Miscellaneous Compound Implement Patents (Class 294/2)
  • Patent number: 11649848
    Abstract: A suction cup can include a body and a skirt connected to a periphery of the body. The body can include an engagement surface with an aperture. A friction material can be positioned on the engagement surface for engagement with a container. A channel can extend along the engagement surface between the aperture and a periphery of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Scott Kalm, Bob Samac, Tait Stephen Carroll
  • Patent number: 11623350
    Abstract: A gripping device includes: a gripping portion configured to be displaced between a closed position in which a workpiece is grasped and an open position in which the workpiece is released; a holding portion configured to hold the gripping portion; a shaft portion that extends from the holding portion; a support portion configured to support the shaft portion such that the gripping portion faces the workpiece; a driving unit configured to displace the gripping portion between the closed position and the open position; and a moving mechanism configured to move the support portion in an axial direction of the shaft portion, in which the support portion is configured to support the shaft portion such that when a load acts on the shaft portion in the axial direction, the shaft portion is slidable relative to the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Machida
  • Patent number: 11318623
    Abstract: An end effector system is disclosed for a robotic system that includes a primary acquisition system that includes a primary end effector, and a secondary retention system that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the primary acquisition system, wherein at least a portion of the primary acquisition system may be drawn up within at least a portion of the secondary retention system such that the primary end effector system may be used to select an object from a plurality of objects, and the secondary retention system may be used to secure the object for rapid transport to an output destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Thomas Koletschka, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 11212920
    Abstract: A pressing member includes a base, a first pressing portion, and a second pressing portion. The first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are arranged on a same surface of the base. The base is provided with a first hole. The first pressing portion includes a first contact surface facing away from the base. The first contact surface defines a second hole extending toward the base and communicating with the first hole to cooperatively define a channel. The second pressing portion includes a second contact surface facing away from the base. The second contact surface and the first contact surface are arranged on a same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Yu He, Yan-Xin Feng, Peng-Cheng Niu
  • Patent number: 10946532
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gripping tool includes a gripper and a suction pad. The gripper is flexible. A granular material is provided in an interior of the gripper. The suction pad includes a pad portion and a pipe-shaped member and is surrounded with the gripper. The pad portion suctions a workpiece. The pipe-shaped member is connected to the pad portion. The suction pad is movable with respect to the gripper in a first direction. The first direction is from the pad portion toward the pipe-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Emiko Ishida, Hiromasa Takahashi, Takeshi Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 10828072
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a first surface defining a first implant cavity and a second surface defining a second implant cavity. The second surface is engageable with an implant and includes a pivot. In some embodiments, spinal constructs, implants, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: Dustin Bobbitt
  • Patent number: 10566134
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning magnetic components may include a base. The base may include an upper surface. The base may include a lower surface. The base may include a contact surface. The base may include a vacuum line in communication with the upper surface and the contact surface. The base may include a first pin. The base may include a second pin. The first pin and the second pin may be positioned adjacent the contact surface. The first pin and the second pin may protrude from the lower surface of the base. The base may be configured to generate a vacuum at the contact surface when a vacuum is applied to the vacuum line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Saltas, Amanuel M Abebaw
  • Patent number: 10315861
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pick-and-place apparatus for display panels and a pick-and-place method thereof. The pick-and-place apparatus for display panels comprises: an air injection unit for injecting air; and a supporting unit for extending under the display panel to support the display panel, which has a top side for supporting the display panel and an inserting side for firstly extending under the display panel, and comprises a plurality of first openings disposed at the inserting side and being communicated with the air injection unit, and a plurality of second openings disposed at the top side and being communicated with the air injection unit. With the pick-and-place apparatus for display panels of the invention, the problem of damages on display panels in the prior technology of picking and placing display panels would be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 10059007
    Abstract: Apparatuses including gripping mechanisms including extendable fingers and methods of manipulating items using the gripping mechanisms are described herein. An example apparatus may include a frame, a pair of carriages coupled to the frame and moveable by one or more drive units, a pair of fingers, and a set of linkages connecting the pair of fingers with the pair of carriages. The one or more drive units are operable to cause the fingers to move towards each other and to move away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James O'Connor, Jude Royston Jonas, Felipe De Arruda Camargo Polido
  • Patent number: 9955680
    Abstract: An ice fishing tool takes the form of an articulating scoop or ladle for scooping out fish, ice, or debris configured as an ice fishing tool. The tool comprises a handle, a perforated scoop, and a shaft connecting the handle to the scoop. The tool also comprises an articulating actuating assembly made up of a spring and one or more pivotally-connected links that couple a handle trigger to the scoop. Actions of squeezing the handle trigger toward the handle and releasing the handle trigger cause the scoop to move between a position approximately parallel to the shaft and a position approximately perpendicular to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Gary A. Powell
  • Patent number: 9604347
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a filament tape utilization device is disclosed, which includes a handle with a first and second surface, where the first surface has treads for assisting a user in releasing the cutting filament from the main web of filament tape. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of using the filament tape utilization device is disclosed, which includes securing a portion of the filament tape to a surface and leaving a free end of the filament tape not secured to the surface, securing part of the free end of the filament tape on the filament tape utilization device, and applying a force to the free end of the filament tape in a direction away from the filament tape utilization device so as to disengage the cutting filament from the main web of the filament tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Calman, Kathryn S. Calman
  • Patent number: 9601361
    Abstract: A fixture for conveying a mask plate comprising: a conveying bracket; and a fixation structure that is arranged on the conveying bracket and configured to fix the mask plate to be conveyed. The fixture has the following advantageous effects: it is able to prevent the hands from being in direct contact with the mask plate, thereby reducing the risk of conveyance damage of the mask plate which improves the operation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanqiu Li, Chongxi Wei, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 9480985
    Abstract: Washing efficacy test apparatus (2) is provided which includes a holder (4) and a test soil device (6) for location with said holder (4). The test soil device (6) is in the form of sheet material with a test soil substance (34) provided thereon. The holder in one example includes two members (8, 10) between which the test soil device (6) is detachably attached so that the device (6) can be easily removed for inspection and maintained in a required orientation in the washing apparatus (2) in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ALBERT BROWNE LTD.
    Inventor: Richard Bancroft
  • Patent number: 9272424
    Abstract: A gripper (1) for a contact lens comprises a gripper head (2) having a bearing surface (21) for the contact lens (L) to adhere thereto. The gripper (1) further comprises an ejector (23) for mechanically displacing the contact lens, at least partially, away from the bearing surface (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Roger Biel
  • Patent number: 9254573
    Abstract: A feeding mechanism includes a supporting bracket; assembled to the supporting bracket; and a handling assembly. The handling assembly includes a pair of first handling subassemblies and a pair of first handling subassemblies. Each first handling subassembly includes a first guiding rod, a first elastic member, and a first handling member. The first guiding rod is slidably mounted on the supporting bracket, the first handling member is connected to the first guiding rod and the second guiding rod, the first elastic member is resisted between the first handling member and the supporting bracket. The second handling subassembly has a structure same as the first handling subassembly except that the guiding rod of the second handling subassembly has a length greater than that of the first guiding rod. The driving assembly is configured for driving the first handling member and the second handling member toward the supporting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9227325
    Abstract: A suction device includes a baseplate, a mounting board, and at least one suction assembly. The mounting board is spaced from the baseplate. The at least one suction assembly includes two bearings and a pole. The two bearings are secured on the baseplate and the mounting board, respectively. The pole is a hollow structure and passes through the two bearings. A suction head and a connection assembly are coupled to two opposite ends of the pole. The connection assembly connects to a vacuum pump to generate a vacuum in the suction head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Ze Chen, Zhi-Jin Ma, Bing Yu, Jian-Ping Jin
  • Patent number: 9205535
    Abstract: A vacuum device includes a vacuum generator, a guiding pipe, a connection member, and a stand. One end of the guiding pipe is connected to the vacuum generator. One end of the connection member is connected to the other end of the guiding pipe. The other end of the connection member is connected to the stand. The stand includes a top surface, a first sidewall connected to the top surface, and a pressing portion extending outward from the first sidewall. The connection member is supported by the top surface. The stand defines a first hole and a second hole communicating with the first hole. The first hole runs through the top surface and meets the connection member and the guiding pipe. The second hole runs through the first sidewall and the pressing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Chu
  • Patent number: 8899647
    Abstract: A robot hand moved by a robot to grip an object to be gripped includes a plurality of bar-like placing sections on which the object to be gripped is placed, a plurality of plate-like pressing sections paired with the plurality of placing sections and configured to press side surfaces of the object to be gripped, a space adjusting section configured to move the plurality of pressing sections to bring the pressing sections into contact with a plurality of contact sections, a first strain gauge configured to detect a distance between the placing section and the pressing section and an angle of the pressing section with respect to the placing section, and a second strain gauge configured to detect a distance between the placing section and the pressing section and an angle of the pressing section with respect to the placing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8894113
    Abstract: A robot hand is provided. The robot hand includes a plurality of holding parts provided to be holdable of a plurality of workpieces, respectively, and a pneumatic drive for protruding one of the holding parts, when the holding part holds one of the workpieces, toward the workpiece with respect to one or more remaining holding parts by pneumatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Harada, Kenichi Motonaga, Keigo Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8851541
    Abstract: A system is provided in which a robot may be used having a robotic arm with a camera and gripper assembly, that enables the use of tools while also allowing use of a gripper assembly located at the end of the robotic arm. Mounting rails may be secured to the gripper assembly to provide a system that is easily adaptable to allow the relatively fast exchange of different tools. Tools may be secured to the mounting rails to allow for both the use of the tools and the existing gripper assembly on the robotic arm. The accessories may be configured to allow enhanced viewing of the accessory through a camera mounted to the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Stratom, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher M. White
  • Patent number: 8833818
    Abstract: A handy compact multifunctional tool used primarily by tree stand hunters, to help make every day hunting from an elevated position more enjoyable as well as to help get you out of the inevitable pinches that hunting throws your way. Having a series of rotatable grapples used for various purposes, including: retrieval of dropped or left behind items, grappling of tree limbs to be removed from the hunter's line of sight, a place to hang weapons or accessories while not in use. A handy dry storage compartment for storage of whatever the user sees fit is conveniently located in side of unit. Magnets are located on the sides and bottom for retrieval of dropped magnetically retrievable items. The grapples are attached to a shank or main body that will later be described which is attached to a rope used for lowering tool and retrieving items etc. When not in use the main body is designed to accommodate the winding and unwinding of attached rope which doubles as a tree stand hunters hoist rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Samuel Lee Simpson
  • Patent number: 8827335
    Abstract: A magnetic medical pick up device having a top piece and a bottom piece which removeably engage one another with a cavity positioned between the top and bottom piece. At least one magnetic piece is positioned within the cavity and a handle is connected to the top exterior portion of top piece for handling the magnetic medical pick up device. In use, the top piece and bottom piece are separated from one another, and the top piece is positioned over a contaminated medical device. In this position the magnetic attraction of the magnet pulls the contaminated medical device within the cavity and the bottom piece is engaged with the top piece thereby quarantining the contaminated medical device. As at least a portion of the top piece and/or bottom piece are transparent, the contaminated medical device can be inventoried at the end of the procedure while remaining quarantined within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: James Tortelli, Michelle A. Tortelli
  • Patent number: 8770640
    Abstract: A robot hand having a suction holding unit on one face side holds a plate-shaped work by suction. An outer circumferential edge of the plate-shaped work is held, without contact with a surface of the plate-shaped work, by an outer circumference holding unit provided on the other face side. The robot hand can be used to hold the plate-shaped work yet to be worked by the suction holding unit, and to hold the plate-shaped work having been worked by the outer circumference holding unit. This prevents working debris from being deposited on the plate-shaped work yet to be worked and prevents defective working from occurring. In addition, since the plate-shaped work having been worked is held by the outer circumference holding unit, the robot hand does not make contact with surfaces of the worked plate-shaped work, and, accordingly, no contact marks are formed on the surfaces of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutomo Kimura
  • Patent number: 8757691
    Abstract: A hand includes: a pair of supporters; first and second gripping claws which are supported inside of the pair of supporters, respectively, so as to grip a bolt; an oscillating mechanism which oscillates the first and second gripping claws on an oscillatory axis crossing a longitudinal direction of each of the supporters, so as to change the orientation of a tip of each of the first and second gripping claws; and a bolt rotating mechanism for rotating, on the axis of the bolt, the bolt gripped by the first and second gripping claws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kubota, Yoichiro Dan, Jun Tijiwa
  • Patent number: 8651539
    Abstract: An integrated grip arm for transfer reticles and carrier boxes is disclosed for improving throughput, yield and reliability of transport equipment. The integrated grip arm comprises a plurality of grippers to accommodate a plurality of reticles and carrier boxes without the need of separate arm or gripper changes. The integrated grip arm can further comprise sensor or means to select the right gripper for the right reticles or carrier boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Dynamic Micro System, Semiconductor Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Patent number: 8628131
    Abstract: A gripper system for improving the picking up of a product, in particular of an elastic article. The gripper system having a gripper, wherein the gripper comprises an endless transport belt and a lever system. The lever system includes a rotatably supported lever, a support and an entrainer configured to entrain the transport belt, wherein the lever is connected to the support such that, in response to a linear movement of the support, the lever will be rotated about a center of rotation. The lever is additionally connected to the entrainer such that the transport belt moves in response to the rotational movement of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Lang
  • Patent number: 8550511
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for extracting and properly disposing of refuse such as, for example, excrement. The apparatus includes a storage chamber for storing extracted refuse wherein the storage chamber is distinct from the extraction mechanism for extracting the refuse. The apparatus further includes a pumping mechanism for pumping fluid from a fluid source through a fluid conduit and into the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Bryan T. Baars
  • Patent number: 8544908
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pick-and-place device for use with a processing apparatus is provided. The electromagnetic pick-and-place device essentially includes a fixing base, a fixing axle penetratingly disposed at the fixing base, and an electric magnet disposed at the fixing axle, which move together in operation so as to be positioned right above a workpiece. Then, the workpiece is gripped by suction with electromagnetic pick-and-place device under a magnetic force generated from the electric magnet. Afterward, the electromagnetic pick-and-place device and the workpiece move together to a processing position. Eventually, the magnetic force of the electric magnet is disabled in order to free the workpiece; at this point in time, the processing apparatus can start processing the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Max See Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ton-Shih Lai
  • Patent number: 8414042
    Abstract: A package moving system has a jaw device movable between an open and a closed position. The jaw has a pair of opposite support structures that each support at least one support arm. The at least one support arm moves between a first and second position. In the first position, it receives a package. In the second, it supports the package. At least one retaining member is biased downward to engage the package when the jaws are in a closed position. The retaining element urges against an upper surface of the supported package to retain the package in the support arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Landes, Willie Mocabee
  • Patent number: 8403387
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus includes a palm and a plurality of fingers having joints to grip a tool with the palm and the plurality of fingers. A palm side contact surface is provided on the palm and brought into contact with a tool side contact surface of the tool, and holes are provided in the palm side contact surface into which projections provided on the tool side contact surface of the tool can be inserted. Engagement of the projections in the holes determines a position of the tool in a tangential direction of the palm side contact surface and a position of the tool in a rotational direction around a normal line of the palm side contact surface which is a rotary shaft center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Nakasugi, Yoshiyuki Miyazaki, Akiyoshi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 8403388
    Abstract: A hybrid nozzle that includes the use of both vacuum and mechanical gripping of components in a hybrid arrangement. It can easily be scaled down to the smallest foreseeable size of common components. The hybrid nozzle is made from commonly available material using a precision micro-machining process. There are no linkages or moving pistons to complicate the assembly and introduce tolerance buildup and wear concerns. The objective of this invention is to increase both throughput and yield in pick and place assembly operations at automated factories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Wendt, Charles Gutentag
  • Patent number: 8393254
    Abstract: A gripping device comprising a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm. The arms form a gripping area. A linkage mechanism is used for adjusting the inwardly and outwardly movement of the gripping area, with the linkage mechanism pivotally connected to the first arm and second arm. The linkage mechanism is formed of a first linkage laterally and pivotally connected to a second linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bradshaw Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Hua Gao
  • Patent number: 8376428
    Abstract: An integrated grip arm comprises a plurality of grippers to accommodate a plurality of reticles and carrier boxes without the need of separate arm or gripper changes. The integrated grip arm can comprise an edge gripper for gripping a reticle or a carrier box at the edges, and a fork gripper for gripping a reticle or a carrier box at a top and a bottom portions. The integrated grip arm can comprise an edge gripper for gripping a wafer from the edges and an end effector for holding a wafer from the bottom. The integrated grip arm can comprise a vertical gripper for gripping a workpiece from a vertical position and a horizontal gripper for gripping a workpiece from a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Dynamic Micro System Semiconductor Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Patent number: 8365389
    Abstract: A multifunctional tool which enables a single robot or other manipulator to perform each of the operations to depalletize a palletized load is disclosed. The depalletization can proceed without the need to move the palletized load from one station to another. The multifunctional tool includes a strap cutting mechanism, extendable vacuum arms, and a fork lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Visy R & D Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Neil Taylor
  • Patent number: 8328252
    Abstract: A grip assembly, particularly for suitcases and trunks, constituted substantially by two mutually articulated half-shells which are adapted to form an internal containment compartment. The grip assembly comprises at least one grip hand which can be actuated on command, according to predefined paths, for the removable gripping and transport of selectively one among a plurality of containment trays for the half-shells. The gripping occurs at a perimetric portion having a predefined shape that is common to all of the trays. Each tray comprises at least one seat having variable dimensions at its central portion for accommodating half-shells of various formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: G.T. Line S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Tonelli
  • Patent number: 8317241
    Abstract: A harsh environment robot end effector includes an end effector frame connectable to a material handling robot, one or more pickup arms rotatingly coupled to the frame, and pickup arm airbag actuator air bags for opening and closing the pickup arms. One or more positioning palms may be provided, which are rotatingly coupled to the end effector frame and provided with actuator air bags for opening and closing. One or more adjustable pushdowns having airbags attached to their heads are provided to grip a load between the pushdown and pickup arm. A mechanical synchronizer may be provided to couple the pickup arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Dean Ehnes, Theodore Vanderheyden, Travis White, Jason Brewer, Bill Polly
  • Patent number: 8267386
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated area vacuum gripper for gripping and, if necessary, separating workpieces is provided by the present disclosure. In particular, the vacuum gripper is used with thin, flexible workpieces, and has a suction chamber, which has a suction wall with perforations, to be placed on the workpiece. An ejector nozzle has a connection and an outlet, the ejection nozzle being connected to the suction chamber via its connection, and the outlet of the ejector nozzle opening to the outside or into an exhaust air duct, and the suction inlet of the ejector nozzle empties into the suction chamber, whereby the direction of the air stream in the connection coming from the suction chamber corresponds to the direction of the main air conveyance in the ejector nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Schaaf, Thomas Eisele, Rolf Guenther, Tobias Stahl
  • Patent number: 8262144
    Abstract: A hand tool includes a main body, a pair of arms connected to the main body, first tips connected to the arms and configured to grasp an object, and second tips connected to the arms and configured to grasp an object. The first tips are connected to the second tips. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a hand tool including a main body, a pair of arms connected to the main body, and a scoop portion at one end of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dimensions Crafts LLC
    Inventors: Won Bien Lee, Ross Exley
  • Patent number: 8251415
    Abstract: An air retriever, such as a bellows (24) is used in an end effector (18) for lifting work products (22) in prearranged configurations, and delivery to a container (20) in a predetermined pattern. An air flow control valve (50) is positioned in each bellows (24) for individually controlling the flow of air through each bellows so that the bellows in a pick zone may draw air for picking up work products while air flow is not applied to the other bellows out of the pick zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: AMF Automation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roland Lomerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8235436
    Abstract: A bundle gripper for a palletizing machine for picking up respectively at least one bundle and depositing the bundle on a pallet. The bundle gripper including a frame, an adjustable end stop, and at least one gripper finger such that the gripper finger has a front end and is adjustable on the frame. The gripper finger being movable between a first position and a second position. The bundle gripper also including a hold-down clamp coupled to the frame and positioned against the end stop for clamping the bundle against the gripper finger such that a distance between the end stop and the front end of the gripper finger in the second position is changeable to adapt to different lengths of the bundles. The end stop and the gripper finger are each movable to change the distance and the hold-down clamp is correspondingly adjustable to accommodate different lengths of the bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Marc Ryf
  • Patent number: 8172292
    Abstract: An end of arm tool for packing article bearing trays in boxes includes a pair of spaced apart clamping end members and a pair of cylinder assemblies each including a powered cylinder for causing the end members to move from an extended position to a semi-retracted position for picking up trays and then moving to a fully retracted position to cause the tray to bend for placing the tray in a box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: SACMI USA, Ltd.
    Inventor: Allan Andersen
  • Patent number: 8132835
    Abstract: A workpiece gripping device includes a primary catching mechanism having a suction pad adapted to hold a workpiece by suction power and a rod-like part having the suction pad mounted on one end thereof, gripping pawls sandwiching and gripping the workpiece, a drive unit for supplying a drive power, and a transmission mechanism transmitting the drive power of the drive unit to the gripping pawls. The transmission mechanism moves the gripping pawls along an axis of the rod-like part between a gripping position where the gripping pawls are projected beyond the suction pad and a retreated position where the gripping pawls are retreated from the suction pad toward the base plate. The gripping pawls are moved to the gripping position along the axis of the rod-like part while shortening the distance between the gripping pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Kazunori Ban, Fumikazu Warashina, Shouta Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8112875
    Abstract: A vacuum suction nozzle operable to reduce or eliminate electronic component blow off and electrostatic damage is disclosed. The vacuum suction nozzle comprises a ceramic body with a first surface at a side opposite to a second surface of the ceramic body. The ceramic body causes static electricity generated on the vacuum suction nozzle to be dissipated to an electronic component mounting device. Dissipation of the static electricity reduces or eliminates electrostatic damage to the electronic component and electrostatic repulsion induced blow off during suction by the vacuum suction nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hamashima
  • Patent number: 8070200
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a suction device and two positioning members. The suction device comprises a suction body and a suction nozzle. The suction body is in communication with the suction nozzle and is configured for providing a pressure below atmospheric pressure to make the suction nozzle picking up the optical element. The two positioning members movably mounted on two opposite sides of the suction body and are configured for moving towards each other to move the optical element picked up by the suction nozzle to a predetermined fixed position relative to the suction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Tsan Shen
  • Publication number: 20110293397
    Abstract: End of arm tool (10) is used to load goods A and B in two layers in a packing container (8), with a packing insert positioned between the layers. The tool (10) also grasps a packing insert in the form of a flat sheet, bends the ends of the packing sheet downwardly to form an inverted U shape, and then inserts the packing insert in a straddling relationship about the lower layer of goods A, to protect the lower layer of goods from the weight applied by the upper layer of goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Roland Lomerson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110278869
    Abstract: A hand tool includes a main body, a pair of arms connected to the main body, first tips connected to the arms and configured to grasp an object, and second tips connected to the arms and configured to grasp an object. The first tips are connected to the second tips. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a hand tool including a main body, a pair of arms connected to the main body, and a scoop portion at one end of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: EK Success Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Bien Lee, Ross Exley
  • Patent number: 8025277
    Abstract: A configurable end-of-arm tool attachable to an articulable robotic arm is described. The end-of-arm tool comprises a rail element, a machine-adjustable swing arm, a machine-adjustable extendable shaft attached to the swing arm. A machine-adjustable rotator set is attached to the extendable shaft, and a workpiece interface tool is attached to the extendable shaft. The swing arm, the extendable shaft, and the rotator set are machine-adjustable to place the workpiece interface tool at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells, Bradley J. Walworth, Lance T. Ransom, Roland J. Menassa
  • Patent number: 8011706
    Abstract: There is provided a suction gripper. An exemplary suction gripper comprises at least one needle adapted to grip an object. Also provided is a method of gripping an object. An exemplary method of gripping an object comprises gripping the object with a suction gripper comprising at least one needle adapted to grip the object to a suction gripper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Kolja Schmidt, Wolfgang Echelmeyer, Hermann Franck
  • Patent number: 7971915
    Abstract: A nozzle unit includes a rotating body and a driving source. The rotating body includes a plurality of nozzles for holding a component using a negative pressure and rotates the plurality of nozzles. The driving source drives the rotating body in a non-contact state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 7963578
    Abstract: An integrated vacuum and magnetic gripper includes a rigid housing defining an internal chamber, and a flexible vacuum cup operatively connected thereto. A vacuum cavity is defined by the vacuum cup and a vacuum source is configured to reduce pressure in the vacuum cavity. A permanent magnet is disposed within the rigid housing, and a magnet release mechanism is configured to selectively render the magnet incapable of exerting sufficient force to hold the work piece. A pole plate may be interposed between the internal chamber and vacuum cavity, such that the pole plate forms a portion of the internal chamber and may act to provide friction on the work piece. A method of using the gripped includes operating at high acceleration while the vacuum gripper is monitored as fully operational and operating only at lower acceleration while the vacuum gripper is not fully operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James W. Wells, Lance T. Ransom