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:
Sep. 07, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 29, 1998
Joseph E Stagnitto, Rochester, NY (US);
Camiel J Raes, Phelps, NY (US);
James A White, Conesus, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A tool rack support system which includes leaf spring type flexures which allow the tool rack a measure of compliance in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The support system comprises preferably two flexure support assemblies with each assembly preferably including two cantilevered, horizontally oriented, planar flexures and two cantilevered, vertically oriented, substantially planar flexures which are ultimately supported from the distal end of the horizontally oriented, planar flexures. The vertically oriented, planar flexures give the support system a measure of compliance which allows the tool rack to be moved discretely in the horizontal plane as a result of a robotic arm acquiring or delivering a tool to the tool rack. The horizontally oriented, substantially planar flexures of the support system give the support assembly vertical compliancy to allow the tool rack to be moved discretely in the vertical direction as a result of a robotic arm acquiring or delivering a tool from the tool rack. Travel stops are provided to limit the amount of vertical travel which can be imparted to be horizontally oriented, planar flexures.