Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hook – hoistline – or grab type – Locking device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-01-23
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hook, hoistline, or grab type
Locking device
C294S115000, C901S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176532
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to gripper assemblies for gripping and releasing a workpiece, and more particularly to fluid powered gripper assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gripper assemblies are used for handling and transporting parts, often in conjunction with automated pneumatically powered robotics type machinery. Examples of prior attempts at gripper assemblies are illustrated in Borcea et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,998 and Borcea et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,948. As is typical, the gripper assembly includes a housing and a plurality of arms (typically two or three arms) that are movable towards and away from each other relative to the body. The arms are typically either pivotably connected to the housing for pivoting movement about a pivot axis or slidably mounted for linear reciprocation towards and away from each other. An actuating mechanism, usually in the form of a pneumatically powered piston, is mounted in the housing for reciprocating the arms towards and away from each other.
Gripper assemblies are off-shelf-components that are selected for use in a wide range of machine applications. Gripper assemblies are preferably compact so to prevent interference with other moving parts in a working machine incorporating the gripper assembly. It is often desirable to perform work on the workpiece while the workpiece is being held between the arms of a gripper assembly. One problem with prior gripper assemblies in certain applications is that there is not a highly reliable method for determining whether a part is held and/or properly held by a gripper assembly. Yet another problem with prior gripper assemblies is that it has been relatively difficult to perform certain work on a workpiece held by a gripper assembly. It may be necessary to configure the machine utilizing the gripper assembly in a less desirable and/or more costly manner to accomplish the desired work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the main objective of the present invention to provide a more practical gripper assembly.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a gripper assembly that can be more easily adapted for machine applications.
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a fluid powered gripper assembly with a cavity in the body between the gripper arms. The cavity allows the gripper assembly to be more readily adapted for a wider variety of applications. For example, the cavity may be used to house a proximity sensor which determines whether a workpiece is properly held between gripper arms. The cavity may also be used to provide clearance for receiving such things as the valve stem of a workpiece extending upwards into the housing.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the cavity is a through hole extending completely through two opposing sides of the housing. The through hole may be used to receive a proximity sensor or other sensor for communicating with a workpiece held between gripper arms. The through hole may alternatively be used for receiving a predetermined size part therethrough. The part can then be mounted to the top side of a workpiece while it is held between the gripper arms. The through hole may also alternatively be used for receiving a tool such as a screwdriver therethrough for working a top portion of a workpiece held between gripper arms. In any event, the actual application of the through hole will depend upon the use of the gripper assembly. It is an advantage that the through hole makes the gripper assembly much more adaptable for machine applications.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fluid powered gripper assembly comprises a housing which includes a body defining a cylindrical piston chamber, a cover which encloses the piston chamber and a sleeve extending through the body and the cover to provide a through hole extending through respective sides of the cover plate and body. A cylindrical piston is mounted for reciprocation in the piston chamber for movement along a linear axis. The piston receives the sleeve therethrough to accommodate the through hole while providing sufficient force to actuate the gripper arms. The gripper arms are drivingly connected to the piston through a linkage whereby the gripper arms pivot towards and away from each other about respective pivot axis. The piston receives power from pneumatic inlet and outlet ports disposed on the body and cover.
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patent: 5967581 (1999-10-01), Bertini
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Kramer Dean J.
Leydig Voit & Mayer Ltd
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