Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Utilizing fluid pressure – Venturi effect
Utility Patent
1999-04-13
2001-01-02
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Utilizing fluid pressure
Venturi effect
C414S627000
Utility Patent
active
06168220
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vacuum manipulation device, having a lifter hose, which can be connected to a vacuum-generating device, and a suction gripper device, which can be placed on an object to be manipulated and with which the object can be drawn up by suction and lifted by contracting the lifter hose, wherein the suction gripper device has a prestressed regulating member on its suction side, which is actuated by placing the suction gripper device on the object and which thereby unblocks a flow cross-section, so that the object can be drawn up by suction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such vacuum manipulation devices are known. When placing the suction gripper device, which can be controlled by means of a handle element, on an object to be lifted, the regulating member provided on the suction side is pushed inward, as a result of which a flow cross section between the suction side of the suction gripper device and the interior of the lifter hose is unblocked, so that the object can be drawn up by suction and lifted by the contraction of the lifter hose. If now the drawn-up object is inadvertently released from the suction side, the prestressed regulating member is pushed back into its initial position, as a result of which the flow cross-section is blocked. There is now the danger that because of the lack of a load the suction gripper device can abruptly be accelerate upward. But the danger of injury to the operators is connected with this.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to prevent the abrupt upward acceleration of the above described suction gripper device.
In a vacuum manipulation device of the type described at the outset, this object is attained in that the regulating member can be arrested in its actuated position, so that in case of the unintentional release of a drawn-up object from the suction side of the suction gripper device, the flow cross-section is not again blocked, and in this way the abrupt upward acceleration of the suction gripper device is prevented.
Thus, the regulating member is arrested in any arbitrary manner (mechanically, magnetically, electromagnetically) in its actuated position caused by the suction gripper device being placed on the object, so that it keeps the flow cross-section open, even when the object is released. In this case sufficient air can reach the interior of the lifter hose so that the above mentioned undesired effect does not occur.
The regulating member can be designed in a manner which per se is arbitrary. In an advantageous manner this is a plunger, which can be moved back and forth and which is preferably provided within a suction plate of the suction gripper device.
In a simple and therefore advantageous manner, the plunger is spring-loaded in the direction of its non-actuated initial position.
Fixing in place of the regulating member in its actuated position can be achieved in different ways, for example in a mechanical, magnetic or electromagnetic manner, by interlocking or by frictional connection. It has been shown to be particularly advantageous if the regulating member can be locked in place in its actuated position. In this case, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the regulating member has a detent recess, in which blocking means can be locked when the plunger has been brought into its actuated position.
The blocking means can be a locking pin, which can be moved transversely to the displacement direction of the regulating member.
It has furthermore been shown to be advantageous if the regulating member can be released from its actuated position by means of an operating unit of the suction gripper device.
Further characteristics, details and advantages of the present invention ensue from the following claims and from the drawing representation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2274304 (1942-02-01), Perry
patent: 3084928 (1963-04-01), Opitz
patent: 3602543 (1971-08-01), Sjodin
patent: 4561687 (1985-12-01), Bostrom
patent: 5431469 (1995-07-01), Ohno et al.
patent: 3325207A1 (1985-01-01), None
patent: 2511-921 (1983-03-01), None
patent: 57-4840 (1982-01-01), None
patent: 163735 (1964-07-01), None
patent: WO 96/03602 (1996-02-01), None
Schmalz Kurt
Schmalz Wolfgang
J. Schmalz GmbH
Jones Tullar & Cooper P.C.
Kramer Dean J.
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