초록 ▼

A robotic materials handling system for storing and handling box-like articles such as videocassettes includes a storage area containing a plurality of columns of storage bins, a vertical support shaft located adjacent the storage area and a manipulator assembly carried on the shaft. The manipulator

A robotic materials handling system for storing and handling box-like articles such as videocassettes includes a storage area containing a plurality of columns of storage bins, a vertical support shaft located adjacent the storage area and a manipulator assembly carried on the shaft. The manipulator assembly includes a plurality of gripper mechanisms which may be positioned adjacent desired storage bins. The system includes computer control circuitry for controlling the operation of the manipulator assembly and gripper mechanism to transport articles between desired locations.

대표청구항 ▼

A robotic materials handling system for rapid storing and handling of box-like articles, comprising: at least one article pickup or delivery area having means for supporting an article and having an opening facing a manipulator area; a storage area containing a plurality of stationary columns of sto

A robotic materials handling system for rapid storing and handling of box-like articles, comprising: at least one article pickup or delivery area having means for supporting an article and having an opening facing a manipulator area; a storage area containing a plurality of stationary columns of storage bins, arranged in a cylindrical configuration around the manipulator area, each storage bin for holding one article and having an opening facing the manipulator area; a stationary vertical support shaft located in the manipulator area within the storage area; a manipulator assembly slidably coupled to the shaft and movable along the shaft, said manipulator assembly including a plurality of arm assemblies symmetrically configured radially about the shaft, each arm assembly extending outward from the shaft and having a gripper mechanism movable toward and away from an axis of the shaft, the gripper mechanism having first and second spaced fingers for grasping opposite sides of a box-like article, wherein each gripper mechanism is operable to deposit articles to storage bins and to withdraw articles from storage bins by pushing them into and pulling them out of the opening of a bin; and means for positioning the arm assemblies adjacent each opening of the columns and adjacent each opening of the article pickup or delivery area location.