Clamp assembly

Details Clamp assembly Clamp assembly

1981-02-24

1983-09-13

Marbert, James B.

Handling: hand and hoist-line implements

Grapple

Expanding

B66C 146

Patent

active

044038011

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a clamp assembly for controllably gripping an article and more particularly to such a clamp assembly having a pair of pressurizable gripping members.
2. Background Art
In the material handling industry, increased use is being made of automated handling equipment. In particular, robots are increasingly being used to transfer articles and to load and unload articles from machine tools. If all of the workpieces being handled are identical, a clamp assembly for holding the article during transfer can be easily designed. However, if a diversity of articles having varying sizes and shapes is presented to the handling device, the clamp assembly for holding the articles generally becomes more complex. Often sensing and control devices are required to adapt a clamp assembly to variously sized and shaped articles. Additionally, if the articles being handled are partially finished, care must be taken to prevent damage to previously finished surfaces or features of the article. This problem has, heretofore, resulted in adding to the complexity of the clamping or gripping assembly.
One approach to controllably gripping an article susceptible to damage is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,311 issued to Glen A. Ball, et al, on Oct. 25, 1975. In the Ball patent, a pressurizable inflatable bladder is mounted inside a ring for circumferentially gripping a large circular object such as a tire core. A somewhat similar device is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,756,883 issued to Irvin F. Schreck on July 31, 1956. However, both of the above clamping devices are effective for clamping only a predetermined, specifically-sized article.
The present invention provides a simple, effective device for controllably gripping variously sized and shaped articles and is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a clamp assembly is provided for controllably gripping an article. The clamp assembly includes a pair of pressurizable gripping members, that are mounted on a pair of opposed frame members, and movable between a position at which the frame members are spaced apart and a position at which they are substantially adjacent one another.
Clamp assemblies for use with automated material handling devices generally require a sensor or other data input to adapt the assembly to a configuration conducive for controllably gripping a randomly-presented article of indeterminate size or shape. The present invention simply and effectively solves this problem by providing plural pressurizable gripping members having compliant article-contacting surfaces. The gripping members are controllably pressurized to form the compliant surface at least partially about the article and apply a minimal, predetermined contact force on the article. The force applied is sufficient for safely lifting or moving the article, but is not of a magnitude to render damage to vulnerable features of the article. In addition, rigid non-compliant gripping surfaces are avoided, thereby eliminating any risk of marring or otherwise damaging previously finished surfaces on the article.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention with opposed members of the clamp assembly spaced apart.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention with the opposed members adjacently disposed.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an article gripped between the opposed members being placed in a machine tool.
FIG. 4 is to top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with sections broken away to show details of the frame members.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present invention, taken along the line V--V of FIG. 4.


BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of a clamp assembly for controllably gripping an article 10 is generally indicated by the reference nume

REFERENCES:
patent: 2756883 (1956-07-01), Schreck
patent: 3915311 (1975-10-01), Ball et al.
patent: 4273505 (1981-06-01), Clark et al.
patent: 4285537 (1981-08-01), Hawrylo et al.

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