Patent ID: 6746203
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: B65G,B65H,Y10S

Abstract:
A gripping and transport clamp mounted at an end of a robotic arm being movable towards an object to be gripped, comprising:a support member mounted at the end of the robotic arm; a first lower pressing plate mounted on the support member, the first lower pressing plate being shaped for insertion under the object to be gripped; sensor means adapted for detecting a reaction force being exerted on the first pressing plate upon displacement thereof; first actuating means for inserting the first lower pressing plate under the object to be gripped in response to a detection of the reaction force by the sensor means; a second lower pressing plate mounted below the first lower pressing plate on the support member, the second lower pressing plate being movable between a retracted position and an extended position; second actuating means mounted between the second lower pressing plate and the support member for moving the second lower pressing plate between the retracted position and the extended position, thereby inserting the second lower pressing plate under the object to be gripped in response to the first lower pressing plate being inserted under the object to be gripped; an upper pressing plate mounted on the support member, the upper pressing plate being movable toward the object to be gripped between an open position and a gripping position; third actuating means mounted between the upper pressing plate and the support member for moving the upper pressing plate between the open position and the gripping position, thereby gripping the object between the upper and lower pressing plates; and control means for receiving detection signals from the sensor means and for operating the actuating means.