Re-configurable pallet for use in automated manufacturing or material handling

• US 6,606,955 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Warren, Timothy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US09/725,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 108/54.1, 108/55.3, 335/611, 335/612, 335/613, 269/266, 269/267, 121/42.N, 264/223, 249/82, 249/155
• US Class Current: 108/55.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/44 Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for providing a re-configurable or adaptive manufacturing pallet that conforms to the shape of an object. The pallet comprises a frame that includes a matrix of displaceable object contacts points, such as a matrix of vertically displaceable fine rods or pins, that is laid over the object to form a cradle that conforms to the shape of the object; and a locking mechanism to lock the object contact points in a fixed position relative to each other in order to form a nest or cradle for holding the object in position during a manufacturing or assembly operation. In a preferred structure, the frame includes at least two substantially parallel guide plates having a matrix of guide holes, at least one actuator plate between and substantially parallel to said guide plates which also having a matrix of holes substantially aligned with the guides holes of the guide plates, a matrix of pins extending through and displaceable within the matrix of holes of the guide and actuator plates, and an actuator that applies a shear force against the pins to lock them in a fixed vertical position relative to said plates whereby to form cradle for holding an object in place.

Claims

1. An adaptive parts carrying and manufacturing pallet comprising:

a frame,

a series of substantially parallel guide plates attached to the frame, the guide plates having a matrix of guide holes or slots,

a series of actuator plates that are substantially parallel to said guide plates and supported by slots within the frame, each actuator plate of the series of actuator plates capable of extending through and being displaceable within the respective slot of the slots, and the series of actuator plates having a matrix of holes or slots substantially aligned with and complementary to the guide holes or slots of the guide plates,

a matrix of pins extending through and displaceable within the matrix of holes or slots of the guide plates and the series of actuator plates,

an actuator that applies a shear force to the series of actuator plates, said series of actuator plates transferring said shear force to the pins to lock the pins in a fixed vertical position relative to said guide plates whereby to form a cradle for holding a part or work piece in place, said actuator being released to apply a spring-loaded shear force against said series of actuator plates to lock the pins, and

a latch to latch said series of actuator plates in alignment with said series of guide plates.

2. A flexible manufacturing pallet comprising:

at least two substantially parallel guide plates having a matrix of guide holes,

a plurality of actuator plates that are substantially parallel to said guide plates and having a matrix of holes substantially aligned with and complementary to the guide holes of the guide plates,

a matrix of unbiased pins extending through and displaceable within the matrix of holes of the guide and actuator plates,

an actuator that applies a shear force to the plurality of actuator plates, said plurality of actuator plates transferring said shear force to the unbiased pins to lock the unbiased pins in a fixed vertical position relative to said guide plates whereby to form cradle for holding an object in place,

wherein said actuator is released to apply a spring-loaded shear force against said plurality of actuator plates to lock the unbiased pins, and

a latch to latch said plurality of actuator plates in alignment with said guide plates.

3. The flexible manufacturing pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said actuator is released to apply a spring-loaded shear force against said at least one actuator plate to lock the pins.

4. A method of re-configuring a flexible manufacturing pallet to conform to a shape of a work piece or part comprising:

providing a matrix of unbiased pins that are displaceable within a frame,

providing a plurality of actuator plates supported by said frame with a plurality of slots within the frame,

extending the a plurality of actuator plates through the plurality of slots,

placing the matrix of pins over the work piece or object thereby to form a cradle that conforms to the shape of the object,

providing a force to the plurality of actuator plates,

locking the unbiased pins in a fixed position relative to each other after the placing step, and using the cradle formed in the locking step as a pallet in a parts carrying operation during manufacturing.

5. A method providing an adaptive manufacturing pallet that conforms to the shape of an object, said method comprising:

providing within a frame a matrix of displaceably unbiased object contact points,

providing a plurality of actuator plates, supported by said frame by a plurality of slots within the frame,

extending the plurality of actuator plates through the plurality of slots,

placing the matrix over the object thereby to form a cradle that conforms to the shape of the object,

providing a force to the plurality of actuator plates,

locking the displaceably unbiased object contact points in a fixed position relative to each other after the placing step, and

using the cradle formed in the locking step as a pallet for holding the object in position during an object handling operation.