Patent ID: 7461753
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: B66C,B66D

Abstract:
1. A power assisted manual manipulator comprising: a support capable of being moveable and variably affixable within a manufacturing environment; a carriage supported on said support and movable along a first horizontal direction; a bridge drive assembly for imparting movement onto said carriage along said horizontal direction; a fixture drive assembly for imparting motion within said carriage along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to said first horizontal direction; a lift mechanism moving an end effector, wherein said lift mechanism is supported by rails of said carriage and being rotatable below the plane formed by said first horizontal direction and said second horizontal direction; an operator control mechanism provided as a means to receive an operator's inputs, said operator control mechanism thereby directly encoding signals to command a control mechanism, said operator control mechanism being in a position fixed relative to said end effector, and in a position that allows an operator to easily see said end effector and to provide guidance and control thereto, said operator control mechanism comprises: wherein said right grip and said left grip provides an ergonomic grip for gripping, guiding and controlling said operator control mechanism.