End effector with multiple pick-up members
First Claim
1. An end effector for use with a moving device, said end effector comprising:
- a) a frame;
b) a plurality of operational members mounted for longitudinal movement on said frame;
c) an actuation mechanism directly connected to a first operational member of said plurality of operational members and operable to move said first operational member from a first position to a second position in,d) a linking apparatus for linking said first operational member to a second operational member of said plurality of operational members said second operational member not directly connected to said actuation mechanism;
wherein when said actuation mechanism moves said first operational member from said first position to said second position, said second operational member is moved by said linking apparatus from a third position to a fourth position;
and wherein said actuation mechanism comprises;
i) at least one cam block having a cam slot in an upper surface of said cam block said cam slot extending in a generally transverse direction that is generally orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal movement and across said upper surface of said cam block, said cam block also being mounted for longitudinal movement relative to said frame;
ii) a generally longitudinally oriented member attached to said cam block and to said first operational member;
iii) a rotary cam mounted and operable for rotation about an axis that is generally orthogonal to said direction of longitudinal movement and said transverse direction, said rotary cam having at least one cam follower protruding from said rotary cam, wherein said at least one cam follower is positioned to move transversely inside said cam slot of said cam block and move said cam block in a longitudinal direction during rotation of said rotary cam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An end effector for use with a moving device has a frame and a plurality of operational members mounted for movement on the frame. The effector also has an actuation mechanism directly connected to a first operational member and is operable to move the first operational member from a first position to a second position, and from the second position to the first position. A linking apparatus is provided for linking the first operational member to a second operational member. The actuation mechanism moves the first operational member from the first position to the second position, and results in the second operational member being moved by the linking apparatus from a third position to a fourth position. The operational members can be pick up members for picking up items at one pitch and releasing them at a second pitch.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An end effector for use with a moving device, said end effector comprising:
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a) a frame; b) a plurality of operational members mounted for longitudinal movement on said frame; c) an actuation mechanism directly connected to a first operational member of said plurality of operational members and operable to move said first operational member from a first position to a second position in, d) a linking apparatus for linking said first operational member to a second operational member of said plurality of operational members said second operational member not directly connected to said actuation mechanism; wherein when said actuation mechanism moves said first operational member from said first position to said second position, said second operational member is moved by said linking apparatus from a third position to a fourth position; and wherein said actuation mechanism comprises; i) at least one cam block having a cam slot in an upper surface of said cam block said cam slot extending in a generally transverse direction that is generally orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal movement and across said upper surface of said cam block, said cam block also being mounted for longitudinal movement relative to said frame; ii) a generally longitudinally oriented member attached to said cam block and to said first operational member; iii) a rotary cam mounted and operable for rotation about an axis that is generally orthogonal to said direction of longitudinal movement and said transverse direction, said rotary cam having at least one cam follower protruding from said rotary cam, wherein said at least one cam follower is positioned to move transversely inside said cam slot of said cam block and move said cam block in a longitudinal direction during rotation of said rotary cam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification