Multi-station system to act upon footwear upper assemblies with transfer between stations thereof
US4769866A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25J15/0253
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
For use in a system that includes first and second machines to perform operations on a footwear upper assembly, a transfer machine that includes an activator arm assembly, and a gripper assembly rotatably and pivotally connected to one end of the activator arm assembly. The gripper assembly includes a pair of fingers with a gripper jaw pivotally secured to each of the fingers. The pair of fingers are movable toward and away from each other respectively to grasp and release the footwear upper assembly. The pivotal attachment of the jaws permits the jaws to adjust to the irregular profile of the footwear upper assembly, a situation which is enhanced by the geometry of the gripper jaws which permits contact between the jaws at regions spaced longitudinally along the footwear upper assembly and by choosing a jaw material that is soft enough to deform, and hence provide larger contact area between the upper assembly and the jaws.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.