Inverted carrier lift device system and method

US10384873B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Comau LLC · US

Inventors

• Velibor Kilibarda · Beverly Hills, US
• William Maybee · Southfield, US
• Michael R. Dugas · Brighton, US
• Michael L. Gentile · Chesterfield Township, US
• Matthew P. Sosnowski · Brighton, US
• Lei Zhou · Tianjin, CN
• Freddie Tappo · Sterling Heights, US
• Jeffrey W. Mason · Attleboro, US
• Neil G. Greig · Auburn Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 5, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 20, 2019
• Expiry date: May 5, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66C17/06
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor mounted engaged with a lifting mechanism onboard the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.