Apparatus for carrying and placing components

An apparatus for carrying and placing components, comprising:

• a body frame fixed at a position;
• a rod means movably supported on said body frame for movement in the vertical and horizontal directions;
• a moving means connected to said rod means for moving said rod means in the horizontal direction;
• a further moving means connected to said rod means for moving said rod means in the vertical direction;
• a suction tool on the lower end of said rod means for picking up a component;
• suction means connected to said suction tool for supplying a vacuum to said suction tool when the suction tool is carrying a component;
• at least one pair of positioning pawls rotatably mounted on said rod means and having free ends for grasping and positioning a component therebetween when the free ends are moved toward each other;
• and
• a means for rotating said positioning pawls in synchronization with the movement of said rod means and having a first spring connected between the pawls in each pair and urging the free ends of said pawls toward each other, a pawl supporting member slidable on said rod means, a second spring engaging said pawl supporting member and urging the pawl supporting members and pawls along said rod means in the axial direction thereof toward said suction tool, and at least one pin on said rod means and engaged by said pawls as said pawls move toward said suction tool for urging said pawls apart to move the free ends away from each other against the action of said first spring, whereby said pawls have the free ends apart when the suction tool on the rod means is in the lowered position for picking up or positioning a component, and when said rod means is moved to the raised position, said free ends are moved together by said first spring for engaging the free ends with a component picked up by said suction tool from opposite directions for properly positioning the component on said suction tool.