Abstract:
A cover for an automated paint robot having a paint nozzle including a plurality of panels. A first panel has a first edge, a second edge secured to a third edge, and a fourth edge defining an opening. A second panel has a first edge secured to the first edge of the first panel, a second edge secured to a third edge, and a fourth edge. A third panel has a first edge secured to the fourth edge of the second panel, and a second edge secured to a third edge.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/480,712 filed Jun. 23, 2003 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for protecting a paint robot from overspray paint. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in a disposable, cloth robot cover.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Painted goods such as automobiles and the like conventionally utilize a dedicated paint area or paint room for the application of paint. The paint rooms are highly regulated to promote a quality paint finish. For example, most conventional clothing is prohibited due to the loose fibers which otherwise end up in the paint. Additionally, various lotions and other personal products are prohibited due to their adverse effect on the painting process.  
           [0004]    In many applications, paint is applied to articles such as automobiles with automated paint robots. The robots advantageously eliminate human error, reduce labor and provide improved and repeatable quality. The application of paint with automated paint robots is necessarily associated with a degree of overspray. Some overspray of paint is required to ensure complete painting of the subject article.  
           [0005]    It has heretofore been appreciated in the pertinent art that automated paint robots can be equipped with cloth covers to both protect the robot and reduce paint defects. In this regard, the cloth covers substantially shield the robots from paint overspray, thereby protecting the moving parts. Additionally, the cloth covers prevent the accumulation of paint that may otherwise result in the dripping of paint on the subject article. The covers can be periodically discarded and replaced.  
           [0006]    Ongoing objectives in the pertinent art include improved cover fit to facilitate freedom of robot movement. It is also an ongoing objective to reduce material waste and associated labor costs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved cover for an automated paint robot that further advances the pertinent art.  
           [0008]    It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved cover for an automated paint robot that reduces material waste during cover manufacturing through efficient layout.  
           [0009]    It is a related object of the present invention to provide a cover for an automated paint robot that reduces labor costs associated with manufacture of the cover.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved cover for an automated paint robot that adequately protects the robot from paint overspray without limiting requirement motion of the paint robot.  
           [0011]    It is a related object of the present invention to provide a cover for an automated paint robot that minimizes the number of discrete panels that must be cut and sewn during assembly.  
           [0012]    In one particular form, the present invention provides a cover for an automated paint robot having a paint nozzle including a plurality of panels. A first panel has a first edge, a second edge secured to a third edge, and a fourth edge defining an opening. A second panel has a first edge secured to the first edge of the first panel, a second edge secured to a third edge, and a fourth edge. A third panel has a first edge secured to the fourth edge of the second panel, and a second edge secured to a third edge. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1A is a front and side perspective view of a robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1B is a left side view of a robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1C is a rear view of a robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the robot cover of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a planar view of a first panel of a body portion of the robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown prior to cover assembly.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a planar view of a second panel of the body portion of the robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown prior to cover assembly.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a planar view of a third panel of the body portion of the robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown prior to cover assembly.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary layout for the first, second and third panels of the body portion of the robot cover constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown prior to cover assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    The following description of the preferred apparatus and method of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0023]    With initial reference to FIGS. 1A-1C and  2 , a cover for an automated paint robot constructed in accordance with the teachings of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference character  20 . In particular, FIGS. 1A-1C show a main body portion  30  of the cover  20  operatively associated with a paint robot  22  and a paint nozzle  24  of the robot  22  extending from the main body portion  30 . FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cover  20  illustrating the main body portion  30  and additional components.  
         [0024]    In the embodiment illustrated, the cover  20  is suitable for a paint robot manufactured and sold by Fanuc Robotics under the mark P-200. The P-200 is a six axis, electric servo-driven robot. Those skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that various teachings of the present invention are equally applicable for covers intended for other types of paint robots.  
         [0025]    As perhaps most particularly shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the cover  20  of the present invention is illustrated to generally include the main body portion  30 . In the embodiment illustrated, the cover  20  is additionally shown to include a forearm portion  32 . The cover  20  is further shown to include a pedestal base portion  34  and a rail base portion  36  that may be interchangeably used depending on the particular robot application.  
         [0026]    With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1C and  2  and additional reference to FIGS. 3-5, the construction of the main body portion  30  of the cover  20  will be further described. In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates a first panel  46  of the body portion  26  of the cover  20 . FIG. 4 illustrates a second panel  48  of the body portion  26  of the cover  20 . FIG. 5 illustrates a third panel  50  of the body portion  26  of the cover  20 . Throughout FIGS. 3-5, reference numbers  2 - 16  are used to identify attachment points between the various panels  46 - 50 . For example, the point on the first panel  46  carrying the reference character  7  is secured to the point on the second panel  48  similarly carrying the reference character  7 .  
         [0027]    The first panel  46  includes a first edge  52  sewn or otherwise suitably secured to a first edge  54  of the second panel  48 . The first edge is generally convex in curvature. Attachment of the first edge  52  to the first edge  54  creates a hood for the robot  22 . The first panel  46  additionally includes opposing second and third edges  56  and  58  that are sewn or otherwise suitably secured to one another. Prior to assembly, the second and third edges  56  and  58  are oriented at an angle between approximately 80 and 90 degrees relative to one another. When the second and third edges  56  and  58  are secured to one another, the first panel  46  surrounds an arm of the robot  22  and a fourth edge  60  of the first panel  46  defines a generally rectangular opening  62  (see FIG. 2) for accommodating the arm of the robot  22 . The first edge  52  is generally oriented in a horizontal plane. The second and third edges  56  and  58  are oriented vertically along an underside of the arm  24 . An elastic band  64  is carried by the first panel  46  adjacent the opening  62  which assists conformance of the opening  62  to the shape of the robot  22 .  
         [0028]    The second panel  48  additionally includes second and third edges  66  and  68 . The second and third edges  66  and  68  are releasable secured to each other with buttons or snaps (see FIG. 3). A fourth or lower edge  70  of the second panel  48  is sewn or otherwise suitably secured to a first or upper edge  72  of the third panel  50 . An elastic braid  74  is secured to the second panel  48 . When fitted to the robot  22 , the first and fourth edges  54  and  70  are oriented generally horizontal and the second and third edges  76  and  78  are oriented generally vertical. In the embodiment illustrated, the seam joining the second and third edges  76  and  78  is at the front of the robot  22 .  
         [0029]    The third panel  50  additionally includes second and third edges  76  and  78 . The second and third edges  76  and  78  are releasably secured to each other with buttons or snaps (see FIG. 3). A fourth edge  80  surrounds a lower portion of the base of the robot  22 . An elastic band  82  (see FIG. 2) is preferably secured to the third panel of the cover  20  adjacent the fourth edge  80 .  
         [0030]    The pedestal base portion  34  of the cover  20  is generally rectangular in shape. The pedestal base portion  34  includes an upper edge  84  which is generally linear. An elastic band is preferably carried by the upper edge  84 . The pedestal base portion  34  circumferentially surrounds a base of the paint robot  22 . Opposing edges (not particularly shown) of the pedestal base  34  are sewn or otherwise secured to one another.  
         [0031]    The rail base portion  36  is similarly constructed to the pedestal base portion  34  and is alternatively used for applications in which the robot  22  is mounted on a rail. Distinct from the pedestal base portion  34 , the rail base portion  36  includes lateral sides  86  that accommodate translation of the robot  22 . Additionally, the rail base portion  36  includes an open back side.  
         [0032]    Turning to FIG. 6, an exemplary layout for the first, second and third panels  46 ,  48  and  50  is illustrated prior to cutting of the panels  46 ,  48  and  50 . The panels  46 ,  48  and  50  are laid out on a single piece of fabric  90 . The shapes of the panels  46 ,  48  and  50  contribute to a material layout that significantly reduces fabric scrap.  
         [0033]    Accordingly, a cover for an automated paint robot is provided that both retains the full function of the robot and reduces the amount of fabric waste.  
         [0034]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.