Handlers Utilizing Parallel Links Patents (Class 414/917)
  • Patent number: 12134867
    Abstract: A road milling machine includes a machine frame having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of ground engaging units support the machine frame from a ground surface. A milling drum is supported from the machine frame. An operator's station is supported from the machine frame by a support linkage configured to move the operator's station laterally between an inner position and an outer position relative to the machine frame. The support linkage includes at least one pivot link extending between the machine frame and the operator's station and oriented to pivot about a pivot axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame. The operator's station in the outer position extends laterally partially beyond the machine frame on one of the left and right edges of the machine frame, the outer position being at a higher elevation than the inner position relative to the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Drumm
  • Patent number: 12049005
    Abstract: A robot device simplifies processing of flanges integrated with a base part, making it possible to use a small number of adapter components to connect corresponding decelerators to the processed flanges. The base part houses decelerators that drive a first arm and a second arm that have a parallel link. Two first decelerators are arranged on either side of the first arm so as to be parallel and drive the first arm. A second decelerator is arranged parallel to the two first decelerators and drives the second arm. Two first adaptor components are respectively arranged between the base part and the two first decelerators and connect the base part and the first decelerators; and a second adapter component is arranged between the base part and the second decelerator and connects the base part and the second decelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Genki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11318605
    Abstract: A joint bearing for a robot 1 which comprises a shaft 21 and at least one link element 24, 35, 36, 37, 38, 59, 60 mounted to be rotatable on shaft 21 between two axial bearings 22, 23, 43, 44, 45, 46, 54, 55, 63, 64, 69, where a resiliently compressible preloading element 33, 49, 52, 53, 56, 57, 65, 66 is provided which applies an axial preloading force to the axial bearings. A robot with at least one such joint bearing as well as a method for assembling a joint bearing for a robot are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FRUITCORE ROBOTICS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Füssl, Manuel Tobias Frey, Jens Robert Riegger
  • Patent number: 11142268
    Abstract: A lightweight 4-degree-of-freedom leg mechanism of a bionic quadruped robot, which includes a hip-joint lateral-swing assembly, a thigh longitudinal-swing assembly and a shank longitudinal-swing assembly. The hip-joint lateral-swing assembly includes a hip-joint swing cylinder and an electro-hydraulic actuator. One end of the electro-hydraulic actuator and one end of the thigh longitudinal-swing assembly are respectively connected to the hip-joint swing cylinder via a connecting block. The other end of the electro-hydraulic actuator is hinged to a side of the thigh longitudinal-swing assembly. The other end of the thigh longitudinal-swing assembly is hinged to the shank longitudinal-swing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: YANSHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bin Yu, Kaixian Ba, Jiankui Yang, Qixin Zhu, Zhipeng Huang, Lipeng Yuan
  • Patent number: 10632609
    Abstract: A linkage mechanism includes a chest assembly of a robot; a servo arranged within the chest assembly and comprising an output shaft; a first linkage member including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end being connected to the output shaft; a forearm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the first linkage member; and a second linkage member. Opposite ends of the second linkage member are rotatably connected to the chest assembly and the forearm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Xiaopeng Wu, Lefeng Liu
  • Patent number: 9841660
    Abstract: An object guide having a variable motion path includes a connecting seat, a first motion unit, a second motion unit, an adjustment unit and a drive unit. The adjustment unit is disposed on the connecting seat, and the second connecting portion of the first connecting arm and the fourth connecting portion of the second connecting arm are disposed at the same position, the first adjustment portion of the first adjustment arm and the second adjustment portion of the second adjustment arm are also located at the same position and simultaneously moved by the adjustment unit. Therefore, simply adjusting the adjustment unit can simultaneously adjust the first adjustment portion and the second adjustment portion to the straight line position, the outward curvature position, or the inward curvature position, which make the adjustment convenient, and the displacement curvatures for moving the object are asymmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignees: 9. Solutions Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo Christensen
  • Patent number: 8985933
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the storage of equipment such as ladders in the upper area, but particularly in the upper area on the outside of emergency vehicles such as trucks which includes a capability of moving the ladder to an extended lower deployed position to facilitate immediate access thereto by emergency workers such as firemen. An outer bracket is connected to an inner housing through a parallel linkage with the inner housing attached to the vehicle and the outer bracket attachable to the equipment. The outer bracket includes a downwardly extendable sliding carriage to facilitate positioning of the equipment at a lower level for aiding in retrieval thereof utilizing a flexible control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Michael P. Ziaylek
  • Patent number: 8813600
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a platform in horizontal and vertical directions relative to a base. The apparatus comprises a parallelogram structure comprising first and second parallelogram linkages each parallelogram linkage comprises first and second link arms and a hydraulic actuator to vary the geometry of the respective parallelogram linkage. A connecting member is connected between the parallelogram linkages to which a first end of each link arm and a first end of each hydraulic actuator are pivotally connected. The first ends of the hydraulic actuators and the first ends of the first link arms are connected to the connecting member along a first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Breu
  • Patent number: 8734083
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a tooling device which for connecting to a manipulator. The device includes a base unit and at least two manipulator modules each with a first and a second end. At least one degree of freedom in movement is provided between both ends of each manipulator module. The first end is connected with the base unit and a tool interface is provided at the second end. The tool interfaces are each moveable independently of the other relative to the base unit. At least one manipulator module is linearly moveable on its first end relative to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Bernard Negre, Gérard Pinchon, Gregor Stengel, Kuno Hug, Sven Soetebier, Wolfgang Waldi
  • Patent number: 8720298
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moving and positioning an object in space, having at least three actuator arms each connected to a motor/drive unit and pivotable about a motor/drive axis. The free end of each actuator arm is jointedly connected by connecting rods to a support element having at least one gripping device that can be connected to a vacuum source via a vacuum hose. The gripping device is provided with a suction opening for suctionally gripping the object. According to the invention, the vacuum hose is guided by the support element to the motor/drive axis of one of the motor/drive units, and can be connected to the vacuum source by a rotatable hose joint disposed substantially in the motor/drive axis and rotatable about the motor/drive axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8714903
    Abstract: A robot includes a base, a movable platform, a shaft rotatably connecting the movable platform and the base, three kinematic chains rotatably connecting the movable platform and the base, an end effector defining an air orifice, and a rotary member. The rotary member is rotatably connected to the movable platform, and two opposite ends of the rotary member are connected to the shaft and the end effector, respectively. The movable platform defines an air hole, and the rotary member defines an airflow passage communicating between the air hole and the air orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Feng
  • Patent number: 8668426
    Abstract: Proposed is a wheeled drop-floor trailer that has a U-shaped frame with two articulated linkages pivotally installed on the sides of the U-shaped frame and suspension rods that pivotally support the drop floor in a freely hanging condition. On the side of the trailer opposite the loading side the articulated linkages are interconnected by a cross bar, which is connected to a drive mechanism, e.g., to a winch, via a cable. When the articulated linkages are inclined toward the loading side, the drop floor descends to the ground under its own weight and, after the cargo is loaded onto the drop floor, the latter is raised by pulling the linkages with the use of the winch via the cable and the cross bar in the direction opposite the loading side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Ben Baron
  • Patent number: 8622684
    Abstract: A workpiece orientation apparatus includes a base, two pushing bars, a linear actuator, a connecting member, at least one first connecting bar, and a second connecting bar. The two pushing bars are slidably connected to the base and aligned apart along a first direction. The linear actuator is mounted on the base. The connecting member is driven by the linear actuator to move back and forth along a second direction. One end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to the connecting member, and the other end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to one of the two pushing bars. One end of the second connecting bar is connected to the first connecting bar and is rotatably assembled together on the connecting member. The other end of the second connecting bar is rotatably connected to the other of the two pushing bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan-Cheng Bao, Zhen-Hua Xu
  • Patent number: 8622686
    Abstract: A device for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface such as a pallet includes a frame and a pin matrix movably attached to the frame. The pin matrix includes an array of pins and is housed in a plate having apertures for receiving the pins. The device further includes a pair of tracks that movably support the pin matrix. A method for moving containers or other objects relative to a surface includes the steps of moving the pin matrix over the objects, lowering the pin matrix, securing the objects within the pin matrix, moving the pin matrix and the objects relative to the surface, and raising the pin matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Arrowhead Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin L. Stringfield, Cary A. Lindauer
  • Patent number: 8615907
    Abstract: A grapple device includes a torque tube, a pivot, a rod and cylinder, a pivot link, and a tooth. The torque tube has first and second torque pivot points and is adapted to be mounted on a bucket. The pivot is rotatably connected to the first torque pivot point at a pivot cross tube located at a second end of the pivot, and the pivot further comprises a pivot collar at a first end, and first and second pivot faces adjacent the pivot collar. The rod and cylinder are operatively connected to the second torque pivot point, includes a rod and a cylinder, and has a rod pivot at a first end of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Agile Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Miller, Michael L. Feilmeier
  • Patent number: 8545163
    Abstract: Positional relationship among the first link support shaft (85), the second link support shaft (86), the first arm support shaft (88) and the second arm support shaft (89) is set such that an upper portion of the first lift link (81) comes into substantial agreement with a rear end of the machine body (1), when the upper free end of the first lift link (81) is pivoted maximally rearward in the course of transition of the arm (77) from a lowermost state realized lifting down the arm (77) to an uppermost state realized by lifting up the arm (77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoaki Yasuda, Masanori Fujino, Toshihiko Takemura, Yasuo Nakata, Yoshitaka Matsubara, Yoshihiro Ueda, Yuuki Takano, Yusuke Kawai, Ryohei Sumiyoshi, Hiroyuki Anami, Naoya Muramoto, Kenji Mitsui, Youhei Kawano, Takeshi Ikumura
  • Patent number: 8534386
    Abstract: An articulated apparatus for handling a drilling to has a base, a first set of arms pivotally connected at one end to the base and extending outwardly therefrom, a joint member pivotally connected to an opposite end of the first set of arms, a second set of arms pivotally connected at one end of to the joint member and extending outwardly therefrom, and a carrier assembly pivotally connected to an opposite end of the second set of arms. The carrier assembly is suitable for carrying the drilling tool so as to allow the drilling tool to move upwardly and downwardly. A drive system is cooperative with the first and second sets of arms so as to move the drilling tool between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Yaogen Ge
  • Patent number: 8459709
    Abstract: A gripper mechanism for machines, robots and manipulation devices comprises at least one moving gripping finger, operated by coupling to an operating mechanism by two drive shafts. As a result of operating the gripping finger by two connecting bars, in turn each driven by the drive shafts, it is possible to move the gripping finger through a rotation over 180° through the path or range thereof and hence securely transmit forces and torques without tipping or getting in an unstable position. The drive shafts are divided axially into at least two parts in order to be housed completely in an enclosed and unitary gripper housing, protected from dust and dirt and hermetically sealed. The different parts of the drive shafts are centered on one another and positively connected by means of axial toothing, in the form of pinion gears and pins, and have a carrier support bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Fereshteh Saadat
  • Patent number: 8459927
    Abstract: A skid steer loader having an operator compartment attached to a frame. Lift assemblies are movably mounted to the frame and are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. As the lift assemblies are moved between the retracted position and the extended position, joining plates, first links and second links are positioned behind the operator compartment to provide a better field of vision for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. England, David Reyes, Sean Plante, Ed Wagner
  • Patent number: 8434992
    Abstract: A first decelerator is placed in an arm base such that a lower end of a decelerator shaft is bared in the arm base. A first arm has a hermetic space which becomes equal in pressure to a hermetic space of the arm base when an upper end of the hollow decelerator shaft is inserted thereinto, and is secured to a first decelerator output shaft. A second decelerator is placed on a distal end of the first arm, and has an input shaft connected to the decelerator shaft. A second arm is secured to an output shaft of the second decelerator, and has no hermetic space formed therein. A link mechanism follows the first and second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Fumihiro Tara, Nobuyuki Furukawa, Kensuke Ohni
  • Patent number: 8393243
    Abstract: A link mechanism arranged between a fixed base and a movable base. The mechanism includes a drive gear reducer, a first arm, a second arm, a connection base, a first link, and a second link. The drive gear reducer includes a body, an input shaft, a first output shaft, and a second output shaft. The first arm is connected to the fixed base and the body of the reducer. The second arm is connected to the second output shaft and the movable base. The connection base is arranged such that the second arm is between the connection base and the reducer, the connection base is connected to the first output shaft. The first link is connected to the fixed base and the connection base. The second link is connected to the connection base and the movable base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masatoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 8382419
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is designed to provide an apparatus for placement and removal of gas containing tanks in various locations for usage or transport. The apparatus includes a transport carriage assembly with wheels for moving thereof and a generally vertical beam with an angularly positioned reinforcing member for strengthening thereof. A parallel swing brace is pivotally connected to the vertical beam and extends outwardly therefrom. A tank retaining bracket assembly is secured to the outermost end of the parallel swing brace. Holding brackets and a foot plate are secured to the parallel swing braces and define a tank holding zone. A strap secures the tank to the retaining bracket. A drive is connected to the parallel swing brace to power movement thereof in a vertical direction either upwardly or downwardly as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Cielito B. Agoncillo, W. Brian McGinty, Michael P. Ziaylek
  • Patent number: 8366375
    Abstract: There are provided a rotation introduction mechanism which transmits a rotating motion on the atmosphere side into vacuum, is arranged simply, has a low sliding resistance, and has a long life, a substrate transfer apparatus, a substrate transfer apparatus having a small pivot radius and generating a smaller amount of dusts, and a vacuum processing apparatus. A lubricant holding member is attached to a vacuum seal mechanism. The substrate transfer apparatus is arranged such that a first link mechanism includes a first arm and a fourth arm, a second link mechanism includes a second arm and a third arm, the first arm is fixedly attached to a first drive shaft, the first arm is fixedly attached to a second drive shaft, the third arm is rotatably attached to the first drive shaft, and the fourth arm is rotatably attached to the second drive shaft. The vacuum processing apparatus includes the substrate transfer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: ULVAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Musha, Hirofumi Minami, Takafumi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8317453
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a manipulator that is relatively compact and has a relatively large range of motion. The manipulator includes a linkage that folds back on itself, which reduces the footprint of the linkage. In a particular embodiment, the manipulator includes a linkage and a load balancing device. The linkage includes a first link, a second link, a third link and a fourth link. The first link and second links are rotatably connected to a base about first and second connection axes. The third and fourth links are connected to the first and second links respectively about third and fourth connection axes respectively. The third and fourth links are rotatably connected to a lift arm about fifth and sixth connection axes respectively, wherein the fifth and sixth connection axes are horizontally displaced from the third and fourth connection axes in the direction of the first and second connection axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ray Givens
  • Patent number: 8186931
    Abstract: The powered hand truck has a chassis supported at one end by a single axle with two independently operable drive wheels. A prime mover is provided generally medially on the chassis, driving the drive wheels and powering the forklift mechanism. There is no operator console housing for the powered hand truck, as it is intended to be remotely controlled. A transmitter provides for specific and precise control of each drive wheel independently of the other, by using two drive wheel control switches. The powered hand truck has a caster wheel actuation strut housing over the caster wheel end of the chassis. A storage rack and dolly may be installed upon a suitable transport vehicle for transporting the powered hand truck. The hand truck forks engage the storage rack dolly, with the dolly translating along the rack to allow the truck to be deployed from, or loaded onto, the transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Borntrager, James Borntrager
  • Patent number: 8152433
    Abstract: A loader vehicle includes a main frame, a lift arm, and a lift cylinder. The lift arm is connected to the main frame. A working implement is attached to the lift arm at the front end thereof. The lift cylinder is connected to the lift arm and the main frame. The lift cylinder includes a piston, a piston rod fixed to the piston, and a cylinder tube. The piston rod is connected to the main frame. The cylinder tube has a bottom portion and a side wall portion. The cylinder tube is connected to the lift arm by a connecting portion. The connecting portion is provided at the side wall portion of the cylinder tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Aichi Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Yamada, Hidehito Kondou, Masami Sakamoto, Koichiro Mori
  • Patent number: 7997845
    Abstract: A sheet handling device for handling large sheets of glass or other sheet material, the device comprising a wheeled trolley having an upright support shaft (2), a carriage movable along the shaft (2) into a selected position, and at least two vacuum grips mounted to the carriage to engage the sheet at positions displaced in the height direction of the sheet. In another embodiment the carriage is movable by operation of a winch. The trolley is normally used in conjunction with a second like trolley so that the vacuum grips of the two trolleys engage the sheet at spaced positions along the length of the sheet. The two trolleys are preferably interconnected by releasable bracing which can be stored on the trolleys for ease of transportation. In a further embodiment there is also disclosed a glass installation guide to facilitate guidance of a large glass sheet into a frame during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Quantum Workhealth Programmes Pty, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ricardo Carlei
  • Patent number: 7967541
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford Canada Partnership
    Inventors: William John Stroshein, David Louis Richard, Monte Neil Wright, Leon Keith Jantzen, Imad Assaf
  • Patent number: 7704035
    Abstract: The powered hand truck has a chassis supported at one end by a single axle with two independently operable drive wheels. A prime mover is provided generally medially on the chassis, driving the drive wheels and powering the forklift mechanism. An operator console extends from the end of the chassis opposite the wheels, with an operator platform extending beyond the base of the operator console. The forklift mechanism has a pantograph arrangement supported by a pivotally mounted column. The forklift mast remains parallel to the column at all times and includes a manually actuated upper extension. A storage rack and dolly may be installed upon a suitable transport vehicle for transporting the powered hand truck. The hand truck forks engage the storage rack dolly, with the dolly translating along the rack to allow the truck to be deployed from, or loaded onto, the transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Borntrager, James Borntrager
  • Patent number: 7621605
    Abstract: A cabinet having opposing side walls and an open, or openable, frontal area, provides a pair of arms pivotally engaged with each of the side walls. The arms are rotatable between a downwardly and rearwardly directed position and a forwardly directed position extensive of the frontal area for exposing a shelf or basket. Each of the pair of arms is engaged with slots in a guide plate fixed at one side of the shelf or basket, whereby the basket is driven linearly, by the arms, between a retracted position inside the cabinet to a frontal position, while the arms traverse the slots, and then the arms lift the basket in an arc to an extended and raised convenient height. Such movement is facilitated by a motor driven linear actuator or by pulleys rotated by drive cords or belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Easy Lift LLC
    Inventors: Steve Bond, Andrew Tiffin
  • Patent number: 7618225
    Abstract: Disclosed is a six-bar linkage positioning mechanism mounted inside a clean container formed of a locating member and a four-bar linkage and a driving module which, when moved, has the slide of the driving module stopped at the base of the cleaning container and be forced to move upwards relative to a sliding way inside the locating member and to cause the driving link of the driving module to drive the four-bar linkage upwards and to further force the second link of the four-bar linkage to push workpieces in respective insertion slots in a cassette on the clean container. The six-bar linkage positioning mechanism has only one degree of freedom so that it moves workpieces horizontally in the cassette into position by means of contact at a point, preventing contamination due to friction and also improving moving stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuan-Chou Chen, Tzong-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 7591625
    Abstract: A carrying device which can prevent an object to be carried from being contaminated with dust and carry the object to a correct position. The present invention is constructed by first and second parallelogram linkages. The second parallelogram linkage is formed by using a link of the first parallelogram linkage, has four sides with an equal length, and is linearly extended or retracted along a linear guide. Links of the first parallelogram linkage and links of the second parallelogram linkage are configured to rotate while being in a restrained state of 90° at pivots of both ends of the common link of the first and second parallelogram linkage, respectively. An arm is provided at a pivot of an end of a link opposed to the link of the first parallelogram linkage such that the arm rotates in a restrained state of 90° relative to the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: ULVAC, Inc., Sowa MD Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Minami, Kazuhiro Fujimura
  • Patent number: 7568879
    Abstract: Robotized device to move an object, comprising a manipulator having gripping elements lying on a determinate plane of manipulation, a first electric motor with which a first movement unit is associated, in turn associated with the manipulator, and a second electric motor with which a second movement unit is associated, in turn associated with the manipulator, wherein the first movement unit and the second movement unit define with the respective motor and with the manipulator a pantograph mechanism. The first movement unit comprises connection elements able to keep the gripping elements substantially parallel to the plane of manipulation during the functioning of the pantograph mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: AFCO C.V.
    Inventor: Gisulfo Baccini
  • Patent number: 7568878
    Abstract: A loader boom arm for a material handling vehicle used in the agricultural or construction industries includes a post attachable to the vehicle, a lower arm pivotally connected to the post, an upper arm pivotally connected to the lower arm, a pivoting mechanism coupled to the post and the lower arm, and a link arm pivotally connected to the post and to the upper arm. The boom arm is raised and lowered in an angular direction of rotation by pivoting the lower arm about the post using the pivoting mechanism. As the lower arm is pivoted, the link arm causes the upper arm to pivot relative to the lower arm such that the upper arm pivots further in the direction of angular rotation than the lower arm, thus changing the angle between the lower arm and upper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Frey Industries Limited
    Inventor: Oscar Frey
  • Patent number: 7568880
    Abstract: A compact micro-manipulator with low energy consumption accurately and quickly positions a micro-material in a visual field of a microscope. A micro-manipulator operable to grip micro-material by bringing leading ends of the gripping fingers in close proximity includes an XY drive unit that drives a handling unit in X and Y directions, a drive unit that changes a positional direction of the handling unit in order to swing the gripping fingers around leading ends of the gripping fingers, and a Z drive unit that drives the handling unit in the Z direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignees: Nisca Corporation, Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mikio Horie, Daiki Kamiya, Naoto Mochizuki, Yoshimichi Yoda, Masahiro Kouno
  • Patent number: 7547182
    Abstract: A slat positioning and placing machine is preferably configured to place slats on top of or between accumulated material layers. A set of actuating arms preferably includes complementary operating slat holding holders, such as pans or other holding devices. As a first slat holder is inserting a slat into a material package being formulated, a second slat holder is preferably positioned to receive a slat. As the second slat holder is being positioned to insert the slat into the package, the first slat holder is preferably being cycled back to receive a slat. A controls methodology preferably electronically profiles the forward and rearward movement of the actuating arms. The raising and lowering functions can also be electronically profiled. The profiles can also preferably be adjusted to increase the cycle rates for various lengths being processed, and various cycling and positioning methods are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Hogue Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Wayne Hogue, Brian Cornelius Hogue
  • Patent number: 7544034
    Abstract: An elevating platform system (1) which can be fixed to vehicles, comprising a platform (2) and a parallelogram shaped lifting gear consisting of two horizontally spaced carrier arms (3,4) for bearing the platform (2), a parallel cylinder (10) for swiveling the platform (2) from a vertical travel position into a horizontal working position and vice-versa, in addition to a lifting cylinder (7) used to lift and lower the platform (2) in the working position thereof. The lifting cylinder (7) engages with a lifting cylinder lever (6) which can be rotated about the pivoting axis (5) of the carrier arms (2,3) and forms a triangle of forces therewith. The first carrier arm (3) is elastically and movingly coupled to the lifting cylinder lever (6) in the direction of lifting and the second carrier arm (4) is connected to the lifting cylinder lever (6) by means of a torsion profile (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Gerd Baer
  • Patent number: 7537427
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a frame and a pair of opposing clamping arms mounted on the frame for movement towards and away from each other to grasp or release a load. In one embodiment, each clamping arm is guided for movement with respect to the frame by an adjustable bushing which can be rotated to adjust the position of the bushing with respect to the clamping arm. In another embodiment, each clamping arm defines a four-bar linkage which controls the angle with respect to the vertical of a contact portion of the clamping arm. The clamping apparatus may be mounted on a lift truck or other support member by a connector which permits the angle of the clamping apparatus with respect to the horizontal to be adjusted and which enables the clamping apparatus to pivot about an axis between a position in which it is disposed outboard of the axis and a position in which is it disposed forward of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Tygard Machine & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward Tygard
  • Patent number: 7513173
    Abstract: A parallel link mechanism includes a first arm, a second arm, a first auxiliary link, a second auxiliary link, and a drive motor. A cylindrical connection shaft having a first rotational axis is provided near the proximal portion of the first arm. The proximal portion of the first arm is rotatably connected to a fixed base through the connection shaft. The distal portion of the second arm is rotatably connected to a movable base. The proximal portion of the second arm is rotatably connected to the distal portion of the first arm through a connecting portion connected to a transmission mechanism. The first auxiliary link forms a first parallel link together with the first arm, the connecting portion, and the fixed base. The second auxiliary link forms a second parallel link together with the second arm, the connecting portion, and the movable base. The drive motor drives the transmission mechanism to pivot the first arm and the second arm. The drive motor includes a motor shaft having a second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masatoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 7510364
    Abstract: A simple and compact loader having a sufficient strength with brackets fixed on a working vehicle. Lift arms are pivoted at one ends thereof to respective brackets so as to be vertically swung by respective lift arm cylinders. Attachments are vertically swingably supported on respective tip portions of the lift arms. Bucket links are connected to the respective attachments so as to transmit the telescopic action of bucket cylinders. Each of the bucket links is offset laterally from each of the lift arms. The middle portion of each of the lift arms is disposed above a straight line connecting both ends of the lift arm to each other, so as to ensure a space for arranging a steerable wheel under the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Yanmar Co., Ltd., Yanmar Construction Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Sakada
  • Patent number: 7476071
    Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a lift device, capable of suitably lowering objects that have been placed in a high place to a position at which they can be reached by people, is provided. A link unit is provided on the top of the vehicle. The link unit is comprised of telescoping arms, which are parallel to each other. The link unit is comprised of base arm members, slide arm members, a base link which connects the base arm members, and support links, which are parallel to the base links and which connect the slide arm members. Further, the link unit is comprised of a drive boom, which is swung up and down on the top of the vehicle around a drive shaft, and a follow boom, which is swung, in the same direction as the drive boom, around a support shaft that is parallel to the drive shaft. One base arm member is attached to the leading end of the drive boom, and another base arm member is attached to the leading end of the follow boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sato Kogyosyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Ito
  • Patent number: 7467810
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a sensor having a sensing surface at an operational distance from a target surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes an upper frame and spaced apart parallel front and rear struts. The upper ends of the struts are connected to the upper frame. The lower ends of the struts are connected to the sensor. The front and rear struts pivot about the upper frame to move the sensor in response to an obstacle on the target surface, The sensor pivots about the lower ends of the front and rear struts to maintain the sensing surface in substantially parallel orientation to the target surface. The angle between the sensing surface and the front and rear struts is less than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sensors & Software Inc.
    Inventor: Charles David Leggatt
  • Patent number: 7434438
    Abstract: A folding brake includes a frame having a pair of vertically disposed and spaced side members and a lower clamp member rigidly attached to each side member and disposed in a horizontal plane. An upper clamp member is pivotally positioned in relationship to the lower clamp member for selectively clamping a workpiece positioned thereon. A first drive member generates a clamping force and selectively moves the upper clamp member. A pivotally mounted bend rail is engageable with a portion of such workpiece protruding beyond a front edge of the lower clamp member. A second drive member generates a bending force and selectively pivots the bend rail in a first direction to apply the bending force to such workpiece and in a second direction to disengage the workpiece. A controller is provided for operating the first and second drive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Clarence Kornelsen
  • Patent number: 7396202
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a lift and carrier assembly for a personal-transportation vehicle includes a deck frame, a platform, and a trolley assembly mounted on the deck frame. The trolley assembly includes a drive nut, a motor for rotating the drive nut, and a drive screw threadably coupled to the drive nut so that rotation of the drive nut causes the platform and the drive motor to translate linearly in relation to the deck frame. The lift and carrier assembly also includes an arm assembly mounted on the trolley system and comprising a first and a second arm member, and an actuator pivotally coupled to the first and second arm members for moving the first and second arm members so that first and second arm members move the platform between an upper and a lower position in relation to the deck frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Cook Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Panzarella, James B. Eldon, III, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 7377741
    Abstract: A stove loading mechanism to assist a person in lifting and moving heavy and/or awkward loads, such as loading logs into an outdoor wood boiler. A fork assembly for holding the log can easily be raised and lowered from the ground and latched at any height by means of a jack mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Larry A. Hall
  • Patent number: 7354237
    Abstract: A loader boom arm for a material handling vehicle used in the agricultural or construction industries includes a post attachable to the vehicle, a lower arm pivotally connected to the post, an upper arm pivotally connected to the lower arm, a pivoting mechanism coupled to the post and the lower arm, and a link arm pivotally connected to the post and to the upper arm. The boom arm is raised and lowered in an angular direction of rotation by pivoting the lower arm about the post using the pivoting mechanism. As the lower arm is pivoted, the link arm causes the upper arm to pivot relative to the lower arm such that the upper arm pivots further in the direction of angular rotation than the lower arm, thus changing the angle between the lower arm and upper arm. The subject loader boom arm allows an operator to move material in a bucket attached to the boom arm to locations of higher elevation and further reach than typically available with conventional boom arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Frey Industries Limited
    Inventor: Oscar Frey
  • Patent number: 7334304
    Abstract: In order to improve a machine tool for machining a workpiece by a relative movement between the workpiece and a tool, comprising a first receiving device for the workpiece or the tool, a compound slide system with a second receiving device for the tool or the workpiece and comprising a drive device for moving the second receiving device in relation to the first receiving device, which drive device acts at at least two spaced-apart points of application by at least three drive struts extending parallel to at least two different directions and each with a pivot joint, and with which drive device the at least two points of application can be positioned by means of the at least three drive struts, in such a way that exact positioning of the second slide element can be achieved by structural measures, it is proposed that four drive struts of invariant length, each with a pivot joint, act on the slide element, each of which struts is pivotally connected to a guiding slide, which is guided in a linearly movable mann
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Index-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn Tessky
    Inventor: Walter Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7306423
    Abstract: A linear moving mechanism includes a guide member providing a horizontal straight transport path, a moving member movable along the transport path and a drive mechanism which drives the moving member. The drive mechanism includes a first link arm pivotable around a first vertical shaft, and a second link arm having a first end and a second end. The first vertical shaft is on the transport path or on a line parallel to the transport path. The first end is connected to the first link arm for pivotal movement of the second link arm in a horizontal plane, whereas the second end is connected to the moving member for pivotal movement of the second link arm in a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Daihen Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Ogawa, Takafumi Uratani, Masayuki Sugane, Yoshiyuki Matsuzaki, Naoya Murata, Sakiko Uno
  • Patent number: 7300083
    Abstract: A first tong member includes a first 4-joint linkage, in which both pairs of opposite rods are substantially equal, in length, to each other; a second tong member likewise includes a second 4-joint linkage, in which both pairs of opposite rods are substantially equal; and the first and second linkages have one of the foregoing rods in common. The first linkage has a first arm extended from the rod opposite to the common rod, and the second linkage likewise has a second arm extended from the rod opposite to the common rod, so that when respective actuating tails of the first and second tong members are operated in an arcuate manner, an opening width in the article-seizing area is configured to be capable of being adjusted, while the first and second extended arms in a substantially parallel relationship with each other maintain a substantially constant distance defined in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Masahito Hamazaki
    Inventors: Hidenobu Hamazaki, Masahito Hamazaki
  • Patent number: 7296958
    Abstract: A piano lyre crutch includes a panel having a top and a fixture for temporarily attaching the panel to a top of a grand piano lyre. A panel depending portion includes a length greater than a length of the depending lyre, which facilitates breakdown of the piano for transport without jeopardizing the lyre by the piano weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Herbert Martin