Handlers Utilizing Parallel Links Patents (Class 414/917)
  • Patent number: 5445488
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift, as for use with a vehicle, includes a platform for receiving a wheelchair carried as a pivot mechanism including two pairs of cooperating parallelogram structures adopted to be affixed to a vehicle for moving the platform between loading, entry and stowed positions by hydraulic actuation. A bridge plate structure is actuated by the pivot mechanism to be positioned as a bridge into the vehicle in the entry position, as a roll stop when a wheelchair is being carried and as a latch unit in the stowed position. A cam-cable mechanism actuates the bridge plate and the parallelogram structures of each pair are interlocked in moving between the stowed and entry positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Ricon Corporation
    Inventors: Stanton D. Saucier, Pierre Savaria, Jules Tremblay, Nelson Tremblay
  • Patent number: 5440943
    Abstract: A positioner facilitates docking and undocking of an electronic test head with a device handler. The position provides for rotation of the test head about a first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: inTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Alyn R. Holt, Robert E. Matthiessen, Christopher L. West
  • Patent number: 5441505
    Abstract: A medical locating apparatus including a main parallel link and subsidiary parallel links are formed by first second and third links, first, second and third sub-links and a crank member, in which the respective links are interlocked with corresponding parallel links, respectively. Accordingly, clutch means need not be disposed to all of the connection shafts of the links, but they may be located close to a pivot at a relatively low position, to a connection shaft connecting the first auxiliary link with the first sub-link and to a connection shaft connecting the second auxiliary link with the second sub-link. Thus, the links need not be operated by the respective heavy clutches. The present apparatus enjoys excellent operability, and such a structure is also advantageous from the standpoint of stability of the entire apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsushige Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5437846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for supporting objects inside a rotating drum, particularly in a sterilizer. The drum disposed in the enclosure rotates about the axis XX'. The supporting apparatus includes pressure plates, the displacements of which are controlled by pairs of levers disposed in the lateral parts of the drum, on either side of the stacks of objects. The levers pivot about pins under the action of controlling apparatus which may be actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Barriquand Steriflow
    Inventors: Jean-Patrick Roumagnac, Francisco Naveros, Jacques Timmermans
  • Patent number: 5433581
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift with hydraulic power unit and automated folding platform for installation on the floor, inside the opening defining walls of a vehicle to provide for loading and unloading of wheelchair occupants to and from the vehicle. Completely automated, retractable, collapsable folding platform. Hydraulic power unit (10) of the lift and the hydraulic cylinder (28) are totally enclosed, and contained in the power box. The power unit provides power for upward motion of the platform and gravity descent for downward motion of the platform. The platform is pivotally retracted and held in a vertical position in half of the opening space of the vehicle door. The folding motion is accomplished by a folding arm driven against a cam roller which starts the motion of the ball joint linkages inside the platform tubing structure. This initiates a resulting revolving motion of one half section of the platform which folds the platform in a smooth un-interrupted continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Ali J. Farsai
  • Patent number: 5423648
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for quickly and efficiently transferring a workpiece from a first work station including a first sheet metal press to a second sheet metal press by providing a pendulum-type robot, including an arm assembly mounted on a support structure to swing about a first axis located above and between the first and second presses. The arm assembly not only swings about a first axis but also rotates about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and a third axis which is orthogonal to the second axis. During swinging movement of the arm assembly about the first axis, rotation of the arm assembly about the second and third axes allows a center of gravity of the workpiece to follow a substantially straight line path between the first and second presses. The arm assembly includes first and second four-bar linkages, which are pivotally connected together to rotate about the second axis. Preferably, a wrist mechanism is provided to permit rotation of the part between the presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hadi A. Akeel, Chris K. Reed
  • Patent number: 5419671
    Abstract: A container handling apparatus having a mounting platform a lifting arm extending from the mounting platform and terminating in a gripper mechanism, mounted on top of a body of a refuse collection vehicle and configured to include three four-bar linkages which interact to produce a reach cycle and a hoist cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, William R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5405237
    Abstract: A tractor-mounted loader is provided with a leveling linkage including a pivot arm assembly pivotally mounted to each of a pair of loader arms at locations intermediate the ends of the latter. A first link is coupled between each post supporting the loader boom arm on the tractor and the pivot arm assembly while a tilt cylinder serves as a second link and is coupled between the pivot arm assembly and a tilt linkage for the implement. The pivot arm assembly of each linkage includes a pair identical plates fixed in spaced parallel relationship to each other and each plate contains an elongate pivot pin adjustment slot having the mounting pin for the tilt cylinder located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ken K. Oka
  • Patent number: 5401135
    Abstract: A wheelchair lifting platform device for raising or lowering of a wheelchair into or out of a vehicle. The invention includes a barrier safety mechanism which is connected to a wheelchair platform. The barrier safety mechanism includes a barrier plate and an activator flipper plate. The barrier plate extends vertically from, and is positioned substantially perpendicular to, a foldable platform during the raising or lowering of a wheelchair. The barrier plate functions as a safety stop prohibiting the inadvertent rolling of a wheelchair off of the platform. The activator flipper plate is pivotally connected to the platform and to the barrier plate. The activator flipper plate functions to engage a road surface as the platform is lowered, for retraction of the barrier plate as the activator flipper plate engages the ground. The invention additionally includes a latching mechanism for coupling a foldable wheelchair platform to the frame of a wheelchair lift device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Crow River Industries
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Stoen, Lynn O. Ringdahl
  • Patent number: 5396816
    Abstract: A single powered dual movement motion device preferably mounted on the distal end of a boom and connected to a platform adapted to carry a wheel chair of a handicapped person. The motion device has a base frame that mounts it on the boom. A first extension frame is pivotally connected to the base frame and a second extension frame is hingedly connected to the first extension frame. A reversible rotatable drive assembly is fixed to the base frame and is driven by a reversible power source. The reversible rotatable drive assembly includes a release and lock means whereby an arcuate path will be given to an extremity of the second extension frame in the release mode and a straight forward path in the locked mode. A reversal of the power source will reverse the sequence of events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventors: Howard W. F. Derksen, Roger L. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5391039
    Abstract: The bin grabbing nipper (22) of a refuse loader arm is held at a constant angle to limb (15) by a parallelogram linkage having pivots (26, 17, 19, 25). Thus, pivoting of limb (15) leads directly to inversion of the raised bin and no separate operation of a special bin tilting ram is required to bring a bin to dumping position. The nipper consists of two opposed, jointed fingers which are separately pivoted to a wrist member (21). All finger joints and wrist joints of the nipper are pivoted by separate hydraulic cylinders supplied by a common source. By sensing back-pressure in each cylinder they can be made to exert equal force. Pivoting at limb joints (17) and (19) is by opposed hydraulic cylinders acting on a rack meshing with a gear wheel. Both these joints may be controlled by a single joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Matrik Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Holtom
  • Patent number: 5375963
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a mast that is mounted orthogonally (perpendicularly) to the plane of a base supported by wheels. A beam and tension member are connected pivotally to the mast and further to a carriage assembly support in such a manner that the support and mast maintain a parallel relationship, as do the beam and tension member. A lifting ram is pivotally connected to the mast and to the telescopic beam. During a load lifting operation, the resulting parallelogram configuration of the mast, carriage assembly support, beam, and tension member serve to maintain the tines of the carriage assembly in a plane parallel to the base of the lifting apparatus as the carriage assembly is arcuately raised. The carriage assembly and tension member may be removed in order for the mast and boom to be used as an engine hoist, and the apparatus may be further used as an engine work stand by installing a plate on the engine which is pivotally installable on the mast at the ram attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Clayton E. Wohlwend
  • Patent number: 5374050
    Abstract: A jogger having a jogger plate is floatingly supported by a four-bar linkage swingably mounted upon a support post. The four-bar linkage is a parallelogram-type linkage which enables the jogger plate to maintain its orientation in space regardless of any swinging movement experienced by the parallelogram linkage. An adjustable weight is provided to control the force exerted upon a signature stack during operation. The jogger plate is adjustable to provide proper positioning of the plate relative to the stack being jogged into alignment. Sensors control the operation of the jogger assembly responsive to the presence of a stack to be jogged and responsive to the movement of the jogging assembly to a given position displaced from the nominal operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Prim Hall Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Prim
  • Patent number: 5370493
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a vehicle, which comprises: a platform adapted to be fitted into a cut portion formed at the backward portion of the floor of a vehicle; a drive element provided at support members attached to the lower part of the floor; a drive shaft axially supported by the support members so that it rotates by expanding or contracting movement of a working rod of the drive element; an L-shaped drive arm having an elbow portion fixed to the drive shaft, a short rod portion, and a long rod portion pivotally supported by the platform; an L-shaped driven arm provided oppositely to the drive arm and having a long rod portion similarly pivotally supported by the platform, an elbow portion pivotally supported by the support member, and a short rod portion; and a connecting rod having both end portions respectively pivotally supported by the short rod portions of the driven arm and the drive arm, and adapted for transmitting a drive force of the drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Shinnosuke Oshima
  • Patent number: 5360310
    Abstract: A mechanized container handling system on a motorized refuse collection vehicle includes a horizontally extensible and retractable support structure having an outer end on which a container grasping assembly is carried, and a container elevating and dumping assembly for lifting the grasped container and dumping its contents into an elevated hopper opening of the vehicle. The support structure comprises telescoped inner, intermediate and outer sections interconnected by an extension scissors structure, the intermediate section being horizontally driven by a hydraulic actuator and the scissors structure being operative to responsively extend and retract the outer section. The container elevating and dumping system is driven by a hydraulic piston and gear system positioned between the upper ends of a pair of support tracks and drivingly connected to a pair of articulated container lifting force arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Rand Automated Compaction System, Inc.
    Inventors: Rickie W. Jones, Gerald F. Martin
  • Patent number: 5357824
    Abstract: The industrial robot comprises two lower arms arranged parallel to each other and pivotably supported on a lower base member; an upper base member pivotably mounted on upper ends of these two lower arms, respectively so as to form a parallelogram together with the two lower arms; at least one first driving source for driving the parallelogrammic link; an upper arm pivotably supported on one side of the upper base member so as not to interfere with the parallelogrammic link and driven by a second driving source. Since the upper arm can be moved horizontally by inclination motion of the parallelogrammic link mechanism and further the upper arm is pivoted on one side of the upper base, the upper arm can be moved frontward, rearward and upward without any interference with the lower arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5356214
    Abstract: The hoist disclosed provides four point pivotal connections of linkages enabling the hoist to raise and lower a rotating shaft in vertical translation while providing resistance to torsioned loads transmitted by the shaft. The hoist may be fitted with a hydraulic cylinder for raising or lowering a boom formed by the linkages. The hoist can be mounted to a structural portion of a building or mounted on a dolly having wheels for ease of movement on a floor. The hoist allows one person to safely mix the contents of large containers, such as 55 gallon drums on totes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Richard Styles & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Styles
  • Patent number: 5346355
    Abstract: the roof top carrier of the present invention has a roof top platform that moves horizontally between a storage position at the center of the roof of a motor home and an extended position adjacent the side of the motor home. A drop cradle moves vertically out of the roof top platform in its extended position to a lower position at ground level to provide user access to equipment or luggage stored in the roof top carrier. Two separate motors power the horizontal movement and the vertical movement for moving the equipment and luggage from the roof to the lower position at ground level alongside the motor home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Edwin Riemer
  • Patent number: 5333986
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring a semiconductor wafer has a base provided with a rotary driving source, and four arms having the same length. A first inner arm has an end fixed to the rotary driving shaft, and the other end fixed to a first coupling shaft. A second inner arm has an end supported by the base such that it can rotate about a pivotal point, and the other end is rotatably connected to a second coupling shaft. A transmission mechanism is provided between the first and second coupling shafts. A first outer arm has an end rotatably connected to the first coupling shaft, and a second outer arm has an end fixed to the second coupling shaft. The other ends of the first and second outer arms are rotatably connected to a supporting plate having a wafer-holding portion. The four arms are arranged so as to have a link structure in the form of a parallelogram, which enables linear transfer of a wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masami Mizukami, Hatsuo Osada
  • Patent number: 5328320
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted for attachment to the frame of a truck, usually within a bed of a conventional pickup truck. A generally planar base is rigidly attached to the truck frame with bolts. A platform is rotatably connected to the base with a pair of four-bar linkages, one on the right side of the platform and one on the left. The platform has a low position close to the base, and a high position that is typically 15 or 20 inches higher. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is anchored at one end to the base and connected at its other end to the platform. Pressurizing the cylinder one way causes the platform to be raised and translated backwardly with respect to the base. Pressurizing the cylinder the other way causes the platform to be moved toward the base in a relatively slow and deliberate manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: J. Thomas Farrow
    Inventors: J. Thomas Farrow, Roy L. Chandler
  • Patent number: 5326214
    Abstract: A handling and transporting apparatus having a lifting and lowering frame supported by hydraulically actuated parallelograms at each end from transporting frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: CMI Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Swisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5314291
    Abstract: A load balancer adapted to set the load of an article to substantially zero by utilizing an air pressure, and provided with a balance cylinder unit consisting of air brakes, a balance cylinder and a weight sensing cylinder. This balance cylinder unit is formed by arranging the balance cylinder and weight sensing cylinder on the same axis, and air brakes on both sides of the balance cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ohashi, Toru Yasunobe
  • Patent number: 5308215
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive passenger lift with distinct lifting "up and down" (loading, unloading) and "fold-unfold" (storage) motion patterns, includes a flow control structure that accommodates various hydraulic flows, somewhat unrestricted for "up-and-down" movement, and different for "fold" and "unfold" movements. The flow control structure includes multiple paths between a source and an actuator, with control for selecting the appropriate path to yield predetermined flow rates. A solenoid driven spool valve and a biased movable orifice member select the desired path. Accordingly, while the flow is substantially unrestricted during "up-and-down" movement, it is somewhat restricted for reduced speed during the "unfold" movement and is more restricted during the power-driven "fold" movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Ricon Corporation
    Inventor: Stanton D. Saucier
  • Patent number: 5293963
    Abstract: A forklift truck having a drive section and a load section which is vertically movable relative to the drive section. A parallelogram hinge connects the drive section to the load section and the load section has a front wall adjacent to a rear wall of the drive section. A cover rests on the upper edge of the rear wall of the drive section and has an edge adjacent to the upper edge of the front wall of the load section. The upper portion of the front wall of the load section is formed with a convex curve toward the drive section. When the load section is raised and lowered on the parallelogram hinge an essentially constant distance is maintained between the edge of the top cover and the upper edge of the front wall of the load section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eric Moineau
  • Patent number: 5275526
    Abstract: Wheeled elevator apparatus for use in loading and unloading freight into and out of a highway truck; the apparatus including a platform raised and lowered by hydraulic power engaging lever arms arranged in a parallelogram structure, drawbridge access ways from the platform to the truck bed and from the platform to the loading/unloading level, the access directions being perpendicular to each other, wheels for moving the apparatus from place to place, and jacks for securing the apparatus off its wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Superior Handling Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Moseley
  • Patent number: 5271707
    Abstract: An aerial lift platform apparatus preferably mounted on a mobile vehicle which supports and transports the apparatus. The apparatus base is mounted on the vehicle, a mast of the apparatus is mounted on the base and houses a basically vertical mast hydraulic cylinder, the mast is also rotatable about the mast vertical axis by a second hydraulic cylinder. Mounted on the mast is a boom whose distal end is connected to a platform adapted to carry a wheelchair of a handicapped person. The boom's distal end is elevated by an extension of the mast hydraulic cylinder which has one end attached to the base and another end to the boom. A levelling link is moveably located internally of the boom and has a proximal end mounted on the mast and a distal end connected to the platform. The platform is connected to the boom and levelling link by a reversible hydraulic motor driven pivoted extension structure and a reversible hydraulic motor driven pivot hinge between the extension structure and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventors: Howard W. S. Derksen, Roger L. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5271757
    Abstract: A take out mechanism for a glassware forming machine comprises a parallel linkage for effecting movement of the takeout tongs. To enable adjustment of the position of the takeout tongs, the position of one of the fixed pivots of the parallel linkage may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz Houben, Horst W. Muller
  • Patent number: 5265489
    Abstract: In an arm-driving device for an industrial robot wherein one end of a first arm (2) is secured to a first pivot axis (21) pivotally supported by a base (1); one end of a second arm (3) is secured to a second pivot axis (31) pivotally supported by the other end of the first arm (2); and parallel linked pivot axes (44) pivotally provided in a concentric relationship with the first pivot axis (21) are connected to a second pivot axis (31) by parallel links (4) and (5); wherein driven bars (41) and (51) of the two parallel links are secured to both ends of said second pivot axis (31) with said first arm (2) sandwiched therebetween; and two connecting bars (42) and (52) connecting driving bars (43) and (53) secured to said parallel link pivot axes (44) and (45) to driven bars (41) and (51), are offset outside said driving bars ( 43) and (53) and driven bars (41) and (51), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Shuichi Tohnai, Toshiaki Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 5261779
    Abstract: An improved dual hydraulic, parallelogram arm wheel chair lift assembly for use in commercial vehicles, such as vans or buses. The lift assembly includes a platform connected at one end to a pair of parallelogram linkages, each of which is provided with a power-up, gravity-down hydraulic cylinder for pulling the parallelogram linkages and platform from a lowered loading position to an immediate transfer position, and thence to a folded, generally upright stored position. The pulling action of the hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic fluid working on the rod side reduces side loading on the piston head and wear on pivot pins of the parallelogram linkages. The hydraulic cylinders are self-bleeding of air during gravity down operation to reduce spongy and jerky operation. The lift assembly has an improved base member employing an additional base support plate to form a box structure to increase strength and reduce moment-induced bending of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald W. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 5257998
    Abstract: A medical three-dimensional locating apparatus includes an arm unit comprising a first arm pivotally supported for tuning about a first axis, a second arm pivotally supported on the first arm for tuning about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and an indicating unit or an echo probe held on the second arm so as to be moved toward and away from the intersection point of the first and second axes. A support unit supports the arm unit, and position detectors are provided for detecting the position of the intersection point of the first and second axes and the position of the tip of the indicating unit or the like relative to the intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignees: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd., Takaaki Takizawa
    Inventors: Kosuke Ota, Takaaki Takizawa, Giichi Nakamura, Katsushige Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5253973
    Abstract: A lift for attachment to a vehicle for moving mobility-impaired passengers between lowered and raised positions for entry and exit. A platform (27) is affixed to an unequal modified parallelogram structure (20), the combination being supported on movable rails (40,41) and carried by rollers (90, 91) for movement by an electric motor (52) between extended and retracted positions in relation to the vehicle. The rails (89) may define a curved portion (89b) to change orientation of the platform combination for storage to an inclined position. The unequal modified parallelogram structure (20) is actuated by a hydraulic ram (34) acting through pivot plates (17, 18) on a common transverse axis (34a) with the upper members of the parallelogram structure (20) to raise and lower the platform (27) so as to incline slightly downward when raised and slightly upward when lowered. The platform may be sectioned with a pivoted part affording a step for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Ricon UK Limited
    Inventor: Percy Fretwell
  • Patent number: 5244334
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing and retrieving road signs has a conveyor for conveying a group of road signs, a pair of group of signs-conveying members for conveying the group of road signs while supporting both sides of a bottom portion of the group of road signs, a driving device for changing over the road sign to a support-releasing condition, a pair of sign-receiving elements arranged at sign-separating positions, a moving device for causing the pair of sign-receiving elements to approach and separate, a sign-ascending and descending device for supporting and causing the road sign to ascend and descend, a device for correcting the posture of the road sign, a sign-holding device for releasably holding the road sign, a position-changing device for shifting the sign-holding device from a position where the sign is separated to a position where the sign is installed and retrieved, and a holding device-ascending and descending mechanism for causing the sign-holding device to ascend and descend at the position whe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Shinmei Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Akita, Toshiya Yonemori, Masanori Sugii
  • Patent number: 5244331
    Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a rotary member such as a vehicle wheel at a balancing machine in such a way that the rotary member can be lifted into a position, at the level of the balancing machine measuring spindle, in which the longitudinal center lines of the measuring spindle and the rotary member are aligned with each other and the rotary member can be moved concentrically relative to the measuring spindle. The apparatus has two equal-length positioning arms which are pivotally connected at an apex point in a scissor-like arrangement and which are pivotable uniformly relative to each other about their connecting point in a plane which is perpendicular to the measuring spindle. The positioning arms connecting point is displaceable along a line which is perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the measuring spindle and which coincides with the line bisecting the angle formed by the positioning arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Hofmann Werkstatt-Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Ruhl
  • Patent number: 5234314
    Abstract: This relates to a transfer mechanism for transferring cartons from a magazine for such cartons. The mechanism includes first and second plates which are joined together for rotation in unison about a fixed shaft. The second plate has pivotally connected thereto a generally radially extending member to which there are connected parallel links which, in turn, are pivotally connected to a carrier in the form of a link parallel to the member and the carrier in turn carries a pair of suction type pickup heads. One of the parallel links extends beyond the other from the carrier and carries a cam follower which is engaged with a cam that is fixedly connected to the first plate for rotation therewith. The fixed shaft also carries a fixed gear which is meshed with a gear which is rotatably mounted on the first plate and which carries an eccentric pin engaged in a slot in the radially extending member to rock the same about its pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Ganz
  • Patent number: 5234311
    Abstract: An adjustable wheelchair lift for a vehicle wherein the lift includes a platform, a mounting structure having two spaced apart, vertically extending, support posts mountable to the vehicle, a linkage for moving the platform to and from the vehicle and a chain-and-sprocket drive for moving the linkage. Each support post has a main portion and an adjustable portion, preferably both being channel shaped. The adjustable portion slides along the main portion until the desired height is reached. The channels also interlock at their edges to prevent lateral movement of the adjustable portion when it is unconnected to the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Ricon Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Loduha, Jr., Stanton D. Saucier, Brian P. Jewett, Jules M. Tremblay
  • Patent number: 5224809
    Abstract: A wafer processing system includes an autoloader mounted within a load lock for providing batch, cassette-to-cassette automatic wafer transfer between the semiconductor processing chamber and cassette load and unload positions within the load lock. The system provides rapid, contamination-free loading and unloading of semiconductor wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Maydan, Sasson R. Somekh, Charles Ryan-Harris, Richard A. Seilheimer, David Cheng, Edward M. Abolnikov, Lance S. Reinke, J. Christopher Moran, Richard M. Catlin, Jr., Robert B. Lowrance, Gregory W. Ridgeway
  • Patent number: 5222854
    Abstract: A production line which includes a shuttle conveyor extending between two work stations. A first transfer device for transferring a workpiece from one of the work stations to the conveyor and a second transfer device for transferring the workpiece to the second work station all equipped with workpiece gripping or supporting devices which may be rapidly changed when the line is shifted from the production of one form of workpiece to the production of another workpiece having a different configuration. Replacement workpiece gripping devices are supported adjacent the shuttle conveyor upon holding pedestals. Upon line changeover, the transfer devices locate their workpiece gripping devices upon empty holding pedestals and actuating devices on the pedestal release the gripping devices from their transfer devices. The empty transfer devices are then shifted and coupled to new workpiece gripping devices supported on other holding pedestals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Leland D. Blatt
    Inventors: Leland D. Blatt, David J. Crorey
  • Patent number: 5222409
    Abstract: An articulated robot arm or the like comprising a base, an upper arm which is pivotally secured to the base at a shoulder joint, a lower arm pivotally secured to the upper arm at an elbow joint, and optionally a "hand" or tool support pivotally secured to the lower arm at a wrist joint. A parallelogram linkage controls the relative position of the upper arm, lower arm, and base. The linkage has first, second, third, and fourth links joined by pivots. The first link is a crank which is pivotally connected to the base by a first pivot which is coaxial with the shoulder pivot. The second link of the parallelogram linkage is parallel to the crank link, and is fixed with respect to the lower arm. The third and fourth links join the first and second links to complete the parallelogram. At least one of the third and fourth links is fixed to the upper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Sergei V. Dalakian
  • Patent number: 5219261
    Abstract: This is a top-lifting rotary loader and system especially suited for loading and unloading double stacking container well cars. This loader has a self-aligning loadspreader on a crane lift arm extended to revolve around and swing up and down from a vertical column. Each lift arm comprises a first parallelogram linkage with generally horizontally extending links to swing up and down from the column, and a second parallelogram linkage with generally vertical links pivotally attached to the outer lift end of the first linkage and extending to support a loadspreader free to turn thereon. The loadspreader has vertical alignment and coupling rods which turn the loadspreader to align and engage in pockets on the vehicles. A lift cylinder and/or cam track supports the arm to rotate on the column and set and pick up containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: Leonard D. Barry
  • Patent number: 5218876
    Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, has a three element pantographic linkage including a rigid control arm of which an intermediate point is constrained to move along a horizontal path. One end of the arm is pivotally mounted to an arm carrying the tiltable head, while the other end is pivotally mounted to a locating arm whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure. The relative angular position of the two arms is controlled by two parallelogram linkages with different degrees of fold and having the central arm in common, whereby one of the two linkages is always laterally spaced from the arm. Alternatively the two arms may be secured to respective sprockets pivoted to the arm and connected together by a chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Vinten Group PLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5213464
    Abstract: A highway marker manipulating apparatus comprising a pair of gripper wheels spaced apart to engage and apply pressure onto the side edges of the base flange of a highway marker. The wheels are spaced apart by a loading magazine between the wheels and directing the marker flanges into gripped engagement with the gripping faces of the opposing wheels; and a guide panel between the outer portions of the wheels to guide the flanges of the markers being retrieved off the pavement. A stripper guide is provided between the wheels for urging the flanges of the markers toward the outer periphery of the wheels as the flanges are also engaging the peripherally extending guide panels as to turn the markers and move the markers along the stripper bars which carry the markers to the upper periphery of the wheels. Stabilizing guides or runners are provided to be removably mounted at the lower portion of the gripper wheels to receive the flanges of dispensed markers therebeneath for stabilizing the markers on the pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: ADDCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Nicholson, Timothy J. Nicholson, Eugene H. Luoma
  • Patent number: 5209628
    Abstract: An apparatus for stowing and extending for removal a towing dolly used for towing automotive vehicles. The apparatus is formed from a generally vertical support stand which is secured to the bed of a towing vehicle. Pivotally connected to the support stand is a first arm having a range of motion extending from a near vertical storage position to a near horizontal load/unload position. Pivotally attached to the first arm is a second arm which is in a near vertical position during loading and remains in a near vertical position as the first arm is pivoted into the storage position, such that the two arms are now nearly parallel. This relationship is maintained by a gas spring pivotally connected to the support stand and the second arm such that the gas spring maintains a generally parallel configuration with the first arm. A dolly mount is attached to the end of the second arm for releasably securing a towing dolly to the vertical arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Curtis C. Hassell
  • Patent number: 5203837
    Abstract: A crane has a generally horizontally disposed main boom arm centrally pivotally mounted on a turret supported for rotation atop a central column. The main boom arm supports a load at one end and a counterweight at its other end. The main boom arm load support end has a depending vertical arm, linked in parallelogram fashion with the turret, and with a lower rotatable load carrying swing arm movable through a full 360.degree. arc without interference with the column and turret. The column may be mounted on a dolly. A rack and worm pinion arrangement are provided on either the main boom or the counterweight for adjusting the distance of the counterweight from the column and turret, thus to balance the crane in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventors: Bosko Madic, Vojislav Terzic
  • Patent number: 5201234
    Abstract: A support for holding and adjusting the vertical position of medical apparatus comprises a bearing housing (10), a pivot arm (11) which is preferably vertically pivotally hinged on the bearing housing (10) and is formed to carry an electromedical apparatus, and a motor (12) for the vertical pivoting of the pivot arm (11) which is arranged on the bearing housing (10), wherein a force transmitting device (13, 14, 15, 25) is provided between the motor (12) and the pivot arm (11) which converts the rotary movement of the motor (10) into a pivotal movement of the pivot arm (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Delma elektro-und medizinische Geraetebau Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Kurt Gull
  • Patent number: 5201235
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a linkage connectable between a frame and an attachment. The linkage is characterized as self-leveling, meaning that once an attitude or orientation of the attachment with respect to the ground is achieved, the linkage will maintain that attitude as the attachment is raised or lowered without additional operator input. A preferred linkage connectable between the frame of a loader vehicle and a loader bucket includes an arm pivotally connectable between the frame and bucket, a hydraulic lift cylinder pivotally connectable between the frame and arm for raising and lowering the arm and resultantly the bucket, an equalizer link pivotally connectable to the arm at the same location as the lift cylinder, a hydraulic tilt cylinder pivotally connectable between the bucket and one end portion of the equalizer link, and an equalizer bar pivotally connectable between the frame and the other end portion of the equalizer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn A. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5197846
    Abstract: A six-degree-of-freedom articulated robot mechanism includes a three-degree-of-freedom translation unit for adjusting the position. The translation unit includes an orientation maintaining mechanism which has a rotation articulation of the direct drive type connecting a drive motor directly to an arm, and a link mechanism. A three-degree-of-freedom rotation unit for adjusting the orientation includes three rotation articulators of the direct drive type connecting a drive motor directly to a table, and the axes of the three rotation articulators intersect one another at one point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Uno, Koichi Sugimoto, Ichiro Taniguchi, Katuhisa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5193882
    Abstract: In a portable unit having a generally horizontal frame, a container normally resting on the frame and pivotally connected at its rear of the frame for tilting upwardly and rearwardly toward a dumped position, the container having a door at its rear for loading and unloading material for opening when the container is in a dumped position, the improvement being a lift-and-tilt mechanism including a linkage pivotally connected at one end to the frame, and with a subframe unit interposed between the container and unit frame to support the container, with an inner end of the subframe unit pivotally connected to the linkage unit at an opposite end, whereby the linkage and subframe units are movable from a nested position substantially flat with the unit frame to a raised position with the linkage unit disposed substantially vertical, and with the subframe unit holding the container in a normally horizontal position, and with the container tiltable to its dumped position; and a power-operated unit for moving the lin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Paul M. Gamaldi
  • Patent number: 5193966
    Abstract: The feeding device (1) comprises two sliding rails (2, 3) arranged in parallel to each other and obliquely to the horizontal. The gap (5) between these rails can be adjusted to the diameter of the bolt blanks to be profiled. In order to be able to perform this adjustment of the gap (5) faster and more accurately, the sliding rails (2, 3) form a parallelogram-type linkage with traverses (10) located above these rails and obliquely to their longitudinal extension. The traverses (10) are attached to bars (9) rotatable in clamping sleeves (6, 7) and mounted so that they can be fixed in position. The clamping sleeves (7) on the movable sliding rail (3) are located, in the conveying direction of the feeding device (1), in front of those (6) on the fixed sliding rail (2), so that the width of the gap (5) is adjustable by pivoting the traverses (10). The device is utilized in machines for rolling thread or other peripheral profiling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: E. W. Menn GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Clemens Jung
  • Patent number: 5192179
    Abstract: Tilt linkage and lift arm systems by way of which implements including buckets, backhoes, grapples and forks and the like are mounted with respect to conventional load lifting vehicles including tractors, loaders, forklifts, bulldozers and the like wherein the tilt linkage members form at least two parallelograms having a common link through the lift arm(s) whereby the systems continuously and automatically level the implement as it is raised or lowered unless the tilt linkage is activated to change the pitch of the implement relative to the vehicle. In some embodiments more than one set of two or more parallel tilt linkages may be connected in end to end relationship between the vehicle and the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Geza Kovacs
  • Patent number: 5188499
    Abstract: A wafer handling apparatus having a variable pitch includes a supporting surface (12) for holding a boat (14) in a predetermined location. An elevator mechanism (20) is operable to move upward through the boat to lift wafers (16) upward into intermediate restraining combs (24) and (26). Combs (22) are disposed on the elevator mechanism (20) for holding the wafers (16) on the edges thereof. The combs (22) can have the pitch thereof varied by the operation of a cylinder (56). The combs (22) have two rotating brackets (42) and (40) disposed on the sides thereof. The brackets (42) and (40) are pivoted on an elevator bracket (28) at points (44) and (46). When the lower bracket (40) is reciprocated upward by the cylinder (56) and the associated rod (54), the space between the combs (22) decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mactronix
    Inventors: Jawhorng Tarng, John I. Lau