US 2026/0034623 A1Published application

Modular self-configuring industrial table

AssigneeEmi Integrated Systems Ltd.

InventorJoshua Ulmer

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Abstract

A modular tabletop apparatus, typically used for workpiece storage and handling during robotic manipulation and feeding to a machine, is disclosed. Modules of the apparatus comprise detection interfaces disposed at locations corresponding to module edge locations and arranged in a periodic grid. Alignment of facing detection interfaces along common edges of pairs of adjacent modules permits module controllers to detect neighboring modules, and a main controller to compute the overall size and shape of the tabletop formed by the modules. Connecting arrangements are also disclosed. The connecting arrangements may be placed at the same grid locations as the detection interfaces, advantageously permitting alignment of detection interfaces for any interconnection configuration of modules. Modules may comprise plates with a grid of positioning indentations. The period of the positioning grid can be an integer multiple or integer fraction of that of the interface/connection grid.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A modular, self-configuring tabletop apparatus comprising

a. two or more modules configured to form a tessellation when placed in a side-by-side arrangement;
each said module comprising:
(i) edges oriented in one or more dimensions;
(ii) one or more detection interfaces disposed along said edges at interface locations and configured to form facing pairs with detection interfaces of an adjacent module;
and
(iii) the interface locations periodically spaced by a location period of each of the one or more dimensions, wherein a tessellation extent of each said edge in each said dimension is an integer multiple of the location periods of said dimension;
and
b. a main controller configured to:
receive at least one of the following indications:
(i) the position of a first detection interface on a first module in relation to a second detection interface on a second module;
(ii) the position of said second detection interface on said second module;
and
(iii) the tessellation extents of said first module and of said second module in said one or more dimensions;
and
compute, as a function of said indications, at least one of
(i) an overall size of said tessellation;
(ii) an overall shape of said tessellation;
or
(iii) an orientation between two or more of said modules.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/302,044Filed 17 Aug 2025
Priority: 11 Apr 2022
Published: 5 Feb 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

B23Q 1/74
Auxiliary arrangements; Interconnections between auxiliary tables and movable machine elements: auxiliary tables
A47B 1/02
Extensible tables: with insertable leaves arranged in the centre and fixed frames
B23Q 1/032
Stationary work or tool supports: characterised by properties of the support surface
B23Q 17/007
Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools: for managing machine functions not concerning the tool

Family

Application17/717,508Division · filed 11 Apr 2022
Application19/302,044Division
US 2022/0274218 A1Published application
US 2026/0034623 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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