Strip handling apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for dispensing predetermined lengths of strip, comprisinga plurality of holding means each containing a respective one of the predetermined lengths of strip,strip dispensing means including drive means for driving the strip longitudinally so as to dispense it,pick-up means for receiving and gripping each of the holding means successively so as to hold it in such juxtaposition with the strip dispensing means that the drive means receives an end of the strip in the holding means and drives it therefrom, anda robot for carrying the strip dispensing means and moving it along a predetermined path as the strip is dispensed thereby, so as to lay the strip along the said path.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A robot hand receives a length of sealing strip and fits it onto a mounting flange surrounding a vehicle door opening. The hand is carried by the arm of a robot. As the robot moves the hand around the periphery of the door opening, the hand grips the sealing strip and drives it through the hand and around a roller so as to lay it on the flange. An appropriate length of the sealing strip is supplied to the hand by means of a cassette within which the sealing strip is coiled. The hand carries a pick-up plate which grips the cassette by means of locking members. An end of the sealing strip extends out of the cassette on a nose forming part of the inverted lid of the cassette. The cassette is then drawn towards the robot hand, forcing the nose into the entrance of the hand and thus placing the end of the sealing strip between a first pair of drive rollers which are thereafter rotated so as to drive the sealing strip out of the cassette and through the hand.
114 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for dispensing predetermined lengths of strip, comprising
a plurality of holding means each containing a respective one of the predetermined lengths of strip, strip dispensing means including drive means for driving the strip longitudinally so as to dispense it, pick-up means for receiving and gripping each of the holding means successively so as to hold it in such juxtaposition with the strip dispensing means that the drive means receives an end of the strip in the holding means and drives it therefrom, and a robot for carrying the strip dispensing means and moving it along a predetermined path as the strip is dispensed thereby, so as to lay the strip along the said path.
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7. Apparatus for use in mounting an elongate flexible channel-shaped strip onto a mounting flange or the like, comprising
a portable body incorporating drive means arranged to feed the strip longitudinally along a predetermined path which is fixed in relation to the body and one distal end of which is external to the body and such as to present the strip for mounting on the flange as the body is moved along and in predetermined relation with the flange, strip holding means containing a predetermined length of sealing strip in coiled form and an end of which protrudes from the holding means, means carried by the body adjacent the other distal end of the path and comprising pick-up means for releasably picking up the strip holding means, and initiating means carried by the body for moving the pick-up means towards the body so that the protruding end of the strip is moved into the said other distal end of the predetermined path and is there engaged by the drive means.
Specification