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:
Oct. 26, 1993
Filed:
Dec. 21, 1992
Luciano Santandrea, Florence, IT;
Massimo Lombardi, Florence, IT;
Axis S.p.A., Malborough, MA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically adjusting the distance between two support members for carrying workpieces of different dimensions. The support members are mounted on guides that are fitted to pallets that travel on conveyor transport systems for automatic production/assembly lines. In one embodiment the support members have locking elements that frictionally secure the support members in place on the pallet and can be unlocked for movement along the guide. A positioning unit engages the pallet so that the locking elements is unlocked and the support members are engaged and translated to the desired locations under the control of the drive. In a second embodiment the support members are translated along and under the control of a threaded bar. A positioning unit engages the pallet to activate the threaded bar by rotating it to translate the support members to the desired locations. The support members are independently translated using one threaded bar and the drive for each support member. The location of the support members may be determined before adjusting the support members for the dimensions of the workpiece to be supported. Devices for bringing a pallet and the positioning unit together to make the adjustment are provided.