Robert O Reinhardt

US Patent:

55249477, Jun 11, 1996

Filed:

Mar 11, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/209223

Inventors:

Andrew E. Mojden - Hinsdale IL
Richard P. Hoinacki - Oak Lawn IL
Wayne Muhr - Downers Grove IL
Robert L. Reinhardt - Orland Park IL

Assignee:

Fleetwood Systems, Inc. - Romeoville IL

International Classification:

B65G 5900
B66C 142

US Classification:

294116

Abstract:

A self-contained pick-and-place apparatus for respectively engaging and releasing an elongate group of stacked articles such as an elongate stack of nested can ends comprises an elongate pivot shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a pair of elongated gripping members for surroundingly engaging the articles, and pivot arms coupled with the gripping members and mounted to the pivot shaft for bidirectional pivotal motion about the longitudinal axis for thereby moving the gripping members respectively toward and away from each other. The pivot arms are biased to pivot in a direction for moving the gripping members toward each other. One or more cams are supported by the pivot shaft for movement between a pivot arm open position and a pivot arm closed position. Cam followers are mounted to the pivot arms and follow the cams for overcoming the biasing force and pivoting the pivot arms in a direction for moving the gripping members away from each other when the cams are in the pivot arm open position and for permitting the biasing of the pivot arms in a direction for moving the gripping members toward each other when the cams are in the pivot arm closed position. An actuator is supported by the pivot shaft for moving the cams between the pivot arm open position and the pivot arm closed position.