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:
Jun. 09, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 29, 1996
John A Blatt, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (US);
ISI Norgren Inc., Anoka, MN (US);
Abstract
A power actuated gripper for engaging and holding a workpiece wherein a cam surface is pivotally linked to a reciprocating actuator for actuating at least one of a first and second jaws between a clamped position, wherein the first and second jaws engage and hold the workpiece, and an unclamped position, wherein the first and second jaws disengage and release the workpiece. The reciprocating linear actuator provides a fluid motor with a piston and piston rod for providing linear reciprocal movement. The piston rod is connected to a coupling member which is pivotally connected to a pair of linkage members for each of the first and second jaws. A pair of lever arms are pivotally connected to the linkage members and are integral with a shaft link. The cam surface is formed on the shaft link and actuates a cam follower, biased toward the cam surface, connected to the first and second jaws. The first jaw moves linearly between the clamped and unclamped positions, and the second jaw provides a linkage portion and a swing arm wherein the linkage portion has a linear moving portion linked to the swing arm. The swing arm is rotatably connected to the pivot pin for simultaneous rotary movement with the pivot pin. A pair of microswitches contact the pivot pins connecting the linkage member and the lever arms to sense when the gripper is in the clamped and unclamped positions.