Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Patent
1996-01-25
1997-09-02
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
527317, 527304, 52239, 527312, E04C 330
Patent
active
056619456
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is the U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/SE94/00749 filed Aug. 27, 1994.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a universal beam for supporting a movable load, the manufacture of which includes extrusion, said beam having a substantially symmetrical U-shaped profile, between the shanks of which is a connecting member and below that a space for means to support, guide and drive the load, the height and width of the beam being approximately equal and its corners being provided with thicker portions for attachment.
The object of the invention is to provide a beam of extrudable material which can be used for many advanced applications, the multiplicity of applications being enabled by designing a beam that, thanks to its low weight, is easily manageable and inexpensive even in considerable lengths and long tracks, which is easy to assemble and gives a rigid, strong attachment that, despite its low weight enables precision handling of loads with maximum weight and acceleration in the most varying kinds of loading, that suits widely differing drive systems, that permits the load to be moved and controlled quietly and that also fulfils strict hygienic demands. The beam is primarily designed for robots and other load handlers with payloads that are moved in different dimensions, at least one of which is a linear dimension.
As far as is known no beam exists that comes close to fulfilling all these requirements. The beams coming closest are all made from extruded aluminium alloys. However, they have all been developed for specific applications and it is therefore natural that they do not have the properties described above qualifying them to be termed universal beams. The beam shown in German patent specification 3 336 496, for instance, permits quiet and rapid load transfer but is not a universal beam. In relation to its weight, it exhibits poor rigidity when loaded transversely to its longitudinal axis and its torsional stiffness is extremely poor which means, for instance, that two parallel beams must be used where a single universal beam according to the present invention would suffice. It is also heavy and cumbersome to handle and assemble. It requires expensive external arrangements for its attachment, and rigid intermediate supports arranged at short intervals if appreciable rigidity and bearing capacity are to be achieved.
Said limitations also apply to an even greater extent to the beam shown in Swedish patent specification 449,200. This beam is totally incapable of handling loads during acceleration that produces torsional moment about the longitudinal axis of the beam for the simple reason that trucks that can be built into the beam are quite incapable of transmitting such torsional moment.
There are also several beams and linear systems that include an extruded aluminium profile whose width and height differ greatly. Such a profile cannot fall under the concept universal beam since it only has satisfactory flexural rigidity in one direction and its torsional stiffness is poor in relation to its weight. Furthermore, without external arrangements, it is not suitable for applications requiring good hygiene, nor where quiet running is a requirement.
Finally, there are examples of beam profiles with satisfactory flexural rigidity in all directions and satisfactory torsional stiffness, but they are not arranged to permit the use of quietly moving trucks. The user must insert special linear elements with tracks for balls or rollers. Such elements cause disturbing noise and are sensitive to tough environments. They are also expensive. The user of such beam profiles must also rely on belt transmission, thereby limiting application to relatively short tracks. Thus such beam profiles also fail to qualify for the term of universal beam.
The universal beam for movable loads according to the invention is manufactured primarily by means of extrusion. It has a substantially symmetrical, U-shaped profile,
REFERENCES:
patent: 2082792 (1937-06-01), Dean
patent: 3544181 (1970-12-01), Schottland
patent: 4342144 (1982-08-01), Doguchi
patent: 5200240 (1993-04-01), Baker
patent: 5211502 (1993-05-01), Upham-Hill
patent: 5339571 (1994-08-01), Fassler
patent: 5394658 (1995-03-01), Scheeiner et al.
Henriksson Anders
Stenstrom Lennart
Stenstrom Valter
Friedman Carl D.
Transman AB
Yip Winnie
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