SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH MULTI-AXIS TILTING
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of stations positioned along a direction of conveyance;
a set of rails spanning across a length of the plurality of stations and including at least first, second, and third rails configured for independent vertical movement; and
a plurality of objects supported by and movable along the first, second, and third rails relative to the plurality of stations so that each of the plurality of objects can be positioned at a corresponding one of the stations,wherein each of the plurality of objects has first, second, and third supports coupled to the respective first, second, and third rails so that all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a first set of axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of relative vertical heights, and all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a second set of axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of relative vertical heights different than the first configuration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system includes a plurality of stations positioned along a direction of conveyance. Rails span the length of all stations and include at least first, second, and third rails configured for independent vertical movement. A plurality of objects is supported by and movable along the first, second, and third rails between the stations. Each of the plurality of objects has first, second, and third supports coupled to the respective first, second, and third rails so that all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a first set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of vertical heights, and all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a second set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of vertical heights.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
-
a plurality of stations positioned along a direction of conveyance; a set of rails spanning across a length of the plurality of stations and including at least first, second, and third rails configured for independent vertical movement; and a plurality of objects supported by and movable along the first, second, and third rails relative to the plurality of stations so that each of the plurality of objects can be positioned at a corresponding one of the stations, wherein each of the plurality of objects has first, second, and third supports coupled to the respective first, second, and third rails so that all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a first set of axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of relative vertical heights, and all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a second set of axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of relative vertical heights different than the first configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of processing a plurality of objects through a plurality of stations of a system, the method comprising:
-
providing first, second, and third rails extending along a length of the plurality of stations in a direction of conveyance; suspending each of the plurality of objects from the first, second, and third rails with individual support members; tilting all of the plurality of objects in unison in a first direction about a first set of axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of relative vertical heights; and tilting all of the plurality of objects in unison in a first direction about a second set of axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of relative vertical heights different than the first configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification