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US 8,505,663 B2Granted
Traction robot
OwnerEdward T. Saylor, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A traction unit has carrier sections on which suction cups or suction pads are mounted that are connected to a vacuum source. The carrier units are driven around the frame by a chain or belt driven by a motor. The frame has sections which move relative to one another horizontally and/or vertically in order to permit turning control of the traction unit and allowing for traversing of curved surfaces.
Claims10
A traction unit comprising:
- a plurality of carriers;
- at least one suction pad connected to each carrier and supplied with vacuum from a vacuum source each of said suction pads having plural vacuum cavities open to a surface which said suction pad engages;
- a carrier support frame which supports the plurality of carriers, each of the plurality of carriers having rollers engaging said carrier support frame;
- one of a belt and a chain connecting said plurality of carriers for driving movement of the plurality of carriers around said carrier support frame, said one of said belt and chain being driven by a motor;
- and
- a plurality of carrier support frame sections forming said carrier support frame, adjacent ones of said plurality of carrier support frame sections being flexibly connected to one another for relative movement, said one of said belt and chain extending between said adjacent ones of said flexibly connected carrier support frame sections.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.