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:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 11, 1997
Massimo Ponzio, Barberino V. Elsa, IT;
Fabrizio Cresti, Tavernelle V. Pesa, IT;
Atop S.p.A., Barberino Val D'Elsa-Fi, IT;
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for the automatic adjustment of the distance between the holding members (2) of a pallet (3) connected to a fastening bar (12) and which allow a movement in a transverse plane with respect to the fastening bar between a first auto-locking position on the fastening bar and a second position of free movement. An apparatus for gripping (11) the holding members (12), an apparatus for moving (10) the gripping apparatus (11) from the first to the second position and an apparatus for translating (17) the apparatus for moving (10) parallelly to the fastening bar (12) are provided for. The adjustment method comprises the steps of: controlling the actual location of said arms with respect to said fastening bar in comparison with a stored location and change of the location of said arms only when said locations are different from each other. The apparatus and the method allow for a precise location of the holding members without the need of a displacement to a position of zero and without the need of moving them when they are already at a location to receive the workpiece correctly.