Patent ID: 7306423

Claim:
A linear moving mechanism comprising: a guide member providing a horizontal straight transport path; a moving member movable along the transport path; and a drive mechanism which drives the moving member, wherein the drive mechanism includes a first link arm pivotable around a first vertical shaft, and a second link arm having a first end and a second end, the first vertical shaft being on the transport path or on a line parallel to the transport path, the first end being connected to the first link arm for pivotal movement of the second link arm in a horizontal plane, the second end being connected to the moving member for pivotal movement of the second link arm in a horizontal plane; wherein the guide member includes a plurality of guide rails extending in parallel to the transport path and spaced from each other horizontally, the moving member extending across the transport path to bridge between the guide rails; wherein the drive mechanism further includes: an assisting link arm pivotable around a second vertical shaft which is different from the first vertical shaft; and a middle link to which the first link arm and the assisting link arm are connected for pivotal movement around a third vertical shaft and a fourth vertical shaft respectively; whereby the first link arm, the assisting link arm and the middle arm provide a parallelogram link mechanism; the second link arm being connected pivotably to the middle link around a fifth vertical shaft provided on a line passing the third vertical shaft and the fourth vertical shaft, the second link arm being connected pivotably to the moving member around a sixth vertical shaft; a center-to-center distance between the fifth vertical shaft and the sixth vertical shaft being equal to a center-to-center distance between the first vertical shaft and the third vertical shaft; and wherein the guide member is provided with a guide groove extending in a direction across the transport path, the sixth vertical shaft being fitted in the guide groove.