Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hook – hoistline – or grab type – Locking device
Patent
1997-03-19
1998-11-17
Cherry, Johnny D.
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hook, hoistline, or grab type
Locking device
294115, 294902, 901 37, 901 39, B25J 1508
Patent
active
058366334
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a gripping arrangement which functions to grip and hold or release material with the aid of a number of movable gripping devices, and relates more particularly to such arrangements which include a centrally positioned and axially extending main cart which is adapted to carry a piston-cylinder device which is movable reciprocatingly in relation to said main Dart and whose axial movement can be translated to radial movement of said gripping devices through the medium of a lever means.
The arrangement according to the present invention utilizes a lever means belonging to each gripping device where the lever means is pivotal in relation to the main part and includes a part which coacts with the piston-cylinder device and a part which coacts with the gripping device.
Arrangements of this kind are used to a large extent in program controlled machine tools, such as CNC lathes and CNC multi-operation machines, although the invention is not restricted to this technical field.
When applying the present invention, the proposed arrangement is intended to grip and hold raw material and move the material into coaction with a chuck, whereafter the raw material is machined with the aid of tool sets, and thereafter grip and hold the machined workpiece and withdraw the same from the chuck.
Alternatively, the arrangement can also or solely be used as a rod feed unit, from a chuck or the like.
The arrangement is also designed so that it is able to release its gripping and holding coaction with the material by moving the gripping devices in the reverse direction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
Several designs of arrangements of this kind are known to the art, and can possibly be classified as falling within either one of two different structural and functional principles.
One constructional principle is to guide the gripping devices or the clamping jaws in channels to obtain purely radial movement of said devices or said jaws, as in the case of a chuck.
Reference is made to the following publications with regard to this constructional principle:
Another constructional principle is to mount the gripping devices or the clamping jaws for pivotal movement about a pivot axis or axle, with the gripping surfaces of the gripping devices or clamping jaws moving in a radial although circular-arcuate path.
Examples of earlier known arrangements of this latter kind are found in:
It is also known in the case of arrangements of this kind for said main part to carry a piston-cylinder device which is movable reciprocatingly in relation to said main part and whose axial movement is translated into radial movement of the gripping surfaces belonging to said gripping devices, through the medium of a number of lever means, such as two-arm lever means.
It is also known to activate the piston-cylinder device with the aid of the pressure of a coolant supply used normally to cool material and tools in a machining operation, such as to be able to move the piston-cylinder device to a gripping and holding position, and to cause the piston-cylinder device to return to a starting position upon cessation of the pressure with the aid of spring means, so as to open the gripping devices and therewith enable the workpiece to be removed therefrom.
It is also known to activate the piston-cylinder device with the aid of other hydraulic media or Faith the aid of a pneumatic arrangement.
The present invention is intended for use with both of the aforesaid construction principles, although the inventive principle is more beneficial with regard to those construction principles in which the gripping devices are each movable about an individual rotational axis, such that said gripping surfaces will move radially in a circular-arcuate path around the central axis of rotation.
As further examples of prior art, pertaining to the present invention, references are made to the following publications:
This publication describes an arrangement with three exchangeable or replaceable gripping devices. These gripping devices
REFERENCES:
patent: 1274685 (1918-08-01), Cline
patent: 1392678 (1921-10-01), Buhr
patent: 1646938 (1927-10-01), Steiger
patent: 2381657 (1945-08-01), Eksergian et al.
patent: 2457909 (1949-01-01), McKay et al.
patent: 2573403 (1951-10-01), Church
patent: 2845275 (1958-07-01), Skillin
patent: 3085814 (1963-04-01), Scott
patent: 3386297 (1968-06-01), Willis
patent: 3512824 (1970-05-01), Bautz et al.
patent: 3981673 (1976-09-01), Sokolow
patent: 4540211 (1985-09-01), Masserang
patent: 4733895 (1988-03-01), Hawkes
patent: 4784422 (1988-11-01), Jones et al.
patent: 5280981 (1994-01-01), Schultz
LandOfFree
Gripping arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gripping arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gripping arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-877584