Adjustable tine clamp systems and methods

A system for use as a robotic manipulator, said system comprising:

• a plurality of goods interface members disposed in a predetermined juxtaposed geometry, wherein said plurality of goods interface members comprises angled tines of a goods lifting mechanism and straight tines of a goods justifying mechanism;
• a plurality of adjustable support assemblies providing physical support to said plurality of goods interface members, wherein said plurality of adjustable support assemblies are adapted to maintain said predetermined juxtaposed geometry of said plurality of goods interface members throughout an adjustment range;
• a synchronization crank in communication with said plurality of adjustable support assemblies;
• and
• an actuator coupled to said synchronization crank and operable to provide clamping movement of said plurality of goods interface members.

A method for providing adjustment of a robotic manipulator clamp assembly, said method comprising:

• selecting a desired clamping width of said robotic manipulator clamp assembly;
• adjusting a plurality of adjustable support assemblies to dispose a plurality of goods interface members to provide said desired clamping width, wherein said adjustable support assemblies include at least two adjustable support members and wherein said adjusting said plurality of adjustable support assemblies comprises:
• rotating said at least two adjustable support members about corresponding pivot points;
• loosening, prior to rotating said plurality of adjustable support assemblies, a fastener disposed through an adjustment slot of at least one adjustable support assemblies of said plurality of adjustable support assemblies to allow said rotating;
• and tightening, after said rotating said plurality of adjustable support assemblies, said fastener to prevent further said rotating;
• and
• maintaining a predetermined juxtaposed geometry of said plurality of goods interface members throughout said adjusting said plurality of adjustable support assemblies.

An adjustable basket tine clamp comprising:

• a plurality of basket tines disposed in a predetermined geometry to define a goods incarceration basket area when in a closed position and a goods release orientation when in an open position;
• a first set of pivoting tine supports, wherein a first group of basket tines of said plurality of basket tines are disposed on a first pivoting tine support of said first set of pivoting tine supports, and wherein a second group of basket tines of said plurality of basket tines are disposed on a second pivoting tine support of said first set of pivoting tine supports;
• at least two adjustable support members, wherein said first pivoting tine support is pivotally coupled to a first adjustable support member of said at least two adjustable support members, wherein said second pivoting tine support is pivotally coupled to a second adjustable support member of said at least two adjustable support members, and wherein each of said first adjustable support member and said second adjustable support member is pivotally coupled to a basket tine clamp base;
• and
• a first set of links, wherein a first link of said first set of links is pivotally coupled to said first pivoting tine support and is further coupled to a first actuator assembly, and wherein a second link of said first set of links is pivotally coupled to said second pivoting tine support and is further coupled to said first actuator assembly, wherein said plurality of basket tines are maintained in said predetermined geometry throughout an adjustment range of said at least two adjustable support members through interaction of said at least two adjustable support members, said first set of pivoting tine supports, and said first set of links.