Method and apparatus for picking and placing an article

U.S. Patent Number: 5385441

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for transporting articles (24), and a pick and place apparatus (10) for implementing the method. The apparatus includes a suction tube (12) coupled to a pickup cam (11) and a pin (22) coupled to a hold-down cam (18). The pickup cam (11) and the hold-down cam (18) share a common cam shaft (15). In addition, the suction tube (12) is coupled to a pressure reduction apparatus (16) which is enabled throughout the transport process. The cam shaft (15) is rotated in a first direction to couple the article (24) to a suction cup (14). The article (24) is transported to a desired location and released by reversing the direction of rotation of the cam shaft (15). The article (24) is released by the pin (22) pushing the article (24) away from the suction cup (14).

Inventors: Swapp; Mavin C. (Gilbert, AZ), Frisbie; Milo W. (Mesa, AZ)

Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Schaumburg, IL)

Application Number: 08/155,878

Issued: 1995-01-31

Expired: 2007-01-31

Classes: 414/627 ; 414/737; 414/814; 901/40

Field of search: 414/627,737,752,417,786,793,797 294/64.1 901/40

Click the image above to view patent images at uspto.gov within a frame.

Click here for the fulltext page on uspto.gov within a frame.