Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Utilizing fluid pressure – Venturi effect
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-30
2001-12-11
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Utilizing fluid pressure
Venturi effect
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328363
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for handling light objects with one hand only without touching said objects with one's hand, said device comprising one or more suction parts configured for inspiration against a plane face of said object and a gripping means configured for being seized and held with one hand and where a movable piston body comprising a flexible, elastomer body is arranged at the gripper for complete or partial filling and emptying of a void for providing, via one or more connecting passages, a sub atmospheric pressure between the suction parts and the plane face of the object upon abutment and inspiration against the object.
2. Description of the Related Art
Devices of this type are used to seize and handle a variety of objects, such as CDs or CD-ROMs that may suffer damage when handled directly. When handled directly, deposition of dust, saline perspiration and other kinds of pollution may occur from the surface of fingers, which is harmful to many different types of surfaces. It is a particular problem especially in connection with the handling of CDs and CD-ROMs that their removal from ordinary cassettes for storing the discs is extremely difficult due to the gripping means that secure the CDs in their central holes being released only with difficulty which means that the CDs must be twisted or broken loose from the cassette which may have the practical consequence that it is necessary to touch and optionally scratch or soil the surface of the CDs which is both extremely delicate and intolerant of precisely such scratches or soil since this may entail a poor reproduction of the tracks of the CD.
Such devices are known in which the suction elements are resilient whereby a light pressure against a plane face enables them to be firmly inspired there against. It may present a problem when such suction cup is to be let go when the object is to be released and in reality it is not possible to regulate the inspiration pressure. If more separate suction cups are used, complex devices are required to ensure that they let go of the surface simultaneously. In another type of prior art suction cups, a central part of the suction cup can be withdrawn upon abutment against the surface to create the requisite sub atmospheric pressure. In these prior art devices it will be very difficult—and involve an extremely complex construction—to configure the suction cups such that they have, to a very large extent, the shape of the objects to be seized by the relevant device.
Thus, FR patent application No 2750910 discloses a suction device for handling eg CDs, which suction device comprises a plurality of flexible suction cups that are connected via passages to a common ventilation opening. The ventilation opening is located such that the operator can close the opening by use of a finger. Hereby it is possible to press the suction device against the surface of a CD following which the operator closes the opening with his finger and thereby the elastic lips on the suction device will, due to its resilient abutment on the surface of the CD, form a sub atmospheric pressure that secures the CD to the suction device. However, it is a problem of such lifting devices that the CDs often have surfaces with pictures and the like printed thereon which may prevent the lips of the suction device from engaging completely sealingly with an ensuing risk that the CD is dropped after a relatively short time. It is a further problem that the prior art suction cups are to be pressed against the CD while applying a certain amount of force to inspire properly, and this is undesirable, it being most often the case that the CD is to be lifted from a drawer in a CD-player which is relatively fragile and does not readily tolerate a downward pressure.
Prior art document FR patent application No 2750910 further discloses a device which comprises one or more suction parts configured for inspiration against a plane face of the object, and a gripper configured for being seized and secured with one hand only, and where a movable piston body comprising a flexible, elastomer body which is arranged at the gripper for complete or partial filling and emptying of a void for providing, via one or more connecting passages, a sub atmospheric pressure between the suction parts and the plane face of the object upon abutment and inspiration against the object.
In order to release the object, the sub atmospheric pressure must be equalised, and according to the prior art, and this is done by applying further pressure to the piston body. This however is not always enough to equalise the pressure, as the suction parts may have become deformed during the inspiration process, and said deformation may cause a certain sub atmospheric pressure to prevail even when the elastomer body is fully depressed. In this case, the CD is stuck with the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the light of this, it is the object of the invention to provide a device for handling light objects wherein the sub atmospheric pressure in the suction means can be established in a simple manner, without necessitating that the suction cup has to be pressed against the object to be lifted, and where the objects lifted may at any time be safely released by equalizing the sub atmospheric pressure with the pressure of the surrounding environment.
This is obtained by a device of the kind described above wherein a service means is provided for a valve for establishing a connecting passage between the environment and the area between the suction parts and the plane face of the object for equalising the sub atmospheric pressure for releasing the object, and where said valve is configured underneath the elastomer body, whereby the service means is configured for being operated under influence of pressure through the elastomer body. The piston body makes it possible in a simple manner, eg by means of a finger not used for abutment on the gripper portion, to provide a well-defined sub atmospheric pressure in the void, and via connecting passages to transmit this sub atmospheric pressure to the area between the suction elements and the plane face of the object. In reality, the piston body and the void constitute a pump that imparts the sub atmospheric pressure to the suction cups, and by use of a central pump separated from the suction cups, it is possible to regulate the pressure in a simple manner in a single or more separate suction cups.
When the valve is located underneath the dome-shaped elastomer body and is configured for operation by pressure through the elastomer body, it is accomplished that the valve is within reach of a finger, irrespective of where the device is seized, and furthermore the valve will be hidden which contributes to maintaining a pleasant appearance.
A simple and readily operable device is obtained if the piston body is surrounded by the gripper in the form of an annular flange, whose outside is configured for abutment with fingers. In that case, the flange can be secured to the outside between two fingers, e.g., the thumb and the middle finger, in which case the index finger is used to operate the piston body.
The suction cups themselves can conveniently have a course that extends around the central area. In that case, the suction cup can form an annular region or can be constituted by one or more kidney-shaped parts. Hereby a relatively large suction area is obtained compared to the total area of a CD or any other item covered by the device.
Particularly in connection with CD-discs it has been found to be convenient if the abutment parts of the suction cups comprise lips that each have a small linear contact with the plane face of the item upon inspiration. The surface pressure on the contact faces between lips and CD is thereby high, and this contributes to preventing air from being drawn in between lips and CD.
However, it is also possible to configure the suction cups of the device, whose abutment parts comprise lips that each have a wide and flexible contact face with t
Cherry Johnny D.
Jacobson & Holman PLLC
Tommy Larsen A/S
LandOfFree
Device for handling discs, such as CDs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for handling discs, such as CDs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for handling discs, such as CDs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2580812