Apparatus for applying fasteners to picture frames

Abstract

An apparatus for final assembly of framed artwork includes a conveyor for translating a plurality of art frames past a robot arm assembly. A fastener driver module is supported by the robot arm assembly, the module including a support plate and a magazine secured to the support plate by a pivot assembly at the upper end of the magazine, with the freely pivoting lower end of the magazine depending from the support plate. A pneumatic actuator extends laterally from the support plate to rotate the lower end of the magazine to impinge on the art frame, and another pneumatic actuator supported on the magazine is coupled through a lever arrangement to a driver blade extending through the lower end of the magazine. The driver blade engages the lowermost fastener in the magazine and ejects it forcefully, driving it into the interior opening of the frame on the table. A computer control system is connected to the robot arm assembly to move the fastener driver module to engage each art frame passing thereby, and to drive fasteners into the rails of each frame and secure the artwork therein. A speed sensor coupled to the conveyor generates a speed signal that is received by the computer control system, whereby the robot arm may be driven in translational synchronism with each passing art frame.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.