Abstract: A connecting member is connected to a working arm of a robot body, a first member is fixed to the connecting member and a second member is attached to the first member to move in one direction. A first cylinder is attached to the second member to rectify the motion of the first member to the second member and a base member is attached to the second member to move at a right angle to the motion of the first member. A second cylinder is attached to the base member for rectifying the motion of the second member to the base member. Supporting bars are attached to the base member and a plurality of suction pads are attached to the supporting bars.

Abstract: A robotic end effector adapted to be mounted at the end of an arm of a program-controlled robot is capable of providing compliance within a vertical plane. A method and system utilizing the end effector pick-up flat or curved glass panels from glass racks and place the glass panels into irregularly-shaped wooden crates. Due to the compliance provided by the end effector, the system allows essentially perfect piece-to-piece vertical edge-of-glass alignment during the packaging process so as to eliminate glass etching/scratching. The end effector includes a base frame on which compliance devices in the form of linear bearing systems support a number of material handling devices in the form of suction devices. Selected ones of the compliance devices can be locked out under the control of a controller for the robot. Each suction device includes a spring-biased suction cup to also provide compliance in a direction substantially normal to the compliance provided in the vertical plane.

Abstract: A valve for vacuum lifting systems has a flow passage with a load end, a vacuum end, orifices at each end, and an air impermeable float member within the passage. The valve is positioned in the air flow path between a vacuum lifting pad and a vacuum pump, with its vacuum end in the direction of the pump and its load end in the direction of the pad. Activation of the vacuum pump creates an initial air flow which causes the float member to move at a determinable rate from a rest position at the load end toward the vacuum end. If the load end of the valve is open, activation of the pump causes the float member to form a vacuum seal with the interior wall of the flow passage at the vacuum end orifice. If the lifting pad is in operative contact with a suitable load surface, the length of the valve flow passage is such that on activation of the pump a vacuum seal will be formed between the load and the lifting pad before the float member reaches the vacuum end orifice.

Abstract: A pick and plate apparatus for use in an automatic test handler picks up electronic devices from one type of tray, transfer the electronic devices in a horizontal plane to another type of tray, and places the electronic devices in a predetermined position on the other tray for testing and sorting. The pick and place apparatus includes a plurality of suction inlets for picking up the electronic devices from the tray with suction power caused by a vacuum, a guide frame for slidably mounting the plurality of suction inlets in a horizontal direction, a mechanism for providing up-and-down movement to the suction inlets for picking up the electronic devices from the one tray and placing the device in the other tray, and a mechanism for adjusting the spacing of the suction inlets to compensate for the differences in spacing between one tray and another tray.

Abstract: Carriers of a type, each with two elastically bendable holding pieces extending inwardly from its frame-like housing to hold a thin integrated circuit (IC) therebetween, are delivered to a specified pick-up location. A robotically operated pick-up module has a frame-like structure with windows, admits these carriers individually into these windows, and clamps them within these windows by means of an actuator-controlled clamping member. After they are brought to a transfer station having seats with openings connected to a negative pressure source, their holding pieces are pushed apart by activating another actuator within the module so as to move claw-like unlatching members. The ICs, which are then placed on the seats of the transfer station and released from their carriers, are picked up by vacuum suction pipes connected to vacuum pumps.

Abstract: Compliance apparatus, for gripping and transporting workpiece sheets such as appliance door blanks to be formed to and from a work station having precision locator sheet stop surfaces, is mounted on a carrier for travel in a generally horizontal path toward the work station. The compliance apparatus includes a plurality of generally horizontally spaced apart, workpiece-aligned suction grippers for collectively gripping the top surface of a workpiece sheet. Resilient mechanism connecting each of the grippers to the carrier provides for relative individual lateral movement of the sheet carrying grippers from neutral positions to positions displaced therefrom in any required direction, as dictated by the sheet engaging one of the locator sheet stop surfaces and being forced to a correctly aligned position in engagement with the other locator sheet stop surface as the carrier moves in its said path of travel.

Abstract: A apparatus for packing or unpacking containers, particularly bottles, into and from carrying crates, respectively, including a rotation element mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and having suspended therefrom, in the manner of gondolas and at locations spaced from its axis of rotation, a number of container pickup heads adapted to repeatedly travel through a closed loop path including a pickup position and a grip release position. Each container pickup head is connected to the rotation element by a suspension device permitting the pickup head to move relative to the rotation element in a substantially vertical plane, and a drive and control mechanism is provided for the movement of the pickup heads relative to the rotation element in a manner to generate the loop path in a desired configuration.

Abstract: The individual grippers of a gripper head provided for simultaneously introducing a number of bottles into a box or removing them from the box, where the bottles have neck diameters close to the diameter of the body of the bottle, have polygonal external cross sections with even numbers of sides so that the cylindrical sockets can lie close together. The sockets receive elastic inserts which are actuatable by pistons.

Abstract: The handling of cup-shaped containers (cups 10) for holding foods is difficult, as the cups (10) are delivered nested into one another in the form of a cup stack (14) in cartons. Hitherto, the cup stacks (14) formed by the cups (10) have been handled manually. A lifting and pivoting conveyor (25) with a gripper is used for an exclusively mechanical handling of the cups or cup stacks (14). The gripper (27) has holding mechanisms (31), each for engaging one cup stack (14). The holding mechanisms (31) of the gripper (27) are designed as suction chambers (32) with a lower suction opening (44) for engaging a cup stack (14) by negative pressure. In the region of the suction opening (44), sealing devices are attached to the suction chamber (32), especially an inner brush strip (48) and an outer rubber lip (50), which contact the critical contour of the cup stack (14) in a sealing manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching and bi-directionally tensioning a porous fabric over a flexible, rectangular form support. A frame comprises a pair of rigid, parallel frame members connected by a pair of parallel cross members. The ends of the frame members contain legs that contact the form support in each corner thereof. Suction cups located on the cross members allow the form support to be attached to the frame and pulled towards the frame such that the edges of the form support flex between adjacent legs. Once the form support has been flexed, the porous fabric is wrapped over and attached to the form support at the corners and along all sides. After the porous fabric is completely attached to the form support, the frame is removed so the form support can return to its flat unflexed, rectangular dimensions. The result is that the porous fabric is bi-directionally stretched over the form support such that a uniform tension of 50 to 300 kg/lineal meter is created.

Abstract: A suction lifting head for use in the lifting and transport of generally flat workpieces is designed to conform to its use with workpieces varying in size and produce activation of such suction ports therein as necessary to perform the lifting of the workpiece. The lifting head is constructed with a body having an outer suction port(s) at a surface of the body, a valve chamber(s) connected to the outer suction port and intervening an inner suction port which in turn is in communication with a vacuum main connection at a side of the body remote from the surface having the outer suction port(s). A valve disk with multiple holes for air flow is located inside the valve chamber. These holes are located in the valve disk to be positioned radially beyond the circumference of the outer suction port and such that circumferential portions of the valve disk will be supported on a stepped section in the valve chamber when a workpiece is lifted against the outer suction port.

Abstract: The device mounted at the end of an operating arm comprises one or more suckers for supporting objects, for example refractory bricks for the brick-lining of a metallurgical converter, means for linear and angular displacement of the suckers, sensors for monitoring and controlling automatically the means of displacement in order to grip and position the objects in a predetermined location, after immobilization of the operating arm. The suckers are provided on a sucker-carrying plate which in its turn is supported by a pair of blocks which can slide in transverse slide bars of a carriage which comprises a pair of longitudinal slide bars, perpendicular to the transverse slide bars and housed in sliding fashion in a central support attached to the end of the operating arm with a degree of angular freedom and a degree of linear freedom orthogonal to the axes of the longitudinal and transverse slide bars.

Abstract: Various forms of mounting devices for mounting workpiece gripper carrying spreader bars upon a boom of a transfer device are disclosed. The boom is formed within an undercut T slot which extends the length of the boom and slidably receives a retainer member. A base spans the slot and is clamped to the side of the boom by clamping screws threadably received in the retainer member so that the base and retainer can be fixedly clamped to the boom at any selected location longitudinally of the boom. A recessed clamp member cooperatively defines within a recess in the base the socket of a ball and socket joint. In one form of the device, the same clamping screws which clamp the base to the boom simultaneously clamp a spherical coupling member fixed to a spreader bar and received in the socket in a selected fixed angularly adjusted position between the clamp member and base.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for conveying layers comprising a multitude of individual objects, in particular glasses, cans, etc., preferably for loading and unloading pallets, a suction head being provided for picking up a layer of individual objects, which suction head has a plurality of suction holes. On the one hand, said suction holes face the top side of the objects and, on the other hand, are connected to a source of negative pressure. To avoid a breakdown of the negative pressure as a result of suction holes not being allocated over individual objects, a long flow duct is connected to each suction hole on the side facing away from the individual objects, which flow duct is coupled with the source of negative pressure or the suction chamber.

Abstract: A transfer boom adapted for suspension from a reciprocal shuttle carriage comprises a boom arm having a plurality of interior passages extending the length of the boom arm. These passages define air passages, thereby eliminating the need for exterior hoses. A T-shaped cavity is provided within the exterior walls of the boom arm. A boom mount, having Venturi cups or grippers is detachably mounted to the boom arm within the T-shaped cavity by a T-bolt. This enables the boom mount to be mounted anywhere along the length of the boom arm. The T-bolt provides for easy removability of the boom mount from the boom arm.

Abstract: An article holding apparatus includes a pair of sliding plates selectively movable toward or away from each other while being maintained parallel to each other. A distance between the sliding plates is adjustable. Suction pads are provided on inner surfaces of the sliding plates respectively. The suction pads may include first suction pads for holding a large article and second suction pads for holding a small article. Sensor elements may be mounted on the plates to sense whether a large or a small article is present to be handled thereby.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for transferring eggs from a pile of egg trays to an egg depositing position on a supply conveyor of an egg processing machine comprises at least three units which each comprise lifting and retaining heads for lifting all eggs from an egg tray and transferring the eggs to the depositing position and releasable grapplers for transportng the egg trays. The units move in a closed path between a first operational position where a pole of egg trays is located, a second operational position where emptied egg trays are received and a third operational position where the egg depositing position is located. The units are vertically movable at each of these operational positions between an operational level and a conveyance level. The grappler releases retained egg trays at the second position of operation, whereas the units retain the eggs for transfer to the egg despositing position.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved mechanism for lifting and orienting or tilting objects about a definable pivot axis of rotation. The device is comprised of a quadrilateral frame with each frame member pivotally connected to the adjacent frame members, and wherein one frame member is adapted to be externally supported and to allow the frame to be pivoted about a first generally horizontal axis of rotation, and the opposite side frame member is adapted to support an object, and including a handle for altering the angular relationship of the frame members to thereby pivot or tilt the object about the a second axis of rotation passing through the center of gravity of the object and parallel to the first axis of rotation, and further including mechanism to counterbalance the weight of the frame.

Abstract: The lifting and transportation of sensitive articles incapable of bearing a mechanical load, without manual involvement, presents special difficulties in packaging technology. This applies, above all, to tray packs in which articles are arranged standing on a bottom part (11) of small height, without any additional anchoring. For grasping and lifting articles of this type, there is provided a raisable and lowerable suction box (15) which, with suitable dimensions, is placed over the article in the manner of a bell. By the generation of a vacuum within the suction box (15), the article (tray pack 10) is held carefully and can be lifted by means of the suction box (15). Side walls (22) of the suction box (15) are arranged pivotably, to make it easier to place the suction box (15) onto the article.

Abstract: A gripping head for loading packages into a crate is disclosed having a number of support members attached to a frame. The support members each have a predetermined number of pneumatically operated suction cups for gripping packages that are intended for loading into a crate. Two of the support members are capable of pivoting movement on the frame in response to vertical movement of a center support member so as to allow the gripping head to deposit the packages into the crate in a manner that is economical and that allows efficient use of the crate space.

Abstract: A positioning device (10) is disclosed for catching a hot glass sheet (12) without relative motion between the glass sheet (12) and positioning device (10) as it arrives at a topside support device (14) in a glass sheet heating furnace (18). The positioning device (10) includes a first actuator (30) for actuating longitudinal movement of the glass sheet (12) and a second actuator (32) for actuating transverse movement of the glass sheet (12) for decelerating, and positioning the glass sheet (12) during deceleration, to an accurate stationary position relative to the topside support device (14).

Abstract: A bottle handling device comprising a tool for grasping the sides of the bottles, the tool being tiltably mounted to one end of a flexible cord and the other end of the cord is coupled to a balancing device for balancing the grasping tool and developing a balancing force that is adjustable between two values depending on whether the tool is loaded or unloaded. The device also has a support table for supporting a plurality of bottles standing in a row, and a backing piece mounted along the table in order to accommodate the tilting of the bottles while the value of the balance force is changing.

Abstract: A hand-held soap-holder conveniently attached to a bar of soap to prevent the soap from being dropped when wet and slippery, and to provide significantly greater control and maneverability of the soap in normal, vigorous shower use and other bathing situations. The device is easily attached by pressing its base portion firmly onto a wet bar of soap. This action implants relatively small, underlying pegs into the soat and engages relatively small-diameter suction cups securely with the soap surface. A vertical stem portion is gripped comfortably between two adjacent fingers, and the device remains reliably stable during use in the shower, tub-bath, or at sink-side. The base portion includes an outwardly positioned, flexible support-flap, which adjusts to the original shapes and contours of a wide variety of common commercial soaps. The support-flap will continue to adjust to those soaps after they erode and shrink during use-life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the manipulation of at least one layer of porous fabric. Fluid flow through a portion of the porous fabric fluid-couples a layer or a plurality of layers of fabric to a movable flow locator having a plurality of flow openings defined therethrough. The operating parameters of the appratus may be adjusted such that many types of fiberglass cloth, woven or continuous strand mat may be sequentially manipulated by the apparatus to form a laminate structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for permitting adaptation of a suction pad (6) to the outer shape of products (1) to be lifted, whereby at least two brackets (13, 19) via links are pivotally connected to a carrying member (8), whereby at each bracket via links are pivotally arranged at least two supports (17, 18 and 23, 24) on which the suction pad is provided and whereby the supports are movable relative to each other. For the supports (17 and/or 23) to provide such a large degree of rotation that the suction pad (6) can adapt to products in the form of paper rolls (1) with substantially different diameters, one of the brackets (13, 19) is rotatably mounted on the carrying member (8) through a double link (11a, 11b) in order to permit a large degree of rotation between the bracket (13) and the carrying member (8) whereby one (17 and/or 23) of the supports (17, 18, 23, 24 ) is provided on each bracket (13 and/or 19) through a double link (15a, 15b and/or 21a, 21b).

Abstract: A suction lifting device for lifting and laying a layered plurality of individual slabs, bricks, stones and the like in unison to provide an exterior paved surface of a road, walk, roof or the like. A plurality of vacuum pucks are supported by the vacuum plenum of a frame through flexible tubular members which operably engage a similar number of slabs or bricks and move them in unison to a preselected and configured location. The frame is carried by a supporting means and a load-bearing member which can be mounted on a self-propelled apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a vacuum bar for picking up a full row of newly formed glass containers from a moving conveyor on which the containers are sitting and transferring the containers onto a moving lehr mat. The container engaging system is formed of a pair of heat resistant, air impervious curtains that are supported in opposing relationship and are mounted to be movable toward and away from each other by the introduction of a vacuum to the area therebetween, from above, while they are positioned on each side of the row of containers, to cause the curtains to engage and grip the entire row of containers. The bar is moved with the containers to a position above the lehr mat and released thereto when the vacuum is interrupted, the bar elevated to clear the curtains from the containers, retracted into position above the cross conveyor and next full row of containers forming thereon preparatory to being picked by the vacuum actuated bar and curtains.

Abstract: A robotic assembly apparatus includes a robot (2), a component supply station (6) and at least one placement station (7, 8). Components are correctly orientated by means of feeder bowls (11, 12) and are serially presented to the supply station along tracks (9 and 10). A multi-head tool (5) simultaneously picks up a plurality of correctly orientated components and places them in their correct positions in or on the workpiece. Before or during their travel to the workpiece, the plurality of components are placed in their correct positions relative to one another. Preferably two placement stations are used per robot so that one can be used for removing an assembled workpiece and supplying a new workpiece while the other is having components inserted. The multi-head tool (5) consists of individually-pneumatically-operable actuators (27) carrying individual-operable component grippers which may be mechanical, vacuum or electromagnetic.

Abstract: The process includes an initial phase in which pieces of fruit in a line are lifted by suction and the line of fruit is then transferred to the packing case with one piece of fruit situated in the central zone of the line being displaced angularly and the remainder of the fruit either side of this central piece being displaced towards the center of the line prior to the entry of the line of fruit into the case. After entry, the pieces of fruit resume their initial position and are deposited in the case and the suction is discontinued. The machinery includes a mechanism having a plurality of vacuum operated suction pads of which the central suction pad can be moved angularly and the remainder have the means to be displaced laterally.

Abstract: The invention comprises a high speed automated injection system for avian embryos which can inject eggs with fluid substances. The device includes suction devices which lift eggs out of engagement with surfaces, rather than pushing them, before injecting them. By providing separate mechanisms and devices for first forming an opening in the egg shell and then injecting the avian enbryo or the surrounding environment with a fluid substance, the device avoids the undesirable mechanical compromise of using a single needle or punch to both puncture the shell of an egg and deliver fluid substances to the interior of the egg.

Abstract: Suction head includes a vertically adjustable lifting suction device having a respective guiding element, and an axially displaceable, telescopically guided suction chamber arranged on the guiding element, the suction chamber having at least two suction nozzles disposed adjacent one another transversely to a direction in which sheets are conveyed, the suction nozzles being united into a double suction chamber so as to form a narrowly defined vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An automatic loading system includes an automatic loading apparatus for automatically loading, onto a pallet, a glass sheet product as it lies substantially horizontally and is delivered along a feed path to a terminal position of the feed path. The automatic loading apparatus has a suction mechanism for attracting the lower surface of the glass sheet product at the terminal position and for moving the glass sheet product to a loading position to load the glass sheet product onto the pallet. The automatic loading system also includes an apparatus for putting an interleaving sheet on an upper surface of the glass sheet product in the feed path. The interleaving sheet putting apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving an uppermost interleaving sheet of a stack of interleaving sheets over the glass sheet product, and a holder mechanism for holding the uppermost interleaving sheet against an upper surface of the glass sheet product.

Abstract: To permit gripping of tacky prepreg blanks with stepped surface in an apparatus for the transport of tacky prepreg blanks comprising a suction head, a suction head suspension, a suction pump and a drive generating the movement of the suction head in the vertical and horizontal direction, the suction head (1) comprises a plurality of individually sprung suction tubes (12).

Abstract: A total system and method for storage and delivery of heads of various sizes is disclosed. The system and method are particularly adapted for application of circular disc heads to the end of a paper roll during a roll wrapping operation. A plurality of vertically spaced storage racks are provided for handling different sized heads, and a head dispenser including a pickup mechanism for lifting an uppermost head from a storage rack and delivering it to a pickup platen is also provided. The storage racks are preferably inclined to allow gravity feed to indexing positions at the lower ends of each rack. The pickup platen operates independently of the pickup mechanism so that heads can be lifted from the storage rack while the platen is enroute to the pickup location.

Abstract: A pick-up device for automatic lifting and conveying apparatus has a plurality of pick-up members (5), preferably of the suction type, each of which is intended to take hold of a respective article in an array of rows arranged in at least one direction. The device includes a plurality of generally elongate and mutually parallel support members (4) which are intended to be oriented in the direction of the rows of articles in use. Each support member (4) carries an associated respective row of pick-up members (5) extending longitudinally of the member itself. A drive (9) enables the distance between adjacent support members (4) to be varied so as to allow them to be adapted selectively to the spacing between the rows of articles. More particularly, this distance may be varied while the device is transferring the articles supported by the pick-up members (5) to a package so as to adapt the separation between the rows of articles to the dimensions of the package itself.

Abstract: Apparatus for booking an elastomer such as a rubber sheet is disclosed. A conveyor has a series of driven rollers. A stop member is positioned to stop the movement of the elastomer by contacting the front end. The stop member may be fixed on a transfer or grasp member, typically a vacuum head which is employed to transfer the elastomer on to a flatcar.

Abstract: An article transfer apparatus for transferring and assembling a television receiver back cover from a conveyor to a receiver cabinet. The apparatus is robotically operated and includes a set of pneumatically operated suction cups which are aligned to displace along axes which intersect at a common point to avoid torquing and misorienting the cover during the transfer. Vacuum is applied to the cups to assist in gripping the cover and for sensing a misgripped status. A fail-safe system locks the grip on the cover in case of power failure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a boat, or similar vessel, having a hull section to be bonded to a deck section. Pairs of pivotal arms are located adjacent the hull and adapted to be rotated in a first direction towards each of the sides thereof. A plurality of vacuum assemblies, each assembly including a vacuum cup, are attached to the pivotal arms and movable therewith toward the sides of the hull. A vacuum line is connected in common with each of the vacuum cups by which to establish a vacuum for causing the cups to become firmly attached to opposite sides of the hull. When the pivotal arms are rotated in a second, opposite direction, the hull is correspondingly pulled into contact with a peripheral lip of the deck. A layer of glue is deposited around the peripheral lip of the deck, so that the deck and hull sections will be bonded together to form a complete hull.

Abstract: A suction device for taking-up, transporting, and depositing work pieces, ch as flat blanks of limp sheet material or panels, is equipped with a plurality of suction tubes. Each suction tube is individually connectable to a source of reduced pressure, whereby a pattern of effective suction tubes may be conformed to any particular configuration of a blank. The tubes are arranged in a housing, for example, in rows and columns. At least a portion of the housing is formed as a reduced pressure chamber. Each tube is individually connectable to the reduced pressure chamber to make the respective tube effective. Disconnection makes the tube ineffective. The connection of disconnection simultaneously moves the respective tube into a work position or into a rest position.

Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for lifting arrays of paving stones has a mobile arm one end of which carries a support for a polygonal assembly of suction cups having axially and angularly movable bellows which attract the paving stones of an array during transport. The support further carries directional jaws which are adjacent to the sides of the polygonal assembly of suction cups and are movable relative to the support to rearrange the paving stones of an array if the distribution of paving stones departs from an optimum distribution. The jaws are moved out of the way before the suction cups deposit the paving stones of an array so that a freshly deposited array can be placed into immediate or close proximity of the previously deposited array or arrays.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping workpieces using a vacuum includes a plurality of throat bores in a support block, each bore having a constricted portion of its length of a diameter such that the air flow permitted through all of the bores together is less than the pumping capacity of a vacuum pump that draws a vacuum through the bores. In a preferred embodiment, the constricted portions of the bores have a diameter of about 0.008 inches. A rubber pad affixed to the front face of the support block has pad bores therethrough corresponding to the locations of the throat bores, and also has suction cups on the front face of the pad, through which the vacuum is applied, to aid in gripping the workpiece. A vacuum manifold over the back face of the support block draws a vacuum through the bores, thereby gripping the workpiece.

Abstract: A vacuum-type pickup and transfer apparatus for irregularly surfaced, shaped and sized objects such as populated printed wiring boards (PWBs) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of downwardly directed vacuum conduits that have enlarged lips at their lower end. It also includes a thin, flexible, non-porous membrane which extends transversely and loosely between the conduits and through which the conduits extend so that their lower ends communicate with the region below the membrane. The pick-up apparatus is moved down to the PWBs and vacuum applied, so that the flexible membrane seals against the PWBs, adapting and conforming to any irregular surfaces, sizes and shapes. The apparatus includes a control for selectively regulating the movement of the pick-up apparatus and the application of the vacuum. The PWBs are accordingly moved to the desired location and the vacuum released to release the PWBs.

Abstract: A robot hand for grasping objects having substantially planar faces includes a base and a plurality of arms extending from the base. A plurality of vacuum cups are supported on and radially movable along the arms. Pivotal drive means pivot the arms, radial drive means move the cups along the arms, and vacuum means apply a vacuum to the cups. The cups are readily positioned to permit lifting and transporting of objects such as plies and the like, including those objects having irregular planar shapes.

Abstract: This all pneumatic vacuum gripper which utilizes a fluid amp sensor senses an object when the object comes in contact with vacuum cup. This activates the main venturi vacuum generator which provides the vacuum force necessary to `grip` the object to be lifted. An external release signal cuts the vacuum `off` to release the object. Vacuum power is generated only when lifting the object thus saving energy and also minimizing ambient noise. Sensitivity of pick-up level is also adjustable. The preferred embodiment of the all pneumatic vacuum gripper utilizes fluid logic sensing and processing, senses an object when the object comes in contact with the vacuum cup. This activates the main venturi vacuum generator which provides the vacuum force necessary to "grip" the object to be lifted. The fluid logic circuit automatically locks the vacuum in the suction cup while turning "off" the power supplied to the main venturi after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A positioning device for a hoisting bank with a plurality of horizontally adjustable gripper means, such as vacuum cups, for groupwise handling of cargo units, such as paper rolls. The hoisting bank is of a kind including one or more guiding arms adapted for contacting the cargo units in the group to be lifted enabling the crane operator to adjust, if necessary, the center distance between the gripper means relative to the center distance between the cargo units prior to that the gripper means are positioned on the cargo units. In accordance with the invention at least one of the guiding arms (24) is provided with sensors (40, 30, 32) adapted for upon contacting an adjacent cargo unit (20) or units (20,20) and in dependence upon the outer contour of the cargo unit in question, to effect automatic extension, respectively retraction of the center distance of the gripper means (12) in dependence upon the center distance between the cargo units (20) in the group.

Abstract: An end effector suitable for manipulating articles such as mail flats is disclosed. This end effector has parallel reciprocating arms having suction cups for gripping the article to be manipulated and mechanical grippers mounted on the arms outboard of the suction cups. These mechanical grippers may be actuated to provide a mechanical grip on a manipulated article in addition to the suction grip.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus suitable for conveying shaped blanks. This apparatus includes a pair of screw shafts extending in a direction of conveying the blank. Members for holding attracters threadably coupled to these screw shafts are movable along guide shafts. Respectively provided at the ends of the guide shafts on one side are connecting members. Screw shafts threadably coupled to these connecting members drives the attracter holding members to approach or separate from each other on a line connecting the two guide shafts. Pinions provided near the opposite ends of the guide shafts rotatably move on racks, whereby the attracter holding members are synchronously moved in parallel to each other.

Abstract: A vacuum lifting arrangement for flat workpieces, such as wooden boards, wooden beams and the like, includes a vertically and horizontally movable housing bounding a suction chamber having a downwardly open suction side. A valve insert is accommodated in the suction chamber and is preferably removably mounted on the housing. A closing plate is hingedly mounted on the housing for pivoting into an out of a closing position in which it sealingly covers the downwardly open suction side of the suction chamber and the valve insert. An elastic sealing element in the form of a foamed mat having suction apertures is mounted on the closing plate, and is operative for sealingly contacting the workpieces to be lifted.

Abstract: A workpiece lifting apparatus for carrying workpieces into and out of a die in a press machine. A work support portion of the lifting apparatus comprises vacuum cups which reduce impacts caused when the workpiece is set in and detached from the die so as to prevent deformations of the workpiece and to stabilize the setting position of the same.

Abstract: A positioning arrangement for use with a device having a fixed or movable crane arm includes a suction device for plate-shaped bodies which hangs from the free end of the crane arm, the suction device being provided with a tilting device. The tilting device is infinitely variable by a setting mechanism. In this way, the center of gravity of the suction device with the plate-shaped body attached by suction may be adjusted such that the plate-shaped body is kept vertically.