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:
Mar. 31, 1987
Filed:
Feb. 12, 1986
Michael Atlas, Arlington, MA (US);
Northrop Corporation, Century City, CA (US);
Abstract
A universal gripper particularly adapted for handling parts such as axial leaded electronic components. The gripper includes a pair of jaws with depending fingers mounted on a baseplate for linear motion equally about the centerline of the baseplate. A long stroke cylinder is mounted between the jaws and is adapted for opening and closing the gripping fingers through a relatively long stroke. A short stroke cylinder is affixed to one of the jaws and includes a yoke portion extending to the other jaw. Locking apparatus is provided for selectively locking the yoke portion to the other jaw. When the locking apparatus is activated, the short stroke cylinder opens and closes the fingers through a relatively short stroke. In this way, electronic components can be handled without crushing the leads. Because of the provision of the short stroke cylinder, the disclosed gripper can be used in tight areas. A center push cylinder is provided for ejecting parts from the gripping fingers.