US 5,181,824 AGranted

Variable width and length holding and size sensing device for a dual axis translation mechanism

AssigneeEureka Acquisition Corp.

InventorHoward C. Thomas

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Abstract

A dual axis translation mechanism for holding and moving an object of variable dimension to a position defined by first and second axis. The mechanism includes a frame, a carriage mounted on the frame for movement with respect to the frame in the first axis, and an object holding means coupled with the carriage for holding and moving the object with respect to the carriage in the second axis. A motor selectively drives a first shaft and a drive/brake assembly provides a second shaft which, in a drive mode of the assembly is driven synchronously with the first shaft and, which in a brake mode of the assembly is held non-driven while the first shaft is being driven. First and second endless belts are mounted for rotating movement within the frame and extend in a direction parallel to the first axis. The first and second belts are coupled to the first and second shafts, respectively, for receiving selective rotational movement therefrom, with the first belt also being coupled to the object holding means for causing selective movement of the object in a direction parallel to the second axis and the second belt being coupled with the carriage for causing selective movement of the carriage in a direction parallel to the first axis. The object holding means comprises as lead-screw having an end coupled to receive rotational movement in response to rotation of the first belt, and carries first and second nuts thereon, which are coupled to the first and second clamp arms, respectively.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A mechanism for selective grasping and translation of an object to a position defined by first and second axes, comprising:

a frame;
a carriage mounted on said frame via a first guide means for movement of said carriage with respect to said frame along a first axis;
a holder for selectively grasping said object;
intermediate mounting means coupled with said holder and said carriage for mounting said holder on said carriage via a second guide means for movement of said holder with respect to said carriage along a second axis which is different from said first axis;
a motor means for selectively driving a first belt;
a drive/brake assembly coupled to said motor means for selectively driving a second belt which, in a drive mode of said assembly is driven synchronously with said first belt and, which in a brake mode of said assembly is held non-driven while said first belt is being driven;
and
said first belt being coupled to the second guide means of said intermediate mounting means for selectively moving said object holder in a direction parallel to said second axis in response to movement of said first belt and said second belt being coupled with said carriage for selectively moving said carriage in a direction parallel to said first axis in response to movement of said second belt;
wherein,
said object holder comprises first and second clamp arms;
the second guide means of said intermediate mounting means comprises a lead-screw having an end coupled to receive rotational movement from said first belt, and carries first and second nuts thereon, which nuts are coupled to said first and second clamp arms, respectively;
and
said first nut being threaded onto the lead screw and non-rotatably attached to the first clamp arm for preventing rotation of the first nut with respect to the first clamp arm, and said second nut being rotatably attached to the second clamp arm for permitting the second nut to at least selectively rotate with respect to the second clamp arm, whereby the spacing between said clamp arms is selectively controlled to cause said clamp arms to grasp and thereafter translate said object along said second axis.

10 more elements

An apparatus for grasping and translating an object to positions defined by first and second axes, comprising:

a frame;
a carriage mounted on said frame for movement along said first axis;
a holder mounted on said carriage for movement relative to said carriage along said second axis, said holder having a pair of adjustably spaced apart first and second clamp arms for grasping objects of variable size;
a first translation mechanism coupled to said holder for selectively moving said holder along said second axis;
a second translation mechanism coupled to said carriage for selectively moving said carriage along said first axis;
and
a control mechanism coupled to said holder for selectively controlling the spacing between said clamp arms for causing said arms to grasp and thereafter translate said object along said second axis, said control mechanism including a lead screw coupled to and rotatably driven by said first translation mechanism and extending in the direction of said second axis, said holder including means forming first and second threaded openings which couple said first and second clamp arms, respectively, to said lead screw, and whereby rotation of said lead screw causes said holder and clamp arms to move along the length of said lead screw.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.