Postal robot

• US 5,346,351 A
• Filed: 01/22/1993
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elsag Bailey SPA (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Elsag Bailey SPA (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Repetto, Giorgio, Priolo, Vincenzo
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/007,725
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 414/277, 414/618, 414/280-282, 414/753, 414/609, 414/268, 414/269, 209/584, 209/900, 901/6, 901/7, 901/31, 901/38, 294/104
• US Class Current: 414/277
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/008 Means for collecting objects, e.g. containers for sorted mail items pile receivers in general B65H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 3/02 Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/023 Cartesian coordinate type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/90 Sorting flat-type mail

Abstract

A robot for emptying a postal machine having a plurality of containers into which the postal items (letters and cards) are delivered and form a substantially ordered stack of items, one on top of another. The robot includes a base structure located on a rectilinear structure arranged parallel to a wall of the postal machine and a columnar structure which is fixed to the base structure and supports a slide slidable vertically on the columnar structure itself. The slide supports a pair of arms which are slidable relative to the slide and have gripper devices at their ends arranged to be introduced into one of the containers to grasp a stack of postal items, to withdraw them from the container and to deposit them on a conveyor belt.

Claims

1. A postal robot for emptying a postal machine having a plurality of containers for containing postal items, the robot comprising:

(a) take-up means for taking up the postal items the take-up means comprising a support body having a substantially L-shaped cross section including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion substantially perpendicular to said vertical portion and defining a support surface having respective adjoining flat surfaces which are angularly offset with respect to each other by an obtuse angle;

(b) an automatic drive means for moving the take-up means;

(c) a clamping element pivotable relative to the support body; and

(d) a first drive means for moving the clamping element relative to the support body.

2. A robot according to claim 1, wherein said postal machine further comprises a perimeter, said automatic drive means comprising:

(a) a base structure arranged on a guide structure disposed substantially parallel to at least a part of the perimeter;

(b) a substantially vertical structure fixed to the base structure;

(c) a slide slidable along the vertical structure; and

(d) a second drive means for sliding said slide along said vertical structure, and said take-up means further comprising at least one pincher take-up device supported by said slide, said pincher take-up device being adapted to grip said postal items.

3. A robot according to claim 2, wherein said vertical structure includes at least one columnar body affixed to said base structure.

4. A robot according to claim 2, said slide comprising:

(a) at least one part slidable on said vertical structure; and

(b) at least one appendage projecting from said part and being substantially perpendicular to said part wherein said appendage supports said pincer take-up device.

5. A robot according to claim 4, said slide further comprising:

(a) an arm having opposite ends slidably engaged to said appendage where said pincer take-up device is attached to one of said ends of said arm; and

(b) a third drive means for sliding said arm relative to said appendage.

6. A robot according to claim 5, said appendage comprising an end portion, said arm being slidably mounted to said end portion.

7. A robot according to claim 2, wherein said slide moves along a straight vertical path which is substantially perpendicular to said guide structure.

8. A robot according to claim 7, wherein said pincer take-up device is movable along a straight horizontal path which is perpendicular to said straight vertical path.

9. A robot according to claim 1, wherein said clamping element is substantially L-shaped having a straight portion having an end portion for pressing said postal items.

10. A robot according to claim 2, said first drive means comprising:

(a) a gear sector having a radial wall pivotally attached to said support body where said clamping element is connected to said radial wall; and

(b) a worm screw coupled to said gear sector.

11. A robot according to claim 10, said first drive means further comprising a motor mounted upon said support body, said motor having an output shaft affixed to said worm screw.

12. A robot according to claim 1, said take-up means comprising a control means for regulating said first drive means for controlling an output level of torque provided by said first drive means.

13. A robot according to claim 10, said take-up means comprising a detecting means for detecting an angular position of said clamping element relative to said support body.

14. A robot according to claim 13, wherein said detecting means has at least one switch mounted on the support body.

15. A robot according to claim 14, further comprising a resilient part affixed to said radial wall of said gear sector wherein said switch is actuated by said resilient part.

16. A robot according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic control means for controlling said automatic drive means and said take-up means.

17. A postal robot for emptying a postal machine having a plurality of containers for containing postal items, the robot comprising:

(a) a take-up means for taking up the postal items, the take-up means comprising a support body having a substantially L-shaped cross section including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion substantially perpendicular to said vertical portion and defining a support surface;

(b) an automatic drive means for moving the take-up means;

(c) a clamping element pivotable relative to the support body;

(d) a first drive means for moving the clamping element relative to the support body, said first drive means comprising a radial wall having a gear sector and a resilient part; and

(e) a detecting means connected to said take-up means said detecting means for detecting an angular position of said clamping element relative to said support body, said detecting means having at least one switch mounted on said support body whereby said switch is activated by said resilient part during the change of relative positions between said radial wall and said support body.