US 11,667,042 B2
Retainer apparatus for movement of articles
Maximilian Dinsdale Anderton, Tampa, FL (US); Cody Michael Porter, Helotes, TX (US); Branson Patrick Brockschmidt, San Antonio, TX (US); Cody Eli Bressler, San Antonio, TX (US); and Thomas E. Lyons, Jr., Rio Medina, TX (US)
Assigned to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE, San Antonio, TX (US)
Filed by Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/305,847.
Prior Publication US 2023/0017842 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. B25J 15/06 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 15/0666 (2013.01) [B25J 15/009 (2013.01); B25J 15/0066 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
10. A retainer apparatus configured to releasably retain an article, comprising:
a base plate member having a front face;
a face plate member having a front face;
wherein the face plate member and the base plate member are arranged adjacent one another with the face plate member and the base plate member substantially parallel to one another;
a plurality of vacuum cups extending distally relative to the front face of the face plate member;
a plurality of support pins extending distally relative to the front face of the face plate member;
wherein the vacuum cups and the support pins are laterally spaced from one another about the front face of the face plate member;
wherein the vacuum cups are configured to retain the article to the retainer apparatus in a presence of vacuum;
wherein the plurality of support pins are movable as to be extendable and retractable relative to the face plate member, wherein each of the support pins have a longitudinal axis, respectively, and are configured to contact the article to support the article against movement along the longitudinal axis of the support pins and support the article against movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support pins; and
a locking mechanism configured to inhibit the support pins from being retractable and extendable when the locking mechanism is engaged, and configured to permit the support pins to be retractable and extendable when the locking mechanism is disengaged;
wherein the locking mechanism comprises the face plate member and is engaged by moving the face plate member in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the front face of the base plate member to apply a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support pins.