US 12,214,490 B2
Robotic article managing end effector with capture device having discrete compliant rods
Fraser M. Smith, Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Assigned to SARCOS CORP., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed by Sarcos Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on Jan. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/414,314.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/621,101, filed on Jan. 15, 2024.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/513,326, filed on Jul. 12, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/439,108, filed on Jan. 14, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0261981 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B65G 47/90 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 15/0095 (2013.01) [B25J 11/00 (2013.01); B25J 13/085 (2013.01); B65G 47/90 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0264 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0283 (2013.01)] 57 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A robotic end effector for acquiring and managing an article, the robotic end effector comprising:
an extendable arm comprising a first support member;
a capture device comprising:
a guide member comprising a plurality of apertures extending through the guide member from a back surface to a front surface of the guide member;
an array of rods with each rod disposed in a respective aperture of the plurality of apertures, wherein each rod of the array of rods is slidably supported so as to be operable to move relative to the guide member; and
a biasing member associated with one or more rods of the array of rods and being configured to bias the one or more rods in a first direction relative to the guide member;
an article interface system supported by the extendable arm, and comprising an actuatable article engagement device that itself comprises an article interface surface, the actuatable article engagement device being operable to interface with an article to facilitate movement of the article toward the capture device.