Abstract: A gripper for a remotely controlled material handling apparatus. The gripper includes two cooperatively movable gripping jaws engaged by the support arm of the material handling apparatus, and a control cable secured at one end to one of the pair of jaws and at the other end to the remote control apparatus to facilitate opening and closing of the jaws about an object of interest. The jaws are adapted for being secured to the support arm of the handling apparatus in either a horizontal gripping position or in a vertical gripping position.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically picking up and positioning packs of individual signatures comprises a rigid framework which defines a bridge crane including a pair of parallel fixed support rails for guidance of a pair of movable rails on which is slidably supported a transfer head assembly including a jaw assembly having two jaws which can be moved towards or away from one another to pick up or release packs of signatures. The jaw assembly is movable up or down with respect to that part of the transfer head assembly mounted on the rails of the bridge crane, and is automatically controlled by a microprocessor to pick up a pack of signatures from a stack on a pallet, transport the pack to a treatment station, rotate it about a vertical axis to orientate it correctly before lowering, release it and then move to another stack to load a different treatment station.

Abstract: Improved compound gripper device particularly useful with laboratory glassware and suitable for use with low or high gripping forces. When gripping forces are high, external gripper member is displaced into a resilient gripping pad which pad is of the type which provides the high-friction gripping force. On release of the gripping force, the external member is released and serves as a means to provide positive displacement of the object being held from the resilient, high-friction, gripping element.

Abstract: A gripper for holding a manufactured part in a X-ray inspection system. The gripper includes a stationary jaw, a slidable jaw, a gripper base, a wear plate, a centering bushing an end plate, and a cam actuated spring mechanism for opening and closing the jaws. Both jaws are removable and adjustable in a keyway. Set screws are used to hold the jaws in place for a predetermined separation and allows a part to be positioned off center. The removable aspect allows for various jaw configurations. The centering bushing includes a cam shaped opening for accepting an end of an pneumatic activated ball plunger of a numerically controlled part manipulator. The centering bushing aligns the gripper to the longitudinal axis of the part manipulator.

Abstract: A printed circuit board, load-unload system which has a printed circuit board processing portion; a magazine stock portion where a plurality of magazines, each of which houses a plurality of printed circuit boards, is arranged on a conveyor route; and a load-unload portion where one of the plurality of printed circuit boards is transferred between one of the plurality of the magazines in the magazine stock portion and the printed circuit board processing portion. The conveyor route of the stock portion includes a bypass route which bypasses the load-unload portion.

Abstract: A parallel robotic gripper is illustrated having a vertically moveable member for opening and closing parallel gripping members which are carried on master jaws having lateral longitudinally extending slots therein for minimizing machining necessary to provide effective mounting for the slideable master jaws on longitudinally aligned horizontally spaced rails.

Abstract: An exchangeable multiple function end effector tool suitable for use on the distal end of a robotic end effector includes, in combination; a mechanism for removably affixing the multiple function end effector tool onto a pair of extending fingers provided on a robotic end effector. The multiple function tool is provided with a first gripping device for acquiring a first element or component and releasably retaining it and further incorporates a second gripping device which is capable of acquiring a second element or component and releasably retaining it in the tool. Provision is made for engaging and disengaging the elements either separately or in unison. Movement, assembly or disassembly of the elements remains a function of the end effector and its control mechanisms.

Abstract: A system for producing confectionary products, especially lollipops, is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of molds mounted on a conveyor belt assembly. A dispensing means adapted for injecting a predetermined quantity of fluid into each of the molds is positioned proximate the belt. A stick handle inserter for receiving a plurality of elongated sticks, and thereafter inserting a single handle into each of the fluid retaining molds, is positioned adjacent the belt either before or after the dispensing means. A cooling means for cooling the viscous fluid to aid in its solidification is associated with the belt. A transfer means positioned proximate the belt is adapted to remove the finished confectionary product from the mold and thereafter transfer that product to a station for wrapping.

Abstract: An end of arm tool attached to the fingers of a robot gripper, and having a first band and a pair of bands extending at right angles respectively from a first and second clamp attached to the respective fingers of the gripper, the first bands and the pair of bands being interleaved to provide a large common area defined between the bands when the fingers are brought together and centering and grasping an object disposed therein when the fingers are moved away from the another.

Abstract: A wide-throw parallel-action gripper of the split-rail design is disclosed. The gripper includes a pair of preloaded linear bearings which engage the outward surfaces of each rail and two roller bearings spaced on either side of a pinion, all mounted onto a pinion shaft, which engage the inward sides of each rail. A single finger is mounted at opposed ends of each rail and an actuator is connected either to one of the rails or to the central pinion. The actuators can include a pneumatic cylinder of electrical stepping motors or D.C. servo motors.

Abstract: A robot gripping device 10 for holding and gripping a variety of electronic components. The robot gripping device comprises a guide frame 12, a drive motor 34 and gripping blocks 24, 26 having fingers 42, 44. Finger 42 has prongs 66, 68 and 70 on fingertip 60. Finger 44 has prongs 76 and 78 on fingertip 62. The fingertips 60, 62 accommodate axial resistor-type components at v-grooves 80 and radial capacitor-type components are accommodated by fingertip portions 82, 84, 85 and 86. Cylindrical can shaped components are accommodated by a slight beveling at fingertip portions 82, 84, 85 and 86 as well as a set back of portion 83 on prong 68. The fingers are capable of controlled movements to various centered positions by means of motor 34. When the fingers are brought together they interlock.

Abstract: The present invention provides an end of arm tooling device (EOAT) for a robotic arm. The present invention may be adjusted to modify the gripping force exerted by the EOAT without a change of force by the actuator. The present invention also provides an EOAT which can be adjusted to handle workpieces of various dimensions and shapes.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuated cam driven parallel gripper includes a supporting bracket adapted for attachment to the end of an arm of a robot or a pick and place system. A cam comprising a cylindrical member is supported for rotation in the bracket and has at its outer periphery diametrically opposed pins, with a lever attached to the cam. A pneumatic actuator is coupled to the lever and adapted to rotate the lever and cam between a first and second position. First and second slides with attachable fingers are supported for sliding movement on shafts extending from the two sides of the brackets. First and second compliant arms have one end attached to one of the pins on the cam cylinder and another end attached to one of the slides for converting rotation of the cylindrical member into linear movement of the slides.

Abstract: Gripper apparatus for stacking a batch of sheets, for example glass sheets, comprises a gripper head having a sheet support for movement to grip the batch of sheets. A roller stop at the bottom of the sheet support engages behind one side of the batch and at least one clamp is movable to grip the batch against the support between that clamp and the stop. Tilting members at the bottom of the support are operable, when the support is in a substantially vertical position, to lift the batch over the roller stop as it is stacked.

Abstract: In the commercial production of licorice bites, each about 1 inch long, a group of extruded 54-inch licorice strips are lifted by a programmable controlled robot from the discharge end of a lower conveyor and deposited at the input end of an upper conveyor which carries the strips to a cutting station. The robot hand has a lower stainless steel blade for insertion under the group of licorice strips to wedge the sticky strips from a board on which they are being carried by the lower conveyor. The robot hand includes an upper bar having a food-grade rubber undersurface. The bar is lowered relative to the blade after insertion of the blade under the licorice strips, thereby clamping the strips between the lowered bar and the blade. The arm of the robot then lifts the hand and clamped group of licorice strips and deposits the front ends of the strips at the input of the upper conveyor.

Abstract: A gripper has n pseudospherical contact pads providing a point contact with an object to be gripped. The sum of the degrees of liberty existing between the object and each of the pads taken separately is less than, or preferably equal to, 6(n-1)-1. Moreover, the assembly constituted by the object, the pads, the fingers and the frame is isotatic, which means that the total number of degrees of liberty of this assembly is strictly equal to 6(n-1). Strain gauges placed on the fingers permit determining the tensor of the efforts exerted by the object on the gripper. An orientation of the object gripped can be accomplished by providing the pads with additional degrees of liberty controlled by independent actuators.

Abstract: A hazardous material handling apparatus capable of being remotely controlled so as to allow the operator to safely handle hazardous materials. The apparatus utilizes electric motors in order to provide for three-dimensional movement of the gripper. A television camera and remotely located television monitor may be utilized in order to facilitate remote control of the apparatus. A manually operated gripper is provided to allow for simple and inexpensive construction.

Abstract: A casing stabbing apparatus which includes a derrick bracket subassembly for attachment to a brace of a derrick, and a boom having an end pivotally connected to the bracket assembly for pivotation about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis. A pair of arcuate casing gripping jaws is pivotally connected to the second end of the boom. A piston and cylinder assembly extends between the jaws to selectively converge and diverge the jaws. A second piston and cylinder assembly extends between the bracket assembly and the boom to elevate the boom by pivotation about a horizontal pivotal axis. A third piston and cylinder assembly extends between the bracket assembly and the boom to swing the boom laterally in pivotation about a vertical axis.

Abstract: An artificial hand comprises a palm member and thumb and finger members movable towards and away from one another by an actuator. A cosmesis covering the actuator has a touch sensor in a cavity of the cosmesis that deforms on contact with an object. The cavity is connected via a conduit with a microphone that picks up pressure waves resulting from stick/slip motion of the object along the surface of the cosmesis. The distance between the thumb and finger members is determined by a position sensor, and muscle sensor means responsive to contraction of first and second muscle groups supplies position and control signals in first and second channels.

Abstract: An automatic centering and gripping apparatus which includes a housing in which is slidably mounted a longitudinally movable operator body. A pair of gripper arms are slidably mounted on the operator body. Each gripper arm carries a gripper member engageable with a workpiece. The gripper members are moved longitudinally and laterally into gripping engagement with a workpiece when the operator body is moved in one longitudinal direction, and they are correspondingly disengaged from the workpiece when the operator body is moved in the other longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus which includes a housing in which is slidably mounted a longitudinally movable gripper operator. A pair of gripper arms are rollably mounted on the gripper operator. Each gripper arm carries a gripper jaw engageable with a workpiece. The gripper jaws are moved along straight line travel paths into gripping engagement with a workpiece when the gripper operator is moved in one longitudinal direction, and they are disengaged correspondingly from the workpiece when the gripper operator is moved in the other longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus including a housing in which is slidably mounted a longitudinally movable operator body. A pair of gripper arms are slidably mounted on the operator body. Each gripper arm carries a gripper jaw engageable with a workpiece. The gripper jaws are moved along straight line travel paths into gripping engagement with a workpiece when the operator body is moved in one longitudinal direction, and they are correspondingly disengaged from the workpiece when the operator body is moved in the other longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A gripper system for a programmable manipulator includes a gripper arm (10) and an assembly station for holding a finger element (2) releaseably for mounting on the arm. The finger element (2) is held by latches (21, 22) against a tray (20) of the station which can be displaced with respect to a rack plate (1) of the station. The arm is conditioned to move on a predetermined path with respect to the station so that cooperative parts (3, 11) of the arm and a finger element, held at the station, become inter-engaged. When the finger element and the arm are inter-engaged movement of the arm relative to the station causes the finger element to be released. The gripper comprises an arm and a finger element dedicated to a specific handling task. The arm and the finger element have cooperable parts which are inter-engageable to mount the finger element detachably on the arm.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for incorporation in a programmable machine comprises a gripper having a peripheral portion defining a plurality of different shaped object-receiving recesses therein, a member for supporting the gripper, an arrangement for securing the gripper to the supporting member for rotation relative thereto, and apparatus responsive to an electrical signal for rotating the gripper relative to the supporting member. A programmable machine incorporating two such gripper assemblies is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robotic gripper tool pivots under the force of gravity to orient itself to enable the actuation of a selected gripping surface. The self-pivoting action is accomplished solely by the force of gravity acting upon the mass distribution of the tool with respect to the pivot axis of the tool. Several different gripping surfaces are provided on the tool whereby time consuming tool changes are substantially eliminated. The gripper tool is pivotally connected to a robotic arm. By pitching the robotic arm, the self-pivoting tool will be positioned by the gravitational force acting upon it.

Abstract: A robotic hand is provided with an array of movable spring loaded fingers and an assembly opposed to the fingers. An object to be grasped by the hand is pushed by the assembly toward and into contact with the fingers. An electrical signal is produced when each finger is contacted by the object. The time intervals between various finger contacts are measured and used to calculate the distance that the object moved during those intervals. These distances provide information about the shape of the object which can be used to differentiate between objects of various shapes.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling different size parts in a vertical assembly is provided which includes a pair of fingers attached to and extending from the gripper of a manipulator in parallel relationship and moveable toward and away from one another under control of the gripper. Different diameter curved outer sections extend around the periphery of and are stepped along the length of the fingers. The smallest diameter curved section is located at the outer end of the fingers and successively wider diameter sections are located along the fingers as the inner end is approached. One of the predetermined diameter sections has a predetermined slope, each part to be assembled has an opening therein of a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of a section of the fingers along the length thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for adjoining the two ends of a length of impact printer ribbon to form a continuous loop of ribbon within a ribbon cartridge. A welding fixture includes a plate, alignment guide bars defining crisscrossed alignment paths for the ribbon ends, clamps for securing the ribbon ends within the alignment paths, and a cutter mechanism for precisely cutting the ribbon. The fixture further includes mechanical means for manipulating the ribbon during the welding process. The apparatus and method of the present invention enables the ribbon welding process to be streamlined and the precision to be greatly improved.

Abstract: An exchangeable multiple function end effector tool suitable for use on the distal end of a robotic end effector includes, in combination; a device for removably affixing the multiple function and effector tool onto a pair of extending fingers provided on a robotic end effector. The multiple function tool is provided with an apparatus for acquiring a first element or component and releasably retaining same and further incorporates a second gripping device which is capable of acquiring a second element or component and releasably retaining same in the tool. Provision is made for engaging and disengaging the elements either separately or in unison. Movement, assembly or disassembly of the elements remains a function of the end effector and its control mechanisms.

Abstract: A dual axis gripper for use with a robot arm having a rotatable wrist is provided with a first and second gripper. A bracket couples the first gripper to the robot arm in line with an axis about which one form of robot wrist rotation occurs. The bracket also couples a second gripper to the robot arm perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The wrist rotation also includes rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. Both the grippers are provided with a fixed jaw and a linearly actuated movable jaw so that both grippers form compliant type grippers. By rotating the grippers through the first axis of rotation and about the second axis of rotation, the two grippers may interchange positions and are capable of moving parts between any locations within a defined work envelope adjacent the end of the robot arm.

Abstract: A releasable tool holder (75) for quickly interchanging tools usable by a conventional robot (50) having one or more articulatable arms (60, 65, 70). The tool holder (75) is mounted to an arm (70) of the robot (50) and is provided with a plurality of variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) capable of engaging a surface (215) of a ring (205) mounting a preselected tool. A fluid motor (95) is connected to a translatable center link (105) that is pivotably attached to the variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) whereby when the motor (95) causes the link (105) to translate, the variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) engage the surface (215) of the tool mounting ring (205). A novel tool mounting ring (205) and a releasable fluid coupling (125) are also provided.

Abstract: A self-service apparatus is provided to be operated by a user for selectively serving foods or drinks. The self-service apparatus includes a support and a cover fixedly supported by the support for covering foods and drinks. A shaft is suspended from the support, and a rotary disk is rotatably mounted on the shaft to be rotated about the shaft upon actuation of a lever. Servers are carried by the rotary disk and hold a food portion or drink. A desired food portion or drink may be selectively served to the user by operating the lever at a desired position.

Abstract: Three sets of pincer units depend from a flat palm, each pincer unit having a pinching gap at its distal end for engaging a loaded circuit board by its edges and holding it in a spaced-apart relationship with the palm. Each pincer unit includes a finger having a flange at its distal end and a thumb slideably mounted on the finger so as to define a variable pinching gap. The fingers are mounted for prehensiling movement away from one another for bracketing a board to be picked up and toward one another so that the board to be picked up may be squeezed between them.The invention includes a method for picking up a loaded circuit board which involves bracketing a board to be picked up between a set of pincer units, squeezing the board by moving the pincer units toward one another against opposing edges of the board while simultaneously pinching each edge engaged with the pincer units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robotic head that includes a pair of fingers that are adapted to be moved back and forth in parallel relationship between closed and open positions. In addition there is provided a group of interchangeable fingertip sets, with each fingertip set being formed to retrieve and hold a certain size or shaped object. Each fingertip set can be automatically attached and detached from the fingers of the robotic head. In particular, at one single work station, the robotic head through appropriate programming can automatically interchange fingertip sets such that the same robotic head can retrieve and set various types and sizes of elements or parts at one single work station.

Abstract: A gripping arrangement, particularly for manipulators, tool exchange devi and the like, has a housing, a guide provided in the housing, and two gripping fingers having gripping ends and moveable along the guide of the housing in a translatory reciprocating movement between a gripping position in which the gripping ends receive and hold an object therebetween and the gripping ends extend outwardly beyond the housing, and a releasing position in which the gripping ends release the object and gripping fingers are withdrawn substantially completely into and without projecting beyond the housing, the guide includes arcuate guiding tracks and guiding elements guided in and along the latter so that the movement of the gripping fingers includes a rectilinear component extending in a direction toward the object to be gripped and a transverse component extending transverse to the first component and in a direction toward the object to be gripped, whereby each of the gripping fingers during its movement from the releasi

Abstract: The invention is a system for the assembly of wire harnesses. More particularly the invention provides an assembly tool and a wire feed system for delivering a completed wire from a wire fabrication cell to the final wire harness assembly point. The assembly tool consists of two symmetrical parts which function together in jaw-like fashion to receive and then guide a wire to an assembly point. Each half of the assembly tool is double-ended, so that the wire may be inserted from either the left or right half of the assembly tool. The wire feed system includes a wire tensioning and centering tool mounted on the end effector and a pneumatically driven wire feed system. Back pressure is used to effectively blow the wire from a first point remote from the assembly point to the gripper for acquisition by the gripper.

Abstract: A gripper pad or gripper tool changer for a multi-axis manipulator is provided which is capable of automatically attaching in locked position a selected pair of a plurality of gripper pads or tools to the fingers of a gripper. Each pair of gripper pads or tools are mounted in a holder mechanism which is attached to a surface within the work envelope of the manipulator. The pairs of gripper pads or tools are picked up from the holder and attached and locked to the gripper fingers by controlled movement of the manipulator. A pair of gripper pads or tools are returned to the holder by controlled maneuvering of the gripper into the holder such that unlocking means associated therewith provide unlocking of the gripper pads or tools from the gripper fingers so that the gripper pads or tools can be detached from the gripper fingers. Error detection of missing or displaced finger tools in a pickup operation is provided.

Abstract: An end effector suitable for use on a robotic arm associated therewith and coupled to a computer includes a universal mounting plate permitting the end effector to be mounted on the distal end of a robotic arm; a gripper mechanism slideably retained within the end effector is responsive to electronic command signals permitting the finger members disposed therein to cooperate with and removably retain a plurality of tools and components upon receiving computer controlled electronic command signal. The electronic command signal controls the driving power from a power source which is coupled to the end effector.

Abstract: A robotic system for handling components such as wire leads is disclosed. The system includes a multi-axis programmable machine, often referred to as a robot, to manipulate a chuck mechanism to acquire components such as a lead wire for example and position this wire in a desired predetermined location. Typical applications include the insertion of wires having a connector pin into a multi-pin connector.

Abstract: A robot hand to be joined in use to the free end of an industrial robot wrist unit (10) is provided with a right and left work gripping units (28b and 28a) having pairs of work gripping fingers (30b and 30a), respectively, and separately disposed on the right and the left sides of a hand base, and an offset adjusting mechanism (34, 36, 40 and 42) for fastening the hand base with fastening means after the completion of the lateral adjustment of the hand base by a desired degree with respect to the wrist unit (10).

Abstract: A robot hand for lifting an apertured panel includes a pair of tong fingers pivotally mounted upon a housing having a locating face. The tong fingers have opposed facing knuckles including a circular cylindrical wall portion adjacent the pivot and spherical cam faces adjacent the distal ends. An air cylinder operated toggle linkage moves the tong arms between a pinched together position contracting the tong finger knuckles for insertion through the aperture of the apertured panel and spread apart positions in which the circular cylindrical wall portions engage the aperture walls to locate the panel in the longitudinal and transverse directions and the spherical cam faces engage with the underside of the panel and lift the panel against the locating face of the housing.

Abstract: A versatile robotic gripper is easily and quickly adjusted to grip objects of different geometrical shapes without changing parts and under complete machine control. Opposing jaws have a matrix of axially movable pins each of which is mechanically locked in any axial position. Actuation of an operating mechanism to move the jaws together to grasp an object depresses the pins and they collectively conform to the shape of the object; the jaws retain this shape upon release of the object. A plate is raised to unlock the pins which are returned by springs to a fixed coplanar position.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for remotely positioning, connecting, and generally andling components in a hot cell of a reprocessing plant for spent nuclear fuels. The apparatus includes a housing mounting a first stationary clamp for holding one end of a pipe and a second movable clamp for holding the end of a second pipe to be welded to the first. By adjusting the movable clamp, the pipe therein can be aligned with the pipe in the stationary clamp. The movable clamp can be moved longitudinally to press the pipe ends together, upwardly to compensate for pipe out of round, and can be tilted where pipes are to be joined at an angle. The adjustment permits accurate alignment of the parts. A tool support is rotatably mounted on said stationary clamp to permit welding or other processing through 360.degree..

Abstract: A device for operating a hand of an industrial robot is so constructed that fluid pressure cylinders (43, 44) are provided as a driving mechanism of the hand (4) of the industrial robot, branch passages including a pressure-reducing valve (47) are provided in a fluid supply passage to the fluid pressure cylinders (43, 44), the supply of fluid is switched by solenoid valves (SV.sub.2, SV.sub.3, SV.sub.4), and the switching of the solenoid valves (SV.sub.2, SV.sub.3, SV.sub.4) is carried out in accordance with the selected grasping force which has been selected in the teaching mode of the industrial robot, whereby the grasping force of the hand can be controlled stepwisely.

Abstract: This gripper is applicable more particularly to textile machines and includes a gripping clamp and an apparatus for opening and closing the clamp. The clamp proper includes a fixed central member provided laterally and on either side with a resilient portion, two arms crossing each other for constituting a pair of gripping jaws, each arm being provided with a key preferably in the outer extension of the resilient portion. The opening and closing apparatus includes a pair of vertically movable fingers, by reason of one per arm, which are adapted in their lower position to depress the keys in order to cause the distortion of the resilient portions and thus modify the degree of crossing of the jaw forming portions.

Abstract: A crusher for concrete structures, having a head carried by a traveling carrier, a rotating base supported by the head concentrically therewith for rotation relative thereto, a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally supported at ends by the rotating base and symmetrically disposed, a pair of jaw members pivotally supported by the rotating base and symmetrically disposed, and click-stop means provided between the head and the rotating base, the hydraulic cylinders being drivingly coupled to the respective jaw members. The rotating base and the head are coupled to each other by a rotative coupling arrangement comprising first and second disc members disposed in face-to-face engagement with each other, synthetic resin-made bearing members, and stopper means for preventing disengagement of the second disc member from the first disc member.

Abstract: In a robot machine, a hand is rotatably mounted on one end of an arm. The hand is provided with two sets of grasping units each including a pair of opposed fingers which are used to grasp or release an article, for example, a workpiece to be machined by a machine tool. A piston-cylinder assembly is provided for rotating the hand through a ninety degree angle.

Abstract: A robot hand of an industrial robot used as a manipulating device of a bar-like workpiece having a pair of gripping members attached to a base member and arranged so as to be slid toward and away from one another so that an appropriate distance between the pair of gripping members is established depending on the difference of lengths of workpieces to be gripped by the gripping members of the robot hand.

Abstract: A hand (34) of an industrial robot for gripping a workpiece (14) and the like comprising: a hand base plate member (36) connected to a wrist portion (32); a plurality of pairs of opening and closing gripping fingers (38a and 38b, 38d) arranged on the palm face (36a) of the hand base plate member (36), and; an actuator (48 or 48') being arranged for each pair of the opening and closing fingers (38a and 38b, 38c and 38d) to actuate the fingers. The hand (34) is capable of securely and stably holding a workpiece having a heavy weight and/or an angular shape, or other complicated shape.