1995-01-19
1997-10-28
Ramirez, Ramon O.
Supports
Vacuum
248362, 2482059, A45D 4214
Patent
active
056810229
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a clamping device and in particular to a clamping device which may be used to grasp an article or to clamp a tool to a workpiece.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Suction pads and similar devices are known for grasping articles, for example, to transport an article from one position to another. They are also used for such purposes as attaching a tool to a workpiece. Suction pads tend to gradually lose their "vacuum" and become detached from the article to be grasped or the workpiece. It is possible to overcome this problem by providing continuous suction to a variant of a suction pad.
Australian patent specification No. 274586 Woodfield Bennett Limited discloses a pick up head comprising a back plate provided with a soft rubber seal positioned on the underneath of the plate. Australian patent specification No. 29280/67 Vacu-Lift Maschinenbau GmbH also discloses an annular sealing ring, which in this case has a support. The annular sealing ring surrounds a vacuum chamber. Australian patent specification No. 71603/74 "Othene" International Handelmaatschappij BV discloses a suction-cup construction comprising a vacuum chamber having an elastic sealing strip affixed to the periphery of the bottom of the vacuum chamber. In none of these instances is the seal located in a groove as defined in the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping device which makes use of continuous or intermittent suction from a "vacuum" space.
In this specification, the word "vacuum" is used in a relatively loose sense to indicate a low pressure relative to atmospheric pressure such that a clamping device according to the invention will be held to an article to be grasped and/or lifted or clamped to a workpiece.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an assembly of an improved clamping device according to the invention and a tool for working upon a workpiece.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention, therefore, provides a clamping device adapted to be used to grasp an article or to clamp a tool to a workpiece, which comprises: contained or comprised in a vacuum body; body, the compressible seal being located in a groove in the vacuum body, the groove being so dimensioned that the compressible seal, when pressed against an article or workpiece, expands and/or moves into a space in the groove thus stabilising the position of the compressible seal and improving its airtight qualities; and
This invention further provides an assembly of an improved clamping device according to the invention and as defined above, in combination with a tool attached to the structure of the clamping device and so located that it may be operated to perform work operations on an article or workpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention by way of example in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly as defined above;
FIG. 1A is a detail in cross-section of a seal forming part of the clamping device according to the invention;
FIG. 1B is a detail of the seal of FIG. 1A, the clamping device being in use;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a clamping device according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lower portion of the assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of internal mechanism of the assembly taken along line A--A in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a plan view from the bottom of the lower portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lifting tool according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although the lower surface of the vacuum body (as seen in use) is preferably substantially flat to enable the body to adhere to an article or workpiece with a corresponding relatively flat surface, it is possible to have a curved vacuum body so that the body may adhere to an article or workpiece with a correspondingly curved surface. Furthermore the body may be provided with a degree of flexibility such that it may be flexed a
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Derwent Abstract Accession No. J53108/40, class Q38, SU A, 640952 (Konovalov) Jan. 10, 1979 (Jan. 10, 1979) abstract and figure.
Derwent Soviet Inventions Illustrated, Section III, Mechanical & General, Issued May 1969, Building, Mining, Mechanical Handling p.4,SU 219145 (Tarasov et al) Mar. 1969 (Mar. 1969).
Derwent Soviet Inventions Illustrated, Section III, Mechanical & General, Issued Feb. 1965, General Engineering, p. 6, SU 163736 (Levin) Dec. 1964 (Dec. 1964) abstract and figure To Follow.
Baxter Gwendolyn W.
Goldberg Richard M.
Ramirez Ramon O.
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