Adjustable pick-and-place tool for an automated robotic device or the like

Abstract

Provided is a fully adjustable pick-and-place tool for an automated robotic device or the like which is capable of picking and placing various kinds of parts. The tool includes a plate and a magnet movably attached to the plate to pick-and-place parts having all sorts of configurations. A part manipulator including a suction cup or gripper mechanism or the like may be coupled to the magnet to pick-and-place the part. In one aspect of the present invention, the part manipulator is adjustably positionable with respect to the plate without having to move the magnet to a different location on the plate thereby further enhancing the ability of the tool to pick-and-place parts of different types having various shapes and sizes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pick-and-place tool comprising: 
 a plate; and    a magnet which is magnetically attached to said plate, and which is movably mounted on said plate to pick-and-place an item as needed.    
     
     
         2 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a magnet holder, said magnet embedded therein; and    a part manipulator attached to said magnet holder, said part manipulator adapted to pick-and-place the item.    
     
     
         3 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 2 , wherein said part manipulator is a suction cup and, wherein said magnet holder includes a passageway therethrough and, wherein said pick-and-place tool further comprises: 
 a hose connector attached to said magnet holder such that said suction cup communicates with said hose connector via said passageway;    a hose having opposite ends, one end connected to said hose connector; and    a manifold connected to said other end of said hose such that a vacuum can be provided through said manifold, said hose, said passageway and said suction cup.    
     
     
         4 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 3 , wherein said manifold includes an on/off valve.  
     
     
         5 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 4 , wherein said magnet is movably mounted on one side of said plate and said manifold is attached to an opposite side of said plate and, wherein said plate includes a hose guide for directing said hose from said hose connector to said manifold.  
     
     
         6 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 5 , wherein said plate includes at least one countersunk hole for receiving a fastener for attaching said manifold to said plate such that said fastener will not interfere with the placement of said magnet on said plate in any location.  
     
     
         7 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 2 , wherein said part manipulator is a mechanical gripper device including a chamber and mechanical gripper arms interconnected to said chamber and, wherein said pick-and-place tool further comprises: 
 a hose connector attached to said chamber;    a hose having opposite ends, one end connected to said hose connector so that said mechanical gripper arms communicate with said hose via said chamber; and    a manifold connected to said other end of said hose, such that a pressure can be provided to said manifold, said hose, said chamber and said mechanical gripper so as to operate said mechanical gripper arms.    
     
     
         8 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 7 , wherein said manifold includes an on/off valve.  
     
     
         9 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 8 , wherein said magnet is movably mounted on one side of said plate and said manifold is attached to an opposite side of said plate and, wherein said plate includes a hose guide so as to direct said hose from said hose connector to said manifold.  
     
     
         10 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 9 , wherein said plate includes at least one countersunk hole for receiving a fastener for attaching said manifold to said plate such that said fastener will not interfere with the placement of said magnet on said plate in any location.  
     
     
         11 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 2 , wherein said part manipulator is adjustably positionable respective to said plate irrespective of moving said magnet.  
     
     
         12 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said part manipulator includes a suction cup and, wherein said pick-and-place tool further comprises: 
 a manifold operatively coupled to said suction cup so that a vacuum can be applied to said suction cup to pick the item, and so that the vacuum to the suction cup can be released or reversed so as to release and place the item.    
     
     
         13 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a hose connector coupled to said suction cup; and    a hose having opposite ends, one end connected to said hose connector and said other end connected to said manifold.    
     
     
         14 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 13 , wherein said part manipulator further comprises an extension arm having a hole therethrough and opposite ends, said suction cup attached to one of said ends of said extension arm and said hose connector attached to said other end of said extension arm, said suction cup and said hose connector communicating via said hole.  
     
     
         15 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 14 , wherein said part manipulator further comprises a support rod attached to a top side of said magnet holder and, wherein said part manipulator further includes an adjustable connecting member for releasably holding said extension arm to allow said extension arm to move in or out with respect to said connecting member for adjusting the location of said suction cup with respect to the item to be picked and, wherein said connecting member is adjustably firmly attached to said support rod, the angle of said extension arm with respect to said plate being changeable.  
     
     
         16 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said manifold includes an on/off valve.  
     
     
         17 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 16 , wherein said magnet is movably mounted on one side of said plate and said manifold is attached to an opposite side of said plate and, wherein said plate includes a hose guide for directing said hose from said hose connector to said manifold.  
     
     
         18 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 17 , wherein said plate includes at least one countersunk hole receiving a fastener for attaching said manifold to said plate such that said fastener will not interfere with the placement of said magnet on said plate in any location.  
     
     
         19 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said connecting member is made of a single piece of material having a hole therethrough for receiving said extension arm and further having a slit extending axially outward from said connecting member hole and a recloseable fastener for closing said slit to hold said extension arm and opening said slit to allow said extension arm to be moved in and out with respect to said connecting member.  
     
     
         20 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 15 , wherein said connecting member is made of two pieces of material each including a semi-circular groove extending at least partially around an outer surface of said extension arm when said extension arm is held by said connecting member, said two pieces connectable by at least one fastener to firmly hold said extension arm when desired, and said two pieces of material disconnectable to allow said extension arm to be moved in and out with respect to said connecting member.  
     
     
         21 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional magnet movably mounted on said plate and being adapted to pick-and-place the item.  
     
     
         22 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate is made of a ferrous material.  
     
     
         23 . A pick-and-place tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate is made of a non-corrosive material.