ADJUSTABLE GRIPPER PADS

Abstract

A gripper tip for use with a gripper assembly includes a first gripping surface located at least partially within a first plane and a second gripping surface located at least partially within a second plane that is transverse to the first plane. The first gripping surface includes a first gripping height relative to a first attachment portion associated with the first gripping surface. The second gripping includes a second gripping height relative to a second attachment portion associated with the second gripping surface, and the second gripping height is greater than the first gripping height.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates example gripper assemblies for moving work pieces between work stations.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example gripper assembly from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a gripper pad of the gripper assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of the gripper pads shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the gripper pads shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6A illustrates one possible orientation combination of the example gripper pads.

FIG. 6B illustrates a second possible orientation combination of the example gripper pads.

FIG. 6C illustrates a third possible orientation combination of the example gripper pads.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an example gripper having gripper pads that are oriented to accommodate a work piece.

Claims

1. A gripper tip for use with a gripper assembly, the gripper tip comprising: a first gripping surface located at least partially within a first plane, the first gripping surface having a first gripping height relative to a first attachment portion associated with the first gripping surface; anda second gripping surface located at least partially within a second plane that is transverse to the first plane, the second gripping surface having a second gripping height relative to a second attachment portion associated with the second gripping surface, and the second gripping height is greater than the first gripping height.

2. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.

3. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, wherein the first gripping surface is directly adjacent the second gripping surface.

4. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface includes a patterned texture, and the patterned texture of the first gripping surface is the same as the patterned texture of the second gripping surface.

5. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, wherein the first gripping height corresponds to a first nominal thickness between the first gripping surface and a first opposite surface, and the second gripping height corresponds to a second nominal thickness between the second gripping surface and a second opposite surface.

6. The gripper tip as recited in claim 5, wherein the first attachment portion protrudes from the first opposite side, and the second attachment portion protrudes from the second opposite side.

7. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, comprising a rectangular block, wherein two adjacent sides of the rectangular block include, respectively, the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface.

8. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, comprising a rectangular block, wherein two adjacent sides of the rectangular block include, respectively, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion protruding therefrom.

9. The gripper tip as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one visual indicator identifying at least one of the first gripping surface or the second gripping surface.

10. A gripper tip system for use with a gripper assembly, the gripper tip system comprising: a first gripper tip removably attachable to a gripper jaw in at least two different orientations relative to the gripper jaw, the at least two orientations corresponding to different heights of the first gripper tip; anda second gripper tip removably attachable to an opposed gripper jaw in at least two different orientations relative to the opposed gripper jaw, the at least two orientations corresponding to different heights of the second gripper tip.

11. The gripper tip system as recited in claim 10, wherein the combination of the at least two different orientations of the first gripper tip and the at least two different orientations of the second gripper tip provides at least three different possible jaw opening sizes between the first gripper tip and the second gripper tip for a given position of the gripper jaws.

12. A gripper assembly comprising: a first gripper jaw;a second gripper jaw;an actuator for moving the gripper jaws;a first gripper tip removably attachable to the first gripper jaw in at least two different orientations relative to the first gripper jaw; anda second gripper tip removably attachable to the second gripper jaw in at least two different orientations relative to the second gripper jaw, the combination of the at least two different orientations of the first gripper tip and the at least two different orientations of the second gripper tip providing at least three different possible jaw opening sizes between the first gripper tip and the second gripper tip for a given position of the first gripper jaw and the second gripper jaw.

13. The gripper assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein each of the first gripper tip and the second gripper tip comprises a rectangular block having two adjacent sides, one of the sides including a first attachment portion that protrudes therefrom and the other side including a second attachment portion protruding therefrom.

14. The gripper assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the first gripper jaw includes a first recess for receiving the first attachment portion, and the second gripper jaw includes a second recess for receiving the second attachment portion.

15. The gripper assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a fluid-driven actuator.