Patent ID: 7140655

Claim:
A precision soft-touch gripping mechanism for flat objects, said precision soft-touch gripping mechanism having a longitudinal axis and an actuating member, each of said flat objects having a plane and a peripheral edge, said precision soft-touch gripping mechanism comprising: a mounting plate; a linear precision drive mechanism supported by said mounting plate; at least three gripping posts with at least two of them moveable simultaneously radially inwardly/outwardly with respect to said peripheral edge when each of said flat objects is placed into said precision soft-touch gripping mechanism, said at least three gripping posts having a plane; a gripping force control means for controlling the gripping force with which said gripping posts grip said peripheral edge by controlling operation of said linear precision drive mechanism; said at least three gripping posts comprising: a first gripping post which is located on said longitudinal axis and has at least one gripping element for engaging said peripheral edge, said longitudinal axis passing through said precision drive mechanism; a second gripping post and a third gripping post which are located on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis; a first linking member that supports said first gripping post and is stationary, said precision soft-touch gripping mechanism further comprising a first pivot rigidly connected to said mounting plate on one side relative to said longitudinal axis, and a second pivot rigidly connected to said plate on the side relative to said longitudinal axis opposite to said one side; a second linking member that is pivotally supported by said first pivot; and a third linking member that is pivotally supported by said second pivot, said gripping force control means having a sliding member connected to said linear precision drive mechanism and moveable in the direction of said longitudinal axis, said sliding member having a first pin rigidly connected thereto, said second linking member and said third linking member have respective slots in the direction transverse to said longitudinal axis, said respective slots being at least partially overlapped, said first pin being slidingly guided in said respective slots.