Odetics, Inc.

Robert G Fairchild

Timothy L Crabtree

Charles A Lindquist

Victor Blum

A robotic materials handling system for storing and handling box-like articles such as videocassettes includes a storage area containing a plurality of columns of storage bins, a vertical support shaft located adjacent the storage area and a manipulator assembly carried on the shaft. The manipulator assembly includes a plurality of gripper mechanisms which may be positioned adjacent desired storage bins. The system includes computer control circuitry for controlling the operation of the manipulator assembly and gripper mechanism to transport articles between desired locations.

Robotic materials handling system

A cable retractor assembly which utilizes a rotatable spool assembly for taking up slack in a cable connected between a mobile member and a stationary base member. The present invention makes use of a cable assembly which has first and second portions which are wound onto or unwound from the spool assembly at the same time to maintain a continuous cable connection between the members while avoiding loose cable in the open. A retraction assembly provide the retraction force to rotate the spool assembly to wind the slack cable.

Cable retractor assembly for taking up slack of a cable

A tape cassette handling and sequencing system includes a large storage library having a plurality of storage bins and a cassette loading section for receiving cassettes to be stored in the storage bins. Tape transports are provided for playing cassettes stored in the library. A manipulator assembly moves cassettes between the loading section, storage bins and tape transports. The design facilitates the automatic sequencing of a large number of cassettes thus freeing an operator for other tasks.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Robert G Fairchild