US5283943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated assembly apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-08-31
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2012-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for assembling multiple component products using automated assembly equipment having predetermined locations for loading of components or component compartments. The invention includes a component identifier which reads indicia of component identity from components or component compartments, and a location indicator which indicates a proper location for loading and identified component or component compartment. The invention also contemplates a sensor that senses the placement of components or component compartments in the locations of the assembly machine, and a disabling device which disables the assembly machine if components or component compartments are misplaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Kermit Aguayo
- 👤 Khanh Tran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:54
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/41805; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31027; G05B2219/31031; G05B2219/31034; G05B2219/31035; G05B2219/31036; G05B2219/31037; G05B2219/31038; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32005; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49302; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53004; Y10T29/53026; Y10T29/53087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for assembling multiple component products, comprising: an assembly machine which assembles products using components retrieved from a plurality of compartments located at a corresponding plurality of locations, each compartment located according to a type of component stored within; a component identifier that identifies the type of component stored in each compartment by analyzing indicia of the components or component compartments; and at least one location indicator, responsive to the component identifier, for producing an indication signal of the corresponding location of each component compartment or component after the type of component has been identified.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for assembling multiple component products, comprising: an assembly machine which assembles products using components retrieved from a plurality of compartments located at a corresponding plurality of locations, each compartment located according to a type of component stored within; a component identifier that identifies the type of component stored in each compartment by analyzing indicia of the components or component compartments; and at least one location indicator, responsive to the component identifier, for producing an indication signal of the corresponding location of each component compartment or component after the type of component has been identified.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
23 words
The system of claim further comprising, at least one compartment sensor that senses whether a compartment is present in a previously identified location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising, an error indicator that indicates if a compartment has not been placed in a corresponding location indicated by the location indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 3, said error indicator indicating if a compartment has not been placed in said corresponding location indicated by the location indicator within a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4, said predetermined amount of time been selected to correspond to a time required to load the compartment in said corresponding location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising, a disabling device which disables said assembly machine at the beginning of a machine loading time period, and which enables said assembly machine after all compartments are placed in their corresponding locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising, a disabling device that disables said assembly machine, after loading of said machine has been completed, if any compartment is removed from a location, and that enables said machine once all emptied locations have been filled with corresponding compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the component identifier comprises an optical reader.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the indicia of the components or compartments comprises optically readable indicia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 9, wherein the optically readable indicia is a bar code.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
17 words
The system of claim wherein the location indicator comprises an individual visual indicators corresponding to each location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said visual indicators comprise light emitting diodes.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for assembling multiple component products, comprising: a machine which assembles products using components retrieved from a plurality of compartments, each compartment being located in a corresponding one of a plurality of locations according to a type of component stored within each compartment; an information processor; a component identifier, connected to the information processor, that identifies a type of component stored in a compartment, said information processor operating to determine a proper location of each identified compartment; and at least one location indicator, connected to and controlled by the information processor, that indicates the proper location of each identified compartment.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for assembling multiple component products, comprising: a machine which assembles products using components retrieved from a plurality of compartments, each compartment being located in a corresponding one of a plurality of locations according to a type of component stored within each compartment; an information processor; a component identifier, connected to the information processor, that identifies a type of component stored in a compartment, said information processor operating to determine a proper location of each identified compartment; and at least one location indicator, connected to and controlled by the information processor, that indicates the proper location of each identified compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 13, further comprising at least one compartment sensor that senses whether a compartment is present in a previously identified location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 13, further comprising one compartment sensor per location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 13, further comprising an error indicator which indicates if a compartment has not been placed in a location indicated by the location indicator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 16, said error indicator indicating if a compartment has not been placed in a location indicated by the location indicator within a predetermined period.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 17, said predetermined time period being selected to correspond to a time required to load a compartment in a corresponding location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 13, further comprising a disabling device that disables said assembly machine at the beginning of a loading operation, and that enables said assembly machine after all compartments are placed n corresponding locations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising a disabling device that disables said assembly machine, after proper loading of said machine is complete, if any compartment is removed from a location, and that enables said assembly machine once all emptied locations have been filled with corresponding compartments.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the component identifier comprises an optical reader.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 21, wherein the indicia of the components or compartments comprises optically readable indicia.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the optically readable indicia comprises a bar code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the location indicator comprises an individual visual indicator corresponding to each location.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 24, wherein said visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the assembly machine comprises: a pick and place machine; and a tape and reel feeding system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 13, where the information processor comprises: a computer with memory; and a digital I/O circuit that facilitates communication between the computer and the component identifier and the location indicators.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 27, further comprising a relay circuit connected to and controlled by the computer, for disabling the assembly machine if all locations are not loaded with compartments containing the correct type of component.
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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) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |