US3850307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling apparatus
Assignee: Motoda Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-11-13
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An article handling apparatus includes an arm which comprises a parallel linkage consisting of four links and is pivoted through a pivot to a support head, a motor provided at the free end of one of two links not coupled by the pivot, a carrier connected to the free end of the other link for carrying an article to be transported, a chain driven by the motor for lifting and lowering the arm and connected at one end to a mount fixed to that portion of said one link where a straight line including the free end of said other link and the pivot passes, and adjusting device provided on the support head for moving the chain horizontally, whereby the intermediate portion of the chain between the mount and support head is made perpendicular to the horizontal so that no change takes place in tension applied to the chain while the article is transported horizontally.
Inventors
- 👤 K Motoda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/08; B; B66; B66C; B66C23/00; B66C23/005; F16M11/18; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2014; F16M11/2092; F16M11/24; F16M11/42; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/044; F16M2200/06; F16M2200/063; F16M2200/065; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
An article handling apparatus including a support on which a support head is rotatably mounted; an arm comprising first and second links parallel to each other, third and fourth links parallel to each other, a first pivot to which said first and fourth links are pivoted, a second pivot to which said second and fourth links are pivoted, a third pivot to which said first and third links are pivoted and a fourth pivot to which said second and third links are pivoted, said arm being pivotally supported on said support head through said second link; control means provided on one end of said first link; holding means for holding an article disposed below the control means; driving means provided on that one end of the third link which is remote from the first link so that a drive of said driving means is controlled by said control means; a mount provided on the third link and falling on a straight line passing said one end of said first link and second pivot, string-like power transmitting means having one end secured to the mount and operated by said driving means to cause the arm to be swung about the second pivot; and adjusting means having a rotary member wound by that intermediate portion of the power transmitting means which is between the mount and the driving means, said adjusting means being movable horizontally on said support head thereby enabling a force applied to said power transmitting means always to be directed in a vertical direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
An article handling apparatus including a support on which a support head is rotatably mounted; an arm comprising first and second links parallel to each other, third and fourth links parallel to each other, a first pivot to which said first and fourth links are pivoted, a second pivot to which said second and fourth links are pivoted, a third pivot to which said first and third links are pivoted and a fourth pivot to which said second and third links are pivoted, said arm being pivotally supported on said support head through said second link; control means provided on one end of said first link; holding means for holding an article disposed below the control means; driving means provided on that one end of the third link which is remote from the first link so that a drive of said driving means is controlled by said control means; a mount provided on the third link and falling on a straight line passing said one end of said first link and second pivot, string-like power transmitting means having one end secured to the mount and operated by said driving means to cause the arm to be swung about the second pivot; and adjusting means having a rotary member wound by that intermediate portion of the power transmitting means which is between the mount and the driving means, said adjusting means being movable horizontally on said support head thereby enabling a force applied to said power transmitting means always to be directed in a vertical direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which said adjusting means comprises a rail horizontally mounted on said support head and a sliding member horizontally movable along said rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 2 in which said power transmitting means comprises a chain having one end connected to said mount and the other end to said third link, and said rotary member comprises a sprocket wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 3 in which there is further provided biasing means provided between the third link and biasing said chain so as not to be sagged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 4 in which said biasing means comprises a compression spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 4 in which said mount has a circular peripheral portion with which one end of the chain is engaged and a sprocket wheel is provided on the third link to mesh with said chain between said sprocket wheel and said driving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 4 in which said driving means is a motor remotely controlled by said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
175 words
An article handling apparatus according to claim 4 in which said arm further includes a fifth link parallel to said first link, a carrier pivoted through a fifth pivot and a sixth pivot to said one end of said one link and one end of said fifth link respectively, connection means pivoted through said first pivoT to said first link and pivoted through a seventh pivot to said fifth link so that a first straight line passing said first and said seventh pivots is parallel to a second straight line passing said fifth and sixth pivots, at least one sixth link provided parallel to said fourth link, one end of said sixth link being pivoted to the support head through an eighth pivot and the other end of said sixth link being pivoted through a ninth pivot to said connection means so that a third straight line passing said ninth and first pivots is parallel to a fourth straight line passing said second and eighth pivots; and said control means is provided on said carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |