Safety fence for robotics

Abstract

An improved safety fence for constructing a flexible workcell is provided with a fence end having at least one T-shaped post including a plurality of elongated support pins mounted along a first flange on the post and at least one cam lock mounted along a second perpendicular flange on the post for securing a panel member to the fence end. The fence can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, such that the workcell is portable and extremely flexible. The adjoining edges of the panel members are secured and sealed together using an H-shaped extrusion member. The fence includes stiffening ribs between posts to mount part bins and receive cabling, wiring, and tubing for work functions within the workcell.

1 . An improved safety fence for constructing a flexible workcell housing a robot comprising:
 a support base for attaching a fence end thereto; and   the fence end comprising at least one T-shaped post having a plurality of elongated support pins spacedly mounted along the length of the post.   
   
   
       2 . The improved safety fence of  claim 1  having at least one panel member adapted for attachment between the fence ends. 
   
   
       3 . The improved safety fence of  claim 2  wherein the panel members having a plurality of holes spaced along vertical edges for securing support pins there-through. 
   
   
       4 . The improved safety fence of  claim 3  wherein the panel members comprise a transparent panel, a wire mesh panel, a colored panel, an opaque panel, a plastic panel, a plywood panel, a pegboard panel or any panel-like material and/or any combination of the panels. 
   
   
       5 . The improved safety fence of  claim 4  further comprising an H-shaped extrusion member for connecting and sealing-off seams between adjoining panel members. 
   
   
       6 . The improved safety fence of  claim 5  wherein the panel members being cut-to-length for configuring span lengths between the fence ends. 
   
   
       7 . The improved safety fence of  claim 6  further comprising a U-shaped channel member for securing the panels to the fence ends using the elongated support pins. 
   
   
       8 . The improved safety fence of  claim 7  wherein the fence end is an L-shaped member for completing an end section or a corner section of the fence. 
   
   
       9 . The improved safety fence of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of cam locks spacedly mounted perpendicular to the elongated support pins for securing the panel members to the fence ends. 
   
   
       10 . The improved safety fence of  claim 9  wherein the panel members being secured to the fence ends using the U-shaped channel members and/or cam locks. 
   
   
       11 . The improved safety fence of  claim 10  having a support rib secured laterally between the fence ends. 
   
   
       12 . The improved safety fence of  claim 11  wherein the support rib for mounting brackets and/or part bins thereto. 
   
   
       13 . The improved safety fence of  claim 12  wherein the support rib being a U-shaped channel member for concealing runs of cable therein. 
   
   
       14 . An improved safety fence for constructing a flexible workcell housing a robot comprising:
 a fence end having at least one T-shaped post connected to a base for affixing to a floor; and   the T-shaped post comprising a plurality of elongated support pins mounted along the length of the post to thereby assist securing at least one panel member to the post.   
   
   
       15 . The improved safety fence of  claim 14  having a U-shaped channel member being adapted for attachment to the post using the pins, the U-shaped channel member to thereby assist securing the panel member to the post. 
   
   
       16 . The improved safety fence of  claim 15  wherein the U-shaped channel member being used in combination with at least one cam lock to thereby secure the panel member to the post. 
   
   
       17 . The improved safety fence of  claim 16  wherein a span of the safety fence comprising at least one fence panel connected between the fence ends. 
   
   
       18 . The improved safety fence of  claim 17  further comprising a door slidably mounted to the fence end for entering and exiting the workcell. 
   
   
       19 . The improved safety fence of  claim 18  wherein the base and the posts being positioned on casters. 
   
   
       20 . The improved safety fence of  claim 19  wherein the panel members having a color, patter and/or color scheme matching the color, pattern and or color scheme of the robot. 
   
   
       21 . An improved safety fence for constructing a flexible workcell comprising
 a fence end comprising at least one T-shaped post having a plurality of elongated support pins mounted along a first flange and at least one cam lock mounted along a second perpendicular flange of the post for securing a panel member to the fence end.   
   
   
       22 . A method for constructing a flexible workcell housing a robot using an improved safety fence comprising:
 providing a fence end comprising at least one T-shaped post having a plurality of elongated support pins spacedly mounted along the length of the post;   inserting holes along a vertical edge of a panel member through the elongated support pins for mounting the panel member to the fence end;   securing the panel member to the fence end using a U-shaped channel member.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising securing the panel member to the fence end using at least one cam lock. 
   
   
       24 . An improved safety fence for constructing a flexible workcell housing a robot comprising:
 a fence end having at least one L-shaped post connected to a base for affixing to a floor; and   the L-shaped post comprising a plurality of elongated support pins mounted along the length of the post to thereby assist securing at least one panel member to the post.   
   
   
       25 . The improved safety fence of  claim 24  wherein the L-shaped post for securing the fence to a corner post. 
   
   
       26 . The improved safety fence of  claim 25  wherein the L-shaped post forming a dead-end portion on the fence. 
   
   
       27 . An improved safety fence for constructing a flexible workcell comprising
 a fence end comprising at least one L-shaped post having a plurality of elongated support pins mounted along a first flange and at least one cam lock mounted along a second perpendicular flange of the post for securing a panel member to the fence end.