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US 5,626,013 AGranted
Circle-crane material handling system
OwnerJohn R. Schneiderinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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OwnerJohn R. Schneiderinventor
Estimating the term…
For the movement of work-in-process materials on a storage or manufacturing floor, a grid of computer-controlled, unmanned jib cranes is established. The cranes' operational areas overlap. A crane can place an individual part or a magazine of parts on an elevated, revolving pedestal which then automatically rotates 180 degrees so that the next crane in line can pick up these materials and move them into its own area. The hand of the crane is moved so that it can place its load directly into the position in the machine tool where it undergoes its next process. The arm of the jib crane is fully retractable and computer-controlled, using a laser integrated into the computer's system to aid in detecting the crane's hand location at each delivery position that the crane visits. The jib cranes can lift parts up to a level that places them near the ceiling of the manufacturing floor area. The crane arm then begins to swing and extend (or retract, as necessary) to transport the part or parts to the next operational position required in the manufacturing or storage process.
A multi-link chain capable of bearing a load, comprising:
A multi-link chain capable of bearing a load, comprising:
A multi-link chain capable of bearing a load, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.