Load balancing manipulator
OwnerBronislav Vatelinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A load balancing manipulator is disclosed which allows the user great flexibility in moving heavy objects from place to place. The invention is supported on a base having an upstanding post to which is attached a pivoting arm having a second pivoting arm attached at a distal end of the first-mentioned arm. At the end of the second arm, a load manipulator is provided including a pneumatic cylinder-piston arrangement and a sleeve actuator for switches which, when closed, activate solenoid valves which control supply and exhaust of air to and from the cylinder, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, an electromagnet is used to hold a load in place. Battery back-up and load safety mechanism for the electromagnet are also provided.
Claims14
A load balancing manipulator, comprising:
- a) a base carrying a support;
- b) a pneumatic cylinder vertically mounted on said support and receiving a piston carrying a downwardly extending piston rod carrying a control mechanism rod;
- c) an end effector mounted on an end of said control mechanism rod distal from said piston;
- d) a first solenoid actuated valve controlling supply of air to said cylinder and a second solenoid actuated valve controlling exhaust of air from said cylinder;
- e) an actuator for said valves comprising:
- i) an elongated sleeve surrounding a portion of said control mechanism rod adjacent said end effector;
- ii) a first switch for said first solenoid valve and a second switch for said second solenoid valve;
- iii) said elongated sleeve being spring balanced to a neutral position wherein both of said switches are open, said sleeve being movable upwardly from said neutral position to a first position wherein said first switch is closed and said second switch remains open and being movable downwardly from said neutral position to a second position wherein said second switch is closed and said first switch remains open;
- iv) whereby closure of said first switch causes opening of said first valve and closure of said second switch causes opening of said second valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.