are in a closed position. A wedge is configured for insertion within the first and second wedge slots when the first and second wedge slots are substantially aligned to hold a structure between the wedge and the first and second support arms of the first and second yokes in order to support a structure relative to the lifting and support device.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Inventor: Terry S. Swope
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Patent number: 10086974Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system uses pucks disposed on a pallet to accommodate a plurality of container sizes into which pharmaceuticals can be dispensed. An order processing device receives a pharmaceutical order and identifies a size of container into which a pharmaceutical in the pharmaceutical order should be dispensed. A pallet sizing and pucking device is configured: to configure a pallet with a plurality of pucks adapted to accommodate containers and to configure the pucks on a pallet in a manner that will facilitate efficient fulfillment of the pharmaceutical order.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: EXPRESS SCRIPTS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
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Patent number: 10016899Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder-driven mechanical gripper with a series-connection loose-leaf hinge framework. The mechanical gripper consists of a palm and two flexible fingers or a palm and three flexible fingers. The flexible fingers are identical in structure, and each one of the flexible fingers consists of an elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder and a series-connection loose-leaf hinge. Each one of the series-connection loose-leaf hinges has a hinge mandrel equipped with a torsion spring, and the characteristic parameters and pre-tightening angle of the torsion spring are optimally designed according to the features of a grasped object. The mechanical gripper is driven by the elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder to generate a grasping force. The mechanical gripper applies to the grasping of fragile brittle objects, or grasping of objects with varying shapes and dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: JIANGNAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Jun Zhang, Qiuping Li, Jiaping Zhang, Lifeng Lu, Bing Lv
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Patent number: 9969039Abstract: In a steady rest (1) for centring a rotationally symmetrical workpiece (2) in the space, consisting of: two housing halves (4, 5) arranged at a distance from one another and firmly connected together, a middle steady rest arm (6) arranged between the two housing shells (4, 5) that is mounted in the housing shells (4, 5) by means of an actuation piston (7) so as to be moved in an axial direction (3) towards the workpiece (2), and two outer steady rest arms (11, 12) that are in a driving connection with the middle steady rest arm (6) by means of a guide slide (13) which has a control track (14) on two opposite outside sides, on which a roller (16) attached to the free ends (15) of both outer steady rests (11, 12) is arranged which roll along the control track (14), workpieces (2) with different diameters should be held in the space.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: SMW-Autoblok Spannsysteme GmbHInventors: Eckhard Maurer, Jürgen Marquart
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Patent number: 9950227Abstract: A device is disclosed for setting a golf ball and tee in the ground and then for retrieving the golf ball and tee. The device has a handle end for being held in the hand of a user along with a ball pick-up end which engages a golf ball and tee so that the golf ball and the tee can be placed in the ground and then picked up. The handle end also has a trigger which is used to operate arms located at the pickup end which arms engage the ball and tee wherein a first rod connects the trigger to the arms of the pickup end. The first rod passes through a shaft and connects the trigger to the arms. An adjuster in the handle end operates a second rod which also passes through the shaft which controls a ball cup which is used to set the ball onto the tee which tee is then placed in the ground. Additionally, a stand is provided for insertion into the ground so that the device can be held in an upright position for being easily grasped by a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Inventor: Timothy K Faircloth
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Patent number: 9919396Abstract: A tool gripping arrangement for loading an elongate tool having a lengthwise axis into a collet. The tool gripping arrangement includes a tool clamp comprising a pair of tool clamp grippers for clamping the tool along a clamping axis. The tool gripping arrangement further includes a mounting arrangement for mounting the gripping arrangement to a robot arm, the tool clamp being mounted for free rotation relative to the mounting arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Anca Pty LtdInventors: John David Garnham, Benn McGrath
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Patent number: 9724832Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder-driven mechanical gripper with a series-connection plate spring framework. The mechanical gripper consists of a palm and two flexible fingers or a palm and three flexible fingers. The flexible fingers are identical in structure. Each flexible finger consists of an elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder and a series-connection plate spring. Dimensions of all plate springs connected in series are optimally designed according to grasping objects. The mechanical gripper is driven by the elastic corrugated pipe single-acting cylinder to generate a grasping force. The mechanical gripper applies to the grasping of fragile, brittle objects or the grasping of objects varying with shapes and dimensions. When connected with a robot body, the mechanical gripper particularly applies to the production and logistic fields for grasping, sorting and packing of foods, agriculture products and light industrial products.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Jiangnan UniversityInventors: Jun Zhang, Qiuju Zhang, Jianzhong Jiang, Bing Lv
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Patent number: 9700335Abstract: Surgical gripping forceps are provided with one or two gripping jaws movable relative to a main body, wherein each moveable one of the gripping jaws has a pivot pin, fixed in position relative to the main body, and a lever arm. The lever arms are articulated via at least one push element. For this purpose each movable one of the gripping jaws has its own pivot pin. From the midline of the main body, the individual pivot pin has at least a distance greater than 38% of the maximum width of the main body or maximum diameter of the main body. The microsurgical gripping forceps operate with customary force for actuating the forceps, and permit a substantial applied clamping force.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: KARL STORZ GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Josef Reinauer, Hans Ganter
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Patent number: 9543047Abstract: A method for storing nuclear fuel includes transferring a fuel assembly from a long term storage vault to a nuclear reactor core, removing the fuel assembly from the nuclear reactor core, determining a heat generation rate of the irradiated fuel assembly, and transferring the irradiated fuel assembly to one of an interim storage vault and a long term storage vault based on the determined heat generation rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLCInventors: Maria E. Falcone, Scott L. Pfeffer, Elizabeth B. Umhoefer
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Patent number: 9517898Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for use in a container-treatment plant. Such an apparatus includes a gripping-and-holding device having a support body, spring-loaded and pivotable gripper arms on the support body, a locking element, and a horizontal pivot axis about which the locking element pivots between locked and release positions. Pivoting into the release position releases the gripper arms.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: KHS GmbHInventor: Andreas Fahldieck
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Patent number: 9493331Abstract: A device for use in connection with a manhole covers having two generally opposing slots includes a first member including a first section and a second section including a first attachment member. The device further includes a second member including a second attachment member. The first member and the second member are rotatably connected so that a distance between the first attachment member and the second attachment member can be adjusted. The first section extends from the second section so that a proximal end thereof is at a height above the surface of the manhole cover of no greater than 3 feet when the first attachment member is in attachment with one of the two slots and the second attachment member is in attachment with the other of the two slots.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Inventor: Jeffery D. Montgomery
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Patent number: 9387591Abstract: Pliers which have a first gripper jaw (1) comprising a gripper jaw body (3) and a gripper jaw element (4) that can be moved relative to the gripper jaw body (3), a second gripper jaw (2) comprising a gripper jaw body (3?) and a gripper jaw element (4?) and a sensor (5). The sensor (5) is disposed on the gripper jaw body (3) such that said sensor can be triggered by the gripper jaw element (4). A contour (6) is formed on the gripper jaw element (4?) in a region oriented towards the gripping region of the pliers. A contour (6?) is likewise formed on the gripper jaw element (4) in a region oriented towards the gripping region of the pliers. The contours (6, 6?) are configured such that, in the closed state of the pliers, the contours (6, 6?) are substantially in mesh in a mutually complementary manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: FIPA GmbHInventor: Roland Kob
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Patent number: 9266242Abstract: A gripper (1), in particular a pneumatically actuated gripper, with a housing (2), in which a preferably pneumatically actuable linear drive (6) is formed. The gripper also has first and second gripping jaws (10, 20), which are respectively mounted pivotably in relation to the housing (2) about a pivot axis (D1, D2). The first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are coupled to the linear drive (6) in such a way that a linear movement produced by the linear drive (6) is respectively converted into a pivoting movement of the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) in an opening or closing direction of the gripping jaws (10, 20). In order to ensure reliable gripping, the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are coupled to one another by way of a synchronizing element (5) in such a way that, when the linear drive (6) is actuated, the pivoting movements of the first and second gripping jaws (10, 20) are synchronized.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: FIPA GmbHInventors: Roland Kob, Stephan Eifler
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Patent number: 9101392Abstract: An information reader of an injection container that includes a container clamping mechanism clamping side portions of the injection container, the container clamping mechanism includes a pair of first clamping bodies arranged on one side of the side portions of the injection container, and a second clamping body capable of entering between the pair of the first clamping bodies. Each of the pair of the first clamping bodies includes a first clamping unit having a first recess in an approximate doglegged shape, and a first arm portion projecting approximately horizontally from a lower end portion of the first clamping unit. The second clamping body includes a second clamping unit having a second recess in an approximately reverse doglegged shape formed to face against the first recess, and a second arm portion projecting approximately horizontally from a lower end portion of the second clamping unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Ookuma Electronic Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keiji Okuma
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Patent number: 9022442Abstract: A gripper (42) for gripping an object (14), intended for a transfer device includes two jaws (64, 66). Each of the jaws includes: a recess (92), and a first clamping portion (94) and a second locking portion (96). The first clamping portion (94) of each jaw (64, 66) of the gripper (42) includes a supporting surface and, when the gripper (42) is closed around an object (14) occupying a predetermined reference position, the supporting surface is intended to engage with a portion of a bearing surface of a radial collar of the object.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Sidel ParticipationsInventors: Nicolas Rousseau, Jocelyn Michel
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Patent number: 8899646Abstract: A gripper formed as a single component includes a hoop portion connecting facing arms. Each arm may have a tang end, a jaw end and a pivot intermediate the tang and jaw ends and be attached to the hoop portion at the pivot to be pivotable to change the size of a jaw opening defined by the jaw ends. The hoop portion is cyclically loaded in use and configured to act as a stress concentrator for the gripper and provide a failure point for consistently initiating a failure crack in the hoop portion at time of failure of the gripper. Each of the facing arms is attachable to a base such that at failure, the fractured portions of the gripper are retained to the base.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Nick Wilson, Lee Kuipers, Mark Burk
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Publication number: 20140232126Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gripper arm, and a method for its manufacture, for a device for grasping, holding and guiding in particular bottle-like containers which comprises a rotatably mounted control cam for moving a gripping section of the gripper arm from an open position into a gripping position, having a bore hole for supporting a bearing pin for pivotably mounting the gripper arm in the device, a seating for an opening means for moving the gripping section of the gripper arm from the gripping position into the open position, and a suspension means for cushioning and equalizing the force and/or deflection exerted on the gripper arm by the control cam. So that the gripper arm remains sufficiently free of contaminants and germs and is thus unproblematic to clean, the suspension means comprises a spring bar integrally formed in an end section of the gripper arm body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: TYROLON-SCHULNIG GMBHInventor: Elmar Ludwig Schulnig
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Patent number: 8807397Abstract: A device that dispense dosages of a free-flowing substance has a support column with a horizontal support arm (10) cantilevered thereon. The device includes a holder unit (20) on which at least one movably supported receiving unit (30) is arranged. The receiving unit is designed so that at least one dosage unit (70) can be set into, as well as taken out of, it. The holder unit contains at least one agitation actuator (50) that acts on the receiving unit. The dosage unit can be fastened to the receiving unit by means of a pre-tensioned clamping module (60). For the insertion and/or removal of the dosage unit, the clamping module can be spread apart from a dispensing position into a loading position by means of an opener module that is based on the holder unit. In the dispensing position, the opener module is uncoupled from the receiving unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Mettler-Toldeo AGInventors: Marc Zehnder, Pascal Frei
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Patent number: 8752873Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for transporting a rack (3) for microscope slides (4), in particular in systems for preparing tissue samples for histological examinations, the gripper device having a gripping mechanism including a pair of gripping arms (2), whose ends are configured as gripping sections (7) for gripping the rack. In order to provide a gripper device which can be used in a versatile manner in automated stainers and coverslippers and contributes to reducing the cost of manufacture, it is proposed that the gripping sections (7) be provided with first profiles (17) for gripping the rack (3) in a vertical position and second profiles (18) for gripping the rack (3) in a horizontal position.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbHInventor: Midhat Hajrovic
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Patent number: 8690212Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a robot hand including a frame, a link member moving relative to the frame, a joint unit provided between the frame and the link member, a drive unit supplying power to the joint unit so as to rotate the link member, and a backlash removal unit supplying constant torque to the joint unit, even if a relative position of the link member to the frame is changed as the link member is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Youn Baek Lee, Yong Jae Kim, Jeong Hun Kim, Heum Yong Park
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Patent number: 8672376Abstract: A gripper formed as a single component includes a hoop portion connecting facing arms. Each arm may have a tang end, a jaw end and a pivot intermediate the tang and jaw ends and be attached to the hoop portion at the pivot to be pivotable to change the size of a jaw opening defined by the jaw ends. The hoop portion is cyclically loaded in use and configured to act as a stress concentrator for the gripper and provide a failure point for consistently initiating a failure crack in the hoop portion at time of failure of the gripper. Each of the facing arms is attachable to a base such that at failure, the fractured portions of the gripper are retained to the base.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Nick Wilson, Lee Kuipers, Mark Burk
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Publication number: 20130257072Abstract: An attachment for use with a walking cane or crutch to facilitate picking up objects from the surface. The attachment is designed to attach to most walking canes and crutches without modifying the original design walking aide, having a unique adjustment system that enables use on adjustable style walking aides. Includes a trigger mechanism located under the hand grip, actuating a pivotal arm mechanism located along the side of the cane tip, and away from the operator walking side, the pivotal arms are stored in the vertical position and rotate down, to 180 degrees to clamp on objects at ground level. The parts and mechanism are designed to be symmetrical and may be positioned on either side for right hand or left hand use. Although pictured with an offset cane it is designed to be used with a straight shafted cane and also crutches.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventor: Jimmie Dale Chrysler
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Patent number: 8454069Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator operative for moving the at least one gripper jaw. A support is fixed relative to the actuator for supporting the at least one gripper jaw, wherein the support has at least one mount location formed in the support. A stop member is removably affixable to the support at the at least one mount location for limiting movement of the at least one gripper jaw wherein the size of the stop member corresponds to a discrete maximum degree of opening of the at least one gripper jaw.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLCInventors: Anthony Jenkins, Michael A. Filipiak, Conrad Earl Waldorf
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Patent number: 8439413Abstract: A gripping device for automatic bottle-topping machines comprising an anti-rotation blocking element, mobile between an opening position and a gripping position, a first mechanism, provided for actuation of the anti-rotation blocking element, a first actuation element, operatively connected to the first mechanism a gripping element, mobile between an opening position and a gripping position, a second mechanism, provided for actuation of the gripping element, and a second actuation element, operatively connected to the second mechanism, wherein the anti-rotation blocking element and the gripping element are provided for engaging on a bottle.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Arol S.p.A.Inventor: Sergio Cirio
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Patent number: 8360492Abstract: A gripping apparatus for gripping containers may comprise a gripping element which has two gripping parts that can move relative to one another and a carrier on which the gripping parts are arranged. At least one portion of the container to be gripped can be received between these gripping parts. The gripping apparatus may comprise a detachment mechanism for detaching the gripping parts from the carrier, wherein this detachment mechanism can be actuated manually and without the aid of a tool in order to detach the gripping parts from the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Krones AGInventors: Frank Winzinger, Bernhard Sternkopf, Thomas Hoellriegl
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Publication number: 20120286530Abstract: The manual lifting device has a first and second arms, pivotally connected to each other, each having a downward projection from a distal end thereof, extending generally vertically when in use. A handle is mounted on one of the arms, extending generally over the center of gravity of the device. Positioning the device so that the downward projections loosely contact edges of an object to be lifted, and then lifting the handle, causes the arms to pivot downwardly relative to each other, thereby causing the downward projections to rotate inwardly to grasp the object. Alternatively, there is a central handle, and the two arms pivot downwardly from opposite ends of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: Maxtech Consumer Products LimitedInventors: John B.M. Martin, Ashwani Kapur, Kailash C. Vasudeva
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Patent number: 8297673Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLCInventors: Conrad Earl Waldorf, Anthony Jenkins, James R. Kalb
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Patent number: 8215687Abstract: A remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular is provided. The single joint elevator including a housing having an access opening configured to receive the tubular. The single joint elevator further including at least one closure member connected to the housing via a hinge pin. Additionally, the single joint elevator including a power assembly configured to rotate at least one closure member around the hinge pin to selectively open and close the access opening. In another aspect, a method of handling a tubular using a remotely operated joint elevator is provided. In yet a further aspect, a remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Bernd-Georg Pietras, Kevin Wood, Karsten Heidecke, John D. Hooker, II, Martin Helms, Martin Liess
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Patent number: 8206144Abstract: A preform transfer device includes at least one clamp including two levers pivoting between an open position and a closed position and elements for the elastic return of the levers to the closed position. The device includes a mechanism for selectively controlling the opening and closing of the clamp, this mechanism including: a lever spreading member driven by a link including at least one free end able to interact with actuating elements to cause the clamp to open against the force of the elastic return elements, and associated locking elements that are able to move between a locked position in which the clamp is held in the open position and a retracted position in which the clamp is free to close, the locking elements being able to interact with second actuating elements designed to cause the locking element to move from the locked position to the retracted position, to trigger the closure of the clamp.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Sidel ParticipationsInventors: Kheng Joo Ng, Philippe Freire Diaz
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Patent number: 8191948Abstract: A gripper for manipulating containers includes a support on which a cam mechanism is pivotally mounted. The gripper has a first jaw operated by the cam mechanism and a second jaw controlled by the first jaw. The first jaw has an actuator which interacts with a receiving mechanism on the second jaw for opening or closing the gripper. The actuator is pivotally associated with the first jaw so that, when force is applied by the receiving mechanism due to rotation of the second jaw relative to the first jaw, the actuator can rotate relative to the first jaw to allow the gripper to open.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Sidel Holdings & Technology S.A.Inventors: Fabrizio Preti, Massimiliano Barbieri
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Patent number: 8128142Abstract: A clamp for holding containers, having two rigid gripping arms that are pivotably supported about at least one axis in opposite direction and have clamp structures at one end, a force accumulator which is operative between the gripping arms, gripping-arm closing levers as extensions of the gripping arms towards the other axis side, a closing cam which is rotatable between the closing levers, with at least one closing lever being actuatable by the closing cam via an elastic deformation area, the deformation area is a section of an arm which acts on the closing cam and which is constructionally separated from the gripping arm and which is positively coupled with the gripping arm for joint pivotable movement, and a defined deformation space is provided at least in a substantially undeformed state of the section between a stop on the closing lever and the section.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Reiner Glotzl
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Publication number: 20120049553Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: NORGREN AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Conrad Earl Waldorf, Anthony Jenkins, James R. Kalb
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Patent number: 8070202Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Syron Engineering & Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Conrad Earl Waldorf, Anthony Jenkins, James R. Kalb
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Patent number: 7992910Abstract: A robot structure, suited especially for minimally invasive surgery, comprises two robot elements interconnected by a hinge. Using a force transmission the movable robot element of said robot structure, notably comprising two gripping elements, can be moved. A sensor element is provided for picking up forces occurring. To reduce the influence of motional forces, said force transmission is connected with a base element of said sensor element such that motional forces transmitted by said force transmission element are supported at the base element.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt eVInventors: Ulrich Seibold, Ulrich Alexander Hagn, Matthias Sturm
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Publication number: 20110062734Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator operative for moving the at least one gripper jaw. A support is fixed relative to the actuator for supporting the at least one gripper jaw, wherein the support has at least one mount location formed in the support. A stop member is removably affixable to the support at the at least one mount location for limiting movement of the at least one gripper jaw wherein the size of the stop member corresponds to a discrete maximum degree of opening of the at least one gripper jaw.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: SYRON ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: ANTHONY JENKINS, MICHAEL A. FILIPIAK, CONRAD EARL WALDORF
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Publication number: 20110018292Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: SYRON ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: Conrad Earl Waldorf, Anthony Jenkins, James R. Kalb
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Patent number: 7854456Abstract: A gripper assembly has an extended position and a retracted position. The gripper assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw that are each coupled for movement of a range of motion. The range of motion of each of the first jaw and the second jaw is independently adjustable from the range of motion of the other of the first jaw and the second jaw.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Syron Engineering and Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Conrad Earl Waldorf, James R. Kalb
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Patent number: 7845698Abstract: A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator operative for moving the at least one gripper jaw. A support is fixed relative to the actuator for supporting the at least one gripper jaw. A stop member is removably affixable between the at least one gripper jaw and the support for limiting movement of the at least one gripper jaw.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Syron Engineering & Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Anthony Jenkins, Michael A. Filipiak, Conrad Earl Waldorf
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Patent number: 7837247Abstract: A gripper assembly includes at least one gripper jaw and an actuator head linked with the at least one gripper jaw. An actuator selectively operates to move the actuator head between a plurality of positions. A support is fixed relative to the actuator and includes a guide slot that guides the actuator head. One of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a channel and the other of the actuator head or the guide slot includes a guide member extending there from at least partially into the channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Syron Engineering & Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Conrad Earl Waldorf, Anthony Jenkins, James R. Kalb
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Publication number: 20100289287Abstract: A gripper for manipulating containers includes a support on which a cam mechanism is pivotally mounted. The gripper has a first jaw operated by the cam mechanism and a second jaw controlled by the first jaw. The first jaw has an actuator which interacts with a receiving mechanism on the second jaw for opening or closing the gripper. The actuator is pivotally associated with the first jaw so that, when force is applied by the receiving mechanism due to rotation of the second jaw relative to the first jaw, the actuator can rotate relative to the first jaw to allow the gripper to open.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: SIDEL HOLDINGS & TECHNOLOGY S.A.Inventors: Fabrizio Preti, Massimiliano Barbieri