The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 06, 1987
Filed:
Feb. 20, 1985
Steven F Wright, Glen Ellyn, IL (US);
Eric J Stenstrom, Park Ridge, IL (US);
Joseph Wolyn, Gurnee, IL (US);
Molex Incorporated, Lisle, IL (US);
Abstract
Several embodiments of a method and apparatus for accurately positioning solid components for a robotic pickup mechanism having a floating gripper head, are described. In a first arrangement, connectors are transported along a guide track, with linear arrays of solid projections depending from each connector received in slots formed in the track. Conveyance of the connector is completed when a leading projection contacts an accurately positioned stop wall located in one of the projection receiving slots. An alignment bar, generally coextensive with the linear array of solid projections, presses the projections against a track wall communicating with the slot. In a second arrangement, a gauge block is elevated to receive the solid projections of the connector, and is thereafter translated to a final loading position adjacent a robotic pickup mechanism. In a third embodiment, a shuttle mechanism for use with a gauge block is disclosed. The shuttle mechanism includes latching arms for retaining the connector against the upper movement of the gauge block, the latch arms being pivotable to clear the top surface of the connector, allowing presentation of the connector to a component pickup apparatus.