Person-guided vehicle
US6454512B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A person-guided vehicle (PGV) is provided for transporting and manipulating at least one carrier containing items such as semiconductor wafers to be loaded or unloaded at a load port. The PGV includes a wheeled cart having a frame configured to align with the load port. A carrier support assembly is mounted to the frame. The carrier support assembly includes a cradle configured to support the carrier, a lifting mechanism operative to raise and lower the cradle vertically, and a horizontal slide mechanism operative to move the cradle horizontally to and from a position outboard of the cart. A damping system is coupled to the cart and operative to dampen vibrations of the carrier in the carrier support assembly. One side of the cart is free of structural members to allow operator access to the carrier support assembly and to allow ready manipulation of the cart by the operator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.