Work positioning device for assembly line

Abstract

A work piece support device features two pincer members which can be moved toward and away from each other and which can be varied in length in manner to accommodate different shaped work pieces. The device is mounted on a manipulator which selectively displace the same in three mutually opposed directions. Location and locking probes can be used in combination with the support device to locate and/or lock the work piece in place.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a device for supporting a work piece.Iadd., .Iaddend. first and second pincer members, said first and second pincer members being disposed on a base member in a manner to be slidably movable toward and away from each other, said first pincer being elongatable;   first and second work receiving members, said first and second work receiving members being disposed at the upper ends of said first and second pincer members;   first drive means associated with said first and second pincers for moving said first and second pincers toward and away from .[.one another.]. .Iadd.each other.Iaddend., said first drive means including a device which converts rotational motion into linear motion;   second drive means associated with said first pincer for selectively elongating .[.the same.]. .Iadd.said first pincer.Iaddend.; and   a location .[.device.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.comprising a probe mounted adjacent said first and second pincers and operatively connected .[.with.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.a servo .[.device to enable the probe to be extended.]. .Iadd.extension means for extending said probe .Iaddend.to engage .[.a location.]. .Iadd.with an .Iaddend.aperture formed in .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.work piece supported on said device.   
     
     
       2. In a device for supporting a work piece.Iadd., .Iaddend. first and second pincer members, said first and second pincer members being disposed on a base member in a manner to be slidably movable toward and away from each other, said first pincer being elongatable;   first and second work receiving members, said first and second work receiving members being disposed at the upper ends of said first and second pincer members;   first drive means associated with said first and second pincers for moving said first and second pincers toward and away from .[.one another.]. .Iadd.each other.Iaddend., said first drive means including a device which converts rotational motion into linear motion; .[.and.].   second drive means associated with said first pincer for selectively elongating .[.the same.]. .Iadd.said first pincer.Iaddend.; and   a work piece retention device comprising a probe member having a projection formed thereon, said probe .Iadd.member .Iaddend.being mounted adjacent said first and second pincers, .[.and being operatively connected with a servo device to enable it to be selectively extended so as to pass through an aperture in the work piece being supported on said device and then rotated such that when said probe is retracted toward said servo device, the projection engages said work piece and secures the same in.]. .Iadd.means for supporting said probe member in an extendable and rotatable manner, means for rotating said probe member to a first angular position and for extending it in said first angular position through an aperture formed in said work piece, and means for rotating said probe member to a second angular position and for retracting it in said second angular position, so as to engage said projection against the work piece to secure the work piece in a predetermined .Iaddend.position on said device. .Iadd.3. A device for supporting a work piece according to claim 1, further comprising:   a manipulator for selectively positioning said work piece supporting device, said manipulator comprising:   a first base plate, mounted to a base for support thereon;   a second plate, located above and arranged essentially parallel with said first plate, said second plate being slideably mounted on said first plate so as to be moveable in first and second opposite directions essentially parallel to a face of said first plate;   a third plate, located above and arranged essentially parallel with said second plate, said third plate being slideably mounted on said second plate so as to be moveable in third and fourth opposite directions substantially parallel to a face of said first plate, said third and forth directions extending at right angles with respect to said first and second directions;   first, second and third apertures in the central portions of said first, second and third plates, respectively; and   an elongated post member, said post member being arranged in a direction normal with respect to the major surfaces of said first, second and third plates and arranged to pass through said first, second and third apertures. .Iaddend..Iadd.4. A device for supporting a work piece according to claim 2 further comprising:   a manipulator for selectively positioning said work piece supporting device, said manipulator comprising:   a first base plate, mounted to a base for support thereon;   a second plate, located above and arranged essentially parallel with said first plate, said second plate being slideably mounted on said first plate so as to be moveable in first and second opposite directions essentially parallel to said first plate;   a first motor, mounted on said first plate so as to be located between said first and second plates, said first motor being operatively connected with said second plate by way of a first drive connection, said first motor being selectively energizable to drive said second plate in a selected one of said first and second directions;   a third plate, located above and arranged substantially parallel with said second plate, said third plate being slideably mounted on said second plate so as to be moveable in third and fourth opposite directions substantially parallel with respect to said first plate, said third and fourth directions extending at right angles with respect to said first and second directions;   a second motor, mounted on said second plate so as to be located between said second and third plates, said second motor being operatively connected with said third plate by a second drive connection, said second motor being selectively energizable to drive said third plate in a selected one of said third and fourth directions; first, second and third apertures in the central portions of said first, second and third plates respectively; and   an elongated post member, arranged in a direction normal with respect to the major surfaces of said first, second and third plates and arranged to pass through said first, second and third apertures, said post member being slideably supported by said third plate; and a third motor, said third motor being located at the bottom of said post member. .Iaddend.