Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hook – hoistline – or grab type – Locking device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-05-01
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 2167)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hook, hoistline, or grab type
Locking device
C294S106000, C901S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224122
ABSTRACT:
SPECIFICATION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of clamps for handling bales of rubber.
2. Background of the Invention
Raw rubber is a unique product that requires specialized equipment for handling and packaging. Raw rubber is manufactured in bales, which are sized for placement in shipping containers. As a bale of such rubber sits in an unconfined space, it cold flows, becoming wider and shorter. Such bales must be individually wrapped with plastic so that, when the bales are placed together in containers for shipping, they do not cold flow and merge with each other. Further, because cold flow is a constant process, the bales, before wrapping or packaging, must be re-compressed to their desired shipping dimensions.
In the prior art, a bale is handled with a pneumatic handling clamp that includes a plurality of paddles. The paddles are hinged from a frame, and assemblies of pneumatic pistons and cylinders actuate the paddles, placing the paddles in contact with each side of the bale. In such manner, the handling clamp grasps the bale. The handling clamp is attached to a robotic arm, facilitating lifting and moving of the bale. When the bale has been placed by the handling clamp in a desired location, the paddles are opened, releasing the bale.
Prior art handling clamps exhibit a simple lever mechanism connecting the piston and cylinder assembly to the paddles. The problem with the handling clamps of the prior art is that they have limited clamping force due to mechanical disadvantage. As a result, while prior art handling clamps are adequate to lift and move bales, they fail to generate force sufficient to compress the bales. The apparent solution to this problem is to increase the size of the pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies of the handling clamps. However, practical considerations limit the size of handling clamps, and factories manufacturing rubber typically utilize only “shop air,” or air compressed at about 80-120 psi, to drive its wide variety of equipment, including handling clamps. Thus, pneumatic piston and cylinder size requirements using “shop air” as a driving force makes such a solution impractical.
To compensate for the foregoing inadequacy in the compression of prior art handling clamps, the prior art teaches the use of a separate, high-compression, fixed clamp, to which a conveyor transports a bale for compression immediately after manufacture and immediately before packaging. After compression by the fixed clamp, the handling clamp grasps the bale and moves it for packaging. The disadvantages of this dual clamp packaging method include increased machinery costs, delays in packaging, need to package immediately after manufacture, and increased mechanical complexity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention includes a variable-leverage mechanism connection between the piston and cylinder assemblies and the paddles. The mechanism may be a toggle or a cam any other suitable variable leverage mechanism.
There is provided in this disclosure a high pressure clamp for handling bales of rubber comprising a frame; a connection point for connecting the frame to a robotic arm; a plurality of paddles, the paddles including arms, and hinges moveably connected to the arms; a plurality of piston and cylinder assembles; and a variable leverage connection connecting the arms and assembles. The variable leverage connection may be a toggle arm. The piston and cylinder assembly may be pneumatic. The pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly may have an operating pressure between 80 and 120 psi.
There is also provided in this disclosure a method of providing high-pressure clamping force in a clamp for handling bales of rubber, the clamp comprising a piston and cylinder assembly and a paddle, the method comprising the steps of actuating the piston and cylinder assembly; applying a force from the actuating piston and cylinder assembly to the paddle; and variably leveraging the force between the actuating piston and cylinder assembly and the paddle during a stroke of the piston and cylinder assembly.
There is also provided in this disclosure, a method of compressing and lifting a bale of rubber comprising the steps of surrounding a bale of rubber with paddles; actuating a plurality of pistons whereby a mechanical displacement is effected; variably leveraging the mechanical displacement; and applying the mechanical displacement to an arm of the paddles.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3410431 (1968-11-01), Vik
patent: 3631989 (1972-01-01), McCormick
patent: 4090628 (1978-05-01), Sinclair
patent: 4304433 (1981-12-01), Langowski
patent: 4728137 (1988-03-01), Hamed et al.
patent: 5028085 (1991-07-01), Dudley, Jr.
patent: 5516255 (1996-05-01), Tygard
patent: 5588794 (1996-12-01), Panyard
patent: 5890754 (1999-04-01), Murr
patent: 6056341 (2000-05-01), Bliss
Page from PH Fluid Power, No Date.
Sage Automation, Inc. Advertisement, No Date.
Fulbright & Jaworski
Kramer Dean J.
Sage Automation, Inc.
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