Workpiece loader assembly
OwnerEvan D. Boldt, Eliot Stepka +2inventors
InventorsEvan D. Boldt, Eliot Stepka, Jim Moscato, Rich Ebner
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Abstract
Various embodiments of loader assemblies are disclosed for controlling the translational and rotational movement of a workpiece. One or more pairs of offset compound wheels are configured to support and control a workpiece. In one configuration, a left-handed mecanum wheel is paired with an offset right-handed mecanum wheel. By rotating offset compound wheels independently of each other, the workpiece can be made to move forward or backward, and at the same time have an independently controlled clockwise or counterclockwise rotational motion.
Claims20
A loader assembly, the loader assembly comprising:
- a first left mecanum wheel configured to rotate about a first axis;
- a second left mecanum wheel configured to rotate about the first axis;
- a first right mecanum wheel offset from the first left mecanum wheel and configured to rotate about a second axis that is substantially parallel to and offset from the first axis;
- a second right mecanum wheel offset from the second left mecanum wheel and configured to rotate about the second axis;
- a left mecanum drive motor coupled to a left drive shaft, the left drive shaft coupled to the first left mecanum wheel and the second left mecanum wheel;
- a right mecanum drive motor coupled to a right drive shaft, the right drive shaft coupled to the first right mecanum wheel and the second right mecanum wheel;
- wherein the left drive shaft and the right drive shaft are substantially parallel.
A method of controlling the movement of a workpiece, the method comprising:
- positioning an elongated workpiece to rest on a plurality of left compound wheels and a plurality of right compound wheels offset from the plurality of left compound wheels, such that the elongated workpiece is in substantial contact with each of the plurality of left compound wheels and the plurality of right compound wheels, and such that the elongated workpiece has an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the plurality of left compound wheels, and such that the elongated workpiece has an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the plurality of right compound wheels;
- rotating the plurality of left compound wheels;
- rotating the plurality of right compound wheels independently of the plurality of left compound wheels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.