Abstract: A handling device includes a gripping member (2) and a support structure (16) that supports the gripping member. The gripping member (2) includes a flexible, substantially toroidal wall member (10) having an outer wall portion (10b) and an inner wall portion (10a) that defines an axial passageway (12) through the grip-ping member. A fluid fills the volume enclosed by the wall member The support structure (16) includes a drive mechanism (18, 20) that engages the wall member (10) and is constructed and arranged to provide relative axial movement between the inner and outer wall portions (10a, 10b).

Abstract: The operation method of nanotweezers including the steps of: confirming the position of a nanoscale material by way of imaging the surface of a specimen by a scanning type probe microscope; moving the nanotweezers to the position over the nanoscale material; descending the nanotweezers which are in an opened state and then closing the nanotweezers so as to hold the nanoscale material; raising the nanotweezers that hold the nanoscale material and then moving the nanotweezers to an objective position; and descending the nanotweezers that hold the nanoscale material and then opening the nanotweezers, thus releasing the nanoscale material on the objective position which is on the surface of the specimen and is where a nanoscale construction is constructed.

Abstract: The clamp has two interacting clamp elements (14) which can be moved relative to one another. These are intended for retaining a sheet-like article (70). The clamp (12) also has a holding-open element (20) which is intended for engaging between two parts (78, 78′) of the article and, when the clamp elements (14) are located in the closed position (18′), for keeping these parts (78, 78′) separate from one another and thus holding the article (70) open.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods used for handling semiconductor wafers or similar articles. In particular, the apparatus disclosed is capable of flexibly gripping items of various shapes and sizes in a manner that substantially reduces or eliminates the likelihood of damage thereto. The apparatus is particularly suited to being used as a robotic end effector for handling wafers using edge-gripping techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wafer clamping mechanism responsive to fluid pressure to retain wafers on a surface with minimal clamping force. The clamping mechanism houses simple operative elements within a housing proximate the wafer and can utilize existing fluid pressure sources to energize the clamping mechanism. In a first embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a piston and cylinder to urge a clamping arm against the wafer in response to fluid pressure. In a second embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a bellows arrangement for urging the clamping finger against the wafer in response to a fluid pressure source. In a third embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a bladder arrangement wherein a bladder is expanded using fluid pressure to urge the clamping arm against the wafer in response to a fluid pressure source.

Abstract: An edge-gripping wafer handling apparatus for holding and transporting wafers in a clean room environment is implemented by mounting gripping fingers on a paddle arm adapted to be controlled by a robot. At the free end of the paddle arm, a plurality of fixed fingers is mounted. Each of these fixed fingers includes a notch for gripping the edge of a wafer. A moving finger is mounted close to the fixed end of the paddle arm. The moving finger can be smoothly moved to engage the edge of the wafer and cause the opposite edge of the wafer to engage the fixed fingers. The movement of the moving finger is caused by a bellows flexing a hinge connected to the finger. The flexing hinge is formed as a parallelogram of two stable ends and two flexing arms. The movement of the hinge is smooth and causes no particulate matter to be generated due to rubbing or other friction generating mechanism.

Abstract: To provide nanotweezers and a nanomanipulator which allow great miniaturization of the component and are capable of gripping various types of nano-substances such as insulators, semiconductors and conductors and of gripping nano-substances of various shapes.

Abstract: Presented is an end-effector for grasping integrated circuit wafers with a talon-like device that effectively grips an arcuate peripheral “free zone” of the wafer-without effecting contact of the wafer in a manner to contaminate it.

Abstract: A device helps the user pull a vehicle seat belt mechanism through a child safety restraint seat to secure the seat in the vehicle. One design includes an elongated handle with a pocket at the other end. The pocket end includes: (a) a chamber with (b) an open face large enough for the seat belt mechanism to enter the chamber, and (c) a slot in one of the walls for the belt to fit into. Another design includes an elongated handle with a spring hook at the other end. This spring hook mechanism includes: (a) a base portion connected with the elongated handle and (b) a free hook end extending from the base portion toward the second end of the handle member. The free hook end includes a hook member for engaging a portion of the seat belt mechanism. The devices would be preferably formed from a rigid but flexible material, like a strong plastic.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods used for handling semiconductor wafers or similar articles. In particular, the apparatus disclosed are capable of flexibly gripping items of various shapes and sizes. The apparatus is particularly suited to being used as a robotic end effector for handling wafers using edge-gripping techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the aligning of ceramic carrier substrates on base substrates. The apparatus is a gripper having angled faces lined with soft metallic pads embedded with diamonds that engage in a vertical direction with microfeatures in the ceramic carrier of a semiconductor, providing a secure grip throughout alignment and bonding to a base substrate and providing a gentle release upon disengagement. The gripper is typically detachably affixed to a micromanipulator to provide controlled motion and is spring mounted to provide self adjustment to variations in ceramic carrier substrate thickness and angle.

Abstract: A gripping device for a component mounting machine, said gripping device comprising a gripping device body (1) with a finger portion (2). The finger portion (2) is provided with at least two elongate fingers (3, 4) made in one piece, each finger (3, 4) having an outer edge (5, 6), said outer edges (5, 6) being provided for, in cooperation, gripping a component. The at least two fingers (3, 4) are flexible in relation to each other so that the outer edges (5, 6) of the fingers (3, 4) are moveable towards and away from each other. Movement of at least one finger (4) is controlled by a slide (7) engaging a part of the finger portion (2) remote from said finger (4) for positive movement of said finger (4) in different directions, said slide (7) being displaceably mounted on the gripping device body (1).

Abstract: A grip is provided for grasping beverage cans for use in loading vending machines or the like. The can grip preferably grasps four cans at a time and a spring-loaded plunger ejects the cans therefrom when released. The method of employing the can grip provides for efficient stocking of vending machines and can reduce a serviceman's time by approximately sixty-five to seventy-five percent (65-75%) over usual hand loading.

Abstract: An end effector for handling stacks of plastic cups, dishes, and similar items. The end effector includes a bracket of similar mechanism for coupling the end effector to the end of a robot arm. A gripping assembly is coupled to the bracket. The gripping assembly includes a main plate with a plurality of pairs of spring blades mounted on the bottom of the main plate. Each spring blade has a plurality of teeth and the pairs of spring blades are positioned such that the teeth from each spring blade are interweaved with one another. Two end blades are also mounted on the bottom of the main plate. The spring blades and end blades form a plurality of parallel bays. Each bay is formed by two spring blades or one spring blade and one end blade. When the end effector is coupled to the robot arm and moved down over the stacks of items to be picked up, the spring blades flex allowing the items to pushed into each bay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamp (10) for holding sheet-like objects, having a support (12) on which a clamp tongue (20) is fixed. A clamping jaw (32) is stored in a guide slot (30) in the support (12) in such a way that it can move both in and against the direction of closing (S). When the clamping jaw (32) moves from open position (34) in closing direction (S), the clamp end (42) is displaced along the path of movement (46), until it rests against the clamp tongue (20) or an adjacent object. As the clamping jaw (32) continues to move in closing direction (S), the clamp end is driven back from the path of movement (46), and a clamping force for holding the object is formed as a result of the elasticity of the clamping jaw (32).

Abstract: A bracket for engagement with an object of a substantially rigid sheet-like material has a V- or U-shaped body portion that is produced from a spring material. The body portion has two shanks, and in each shank there is a recess. Each recess is open to an edge of the shank. The recesses have opposing abutment surfaces, and one of the abutment surfaces is on a flap extending from the shank. One or more tips project from any of the abutment surfaces to establish a point contact with sheet material to hold it. When the opposing abutment surfaces are in line with each other, a look-through region between the abutment surfaces increases when the shanks are moved relative to one another against the spring bias to enable positioning the material therebetween.

Abstract: An arrow gripping structure for selectively grasping an arrow shaft is disclosed carried by a bow string release for selectively securing and releasing the string of a bow for firing an arrow therefrom. The arrow gripping structure can be carried by a wide varied of release body structures such as glove style releases, wrist strap releases, and hand-held releases. Also disclosed is a method of pulling arrows from a target by providing a bowstring release with an arrow gripping member, grasping an arrow, and pulling the arrow away from the target, and a method of using a bowstring release to remove arrows from a target.

Abstract: A method of handling internal components of a pulling chamber of a crystal-growing machine, and specialized tools for engaging such components. A connection mechanism includes a female receptacle that latches onto a tapered finger-like connection fixture extending upward from each of the tools. A specialized cart facilitates access to the pulling chamber and transports removed parts.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for clamping an article has a first clamp member mounted on a first shaft defining an axis and a second clamp member. An actuator for pivoting the first clamp member relative to the second clamp member around the first axis from an open position to a closed position in which the gripper is able to clamp an article is provided. The actuator has a follower link which is rotatably mounted on a second shaft defining a second axis different to that first axis. The actuator is coupled to the first clamp member by at least one guided compression spring.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a conveying device for conveying printed products. More particularly, a gripper assembly having: (a) a first gripper part, having a clamping surface and an external surface; (b) a second gripper part, having a clamping surface and an external surface; wherein the first gripper part and the second gripper part are connected together for pivotal movement about a common axis, the first gripper part being pivotable between an open position and a clamping position in which it cooperates with the second gripper part to clamp a printed product under spring force; (c) a spring element arranged between the first gripper part and the second gripper part, which spring element imparts a biasing force on the first gripper part which biases the first gripper part into the clamping position; and, (d) at least one conforming biaser which conforms to the external surfaces of the first and second gripper parts and which biases the first gripper part into the clamping position.

Abstract: A pickup apparatus which can easily pick up and pull out a thin plate member from a number of thin plate members disposed alongside one another in a narrowly spaced relationship and which assists in automating the picking up and pulling out of the thin plate member. The pickup apparatus includes a pair of pincer members which pick up and pull out the thin plate member from a number of the thin plate members disposed in a side-by-side spaced arrangement in a tray by expanding or contracting a bag member interposed between the pincer members to open or close the pincer members.

Abstract: A novel technique and apparatus for receiving, holding and/or transporting thin planar workpieces and the like that involves radially supporting circumferentially spaced thin and flexible annular ring sectors about a fixed planar central circular disc upon which the workpiece is to be received, and by limitedly rotationally bending the ring sectors about the disc, causing circumferential leaf springs bridging the successive ring sectors and carrying workpiece holding fingers to deform and thereby expand (or retract) the radial position of the fingers to accommodate the edges of the workpiece.