Patent ID: 7100955

Claim:
A general purpose hand for a multiaxis manipulator for handling objects, comprising: a frame member mounted to an arm of the multiaxis manipulator; and a suction holder supported on the frame member and operative to move relative to the frame member, the suction holder comprising: a suction pad to be sucked onto the handled object; a rod member for rotatably supporting the suction pad, the rod member being axially movable relative to the frame member; a resilient member for pressing the suction pad toward the handled object; a first locking mechanism for locking axial movement of the rod member, the first locking mechanism comprising a ball member guided to move toward the rod member, a brake shoe interposed between the ball member and a lateral side of the rod member, and a piston member having a tapered surface to press the ball member against the brake shoe to thereby press the brake shoe against the rod member; and a second locking mechanism for locking rotation of the suction pad.