Patent ID: 8454068

Claim:
An edge grip device comprising: a clamp member; and a pressing mechanism, the pressing mechanism including a pusher which is disposed so as to face the clamp member and which is configured to press a semiconductor process wafer against the clamp member to thereby grip, along with the clamp member, the semiconductor process wafer, the pressing mechanism further including: a pusher supporting body having a supporting member which supports the pusher in a relatively movable manner and a guiding portion which guides the pusher moving relative to the supporting member in a pressing direction in which pressing is applied, the pusher supporting body being movable in the pressing direction and having a gap between the guiding portion and the pusher in the pressing direction; and a buffering member which is arranged in the gap between the pusher and the guiding portion, the buffering member having a low bounce and being elastically deformable, wherein when the guiding portion moves in the pressing direction, the guiding portion pushes the pusher through the buffering member to thereby move the pusher in the pressing direction whereby the semiconductor process wafer is pressed against the clamp member.