US4566847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Industrial robot
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1983-02-28
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2003-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A positioning apparatus for positioning an arm of an industrial robot comprises a frame member connected to the robot arm and being movably supported by a frame-supporting member. The frame-supporting member is movably mounted within an upstanding hollow sleeve of a stationary base, and a bearing is formed between an outer peripheral surface portion of the frame-supporting member and an inner peripheral surface portion of the base hollow sleeve portion for slidably mounting the frame-supporting member to undergo linear and angular sliding movements relative to the base hollow sleeve portion. A rotary motor effects angular driving movement of the frame-supporting member, and a linear motor effects linear movement of the frame-supporting member to thereby accurately position the robot arm. By such a construction, the frame-supporting member is mounted for angular and linear sliding movements relative to the base hollow sleeve portion by a single bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Maeda
- 👤 Masayuki Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:40
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J3/00; B25J17/00; B25J17/02; B25J17/0241; B25J18/00; B25J18/02; B25J18/025; B25J9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A positioning apparatus for use in positioning an arm of an industrial robot in angular and linear positions comprising: a frame member connectable to an arm of an industrial robot during use of the positioning apparatus; a frame-supporting member connected to and supporting the frame member; a base having an upstanding hollow sleeve portion; means mounting the frame-supporting member within the base hollow sleeve portion to undergo linear movement and angular movement, said means including bearing means between an outer peripheral surface portion of the frame-supporting member and an inner peripheral surface portion of the base hollow sleeve portion for slidably mounting the frame-supporting member to undergo linear and angular sliding movements; linear drive means for effecting linear driving movement of the frame-supporting member; and angular drive means for effecting angular driving movement of the frame-supporting member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A positioning apparatus for use in positioning an arm of an industrial robot in angular and linear positions comprising: a frame member connectable to an arm of an industrial robot during use of the positioning apparatus; a frame-supporting member connected to and supporting the frame member; a base having an upstanding hollow sleeve portion; means mounting the frame-supporting member within the base hollow sleeve portion to undergo linear movement and angular movement, said means including bearing means between an outer peripheral surface portion of the frame-supporting member and an inner peripheral surface portion of the base hollow sleeve portion for slidably mounting the frame-supporting member to undergo linear and angular sliding movements; linear drive means for effecting linear driving movement of the frame-supporting member; and angular drive means for effecting angular driving movement of the frame-supporting member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A positioning apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the angular drive means includes means for effecting angular driving movement of the frame member to thereby effect angular driving movement of the frame-supporting member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A positioning apparatus according to claim 2; wherein the angular drive means comprises a plate member mounted to undergo angular movement about an outer peripheral surface portion of the base hollow sleeve portion, means connecting the plate member to the frame member so that angular movement of the plate member effects angular movement of the frame and frame-supporting members, and a drive motor connected to angularly drive the plate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A positioning apparatus according to claim 3; wherein the drive motor comprises an electric motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A positioning apparatus according to claim 3; wherein the drive motor comprises a fluid motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A positioning apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the linear and angular drive means include electric motors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A positioning apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the linear and angular drive means include fluid motors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3805629A
Cited
US4027767A
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US4139104A
Cited
US4036374A
Cited
US4347578A
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US4187051A
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US4264266A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |