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:
Aug. 18, 1987
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1985
Francis M Ray, Glenview, IL (US);
Zenith Electronics Corporation, Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
First and second walking beams are coupled by a proportional displacement arrangement to a reciprocating drive mechanism. Respective ends of the first and second walking beams are positioned in close proximity to one another to permit an article positioned on the first walking beam to be transferred to the second walking beam. The first walking beam has a close or narrow pitch between adjacent article-bearing slots thereon, while the second walking beam has a wide pitch. Inter-article spacing on the second walking beam is thus greater than the spacing between adjacent articles on the first walking beam. This arrangement permits a large number of closely spaced articles to be simultaneously deposited upon the first walking beam while standard spacing may be provided between the articles on the second walking beam for improved efficiency in the automatic positioning and handling of the articles. This coupled walking beam arrangement is particularly adapted for the sequential positioning of electronic/electrical components for manipulation by automatic handling apparatus.