Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Grapple – Expanding
Patent
1994-05-05
1996-04-02
Cherry, Johnny D.
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Grapple
Expanding
294100, B25B 902, B25J 102
Patent
active
055034462
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a device for gripping and handling objects with a hole, such as compact discs.
Such a device is generally known in the prior art. In particular in the case of compact discs and other relatively thin objects, the problem is that they are difficult to remove from the pack and to place in the pack or elsewhere without the fragile surface containing the important information being touched. Besides, compact discs are placed in rather a tight fit in boxes, and it is often difficult to undo this clamping force. According to the instructions, such compact discs should be gripped at the edge, in order to avoid fingermarks and the like on the surface containing the information.
The object of the invention is to provide a device by means of which it is simpler to grip such objects. This relates not only to the gripping of compact discs, but also to gramophone records or other objects provided with a hole which are difficult to grip in any other way.
The invention is based on the idea that for gripping of the objects in question at least one gripping element is moved to and fro relative to the center of the disc. In that way the disc can be engaged and disengaged. Clamping of the disc by the device according to the invention can be realized in at least two ways. In one of them the gripping elements comprise gripping means engaging one side of the disc and a support face engaging another side of the disc. In this embodiment in addition to the movement to and from from the center of the hole by the gripping means, these gripping means can also move relative to the support face in a direction of the thickness of the object to be engaged.
In another embodiment it is possible to realize the gripping elements in that they comprise jaws having an opening to engage the circumferential edge of the opening. In this embodiment it is not necessary to move the gripping elements in another direction than to and from the center of the opening of the hole.
While at least one of the gripping means is movable, the other gripping means can be in the form of a fixed supporting part which grips the edge of the object in question over its thickness or grips round it. All gripping elements are, however, preferably in the form of a gripping means.
The control means for the gripping means are preferably disposed on the end of the carrier away from the gripping means.
In order to make the gripping means move towards and away from each other, the control means preferably comprise a cam surface provided on the gripping means, and interacting with a support fixed on the carrier.
The gripping means preferably comprise a sleeve-shaped element provided with recesses, in order to define fingers. The distance between adjacent fingers here is made such that fixing means of a pack, such as the pack of a compact disc, can be accommodated between said fingers.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, spring means are present to move the gripping means into a position inserted in the carrier, i.e. the position in which the object is clamped.
Although the ends of the fingers of the gripping means can be made in any way known in the prior art, it is preferable if they are made barbed. In particular for thin objects, this has the advantage that it is easier to grip behind the peripheral edge. For thicker objects it would be possible to provide clamping in the thickness of the wall material. In order to place the device according to the invention in the correct position on the object, and more particularly to determine the angular position of the device relative to the hole in the object, according to a further embodiment, centering means are present.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to an example of two embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows schematically in cross-section the device according to the invention in the position in which the gripping means are brought in and brought fully out;
FIG. 2 shows the device according to FIG. 1 when the object is taken out and when i
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