Mast systems for autonomous mobile robots

US11110595B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• iRobot Corporation · US

Inventors

• Patrick Chow · Issaquah, US
• Irene Lee · Lakeland, US
• Kenneth Holm, Jr. · Irvine, US
• Frederic D. Hook · Fontana, US
• Patrick Petrossian · Azusa, US
• Fred Alibozek · Peterborough, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2018
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2021
• Expiry date: Mar 31, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B25J19/023
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An autonomous mobile robot includes a flexible member including a polymer layer extending along an entire length of the flexible member, and an end portion vertically movable away from a body of the robot. A first portion of a fastening mechanism extends along a first lateral edge of the polymer layer and a second portion of the fastening mechanism extends along a second lateral edge of the polymer layer. The first portion of the fastening mechanism is attached to the second portion of the fastening mechanism and forms a conduit to support the image capture device. The conduit includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and the outer surface of the conduit is at least partially defined by the polymer layer. An image capture device is mounted to an end portion of the flexible member.