Robotic lifting apparatus
US9315343B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2014 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1764
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for separating and moving a selected number of items, such as a sheets, boards or blanks is provided in which a robotic arm is constructed with forks capable of securely compressing a desired number of items therebetween for displacement from a stack of the items. The items to be grasped by the arm are initially separated from the remainder of the stack by a separation mechanism that can be mounted directly to the arm or to a support structure for the stack of items. The separation mechanism engages and lifts the desired number of items from the stack to enable the forks on the arm to engage each side of the items. The apparatus can be quickly reconfigured to engage and remove any desired number of items from the stack and/or to accommodate changes I the shape, size and/or thickness of the items.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.