US3610393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lifter for use with automatic tong unloader
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1970-02-11
•
Granted: 1971-10-05
•
Expires: 1990-02-11
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure shows apparatus and method for transferring a tong suspended glass sheet from a first conveyor system to a peg conveyor in a relatively gentle manner by engaging the tong suspended glass sheet at its bottom edge and then lifting the glass upwardly to relax the tongs. The relaxed tongs are then engaged and held in the relaxed position while the bottom edge supporting member lowers the glass toward the peg conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E Richardson
- 👤 Gordon F Pereman
- 👤 John D Kellar
- 👤 Jan G Borremans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:58
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B35/00; C03B35/14; C03B35/20; B; B65; B65G; B65G37/00; B65G49/00; B65G49/05; B65G49/06; B65G49/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of transferring a rigid sheet of material suspended from tongs which engage an upper edge portion of the sheet to a further support means comprising the steps of applying a lifting force to a lower edge portion of the sheet to lift the latter and effect a relaxation of said tongs and disengagement of the latter from the sheet, thereafter engaging said tongs to maintain the same in the relaxed condition, and lowering said sheet downwardly onto said further support while maintaining the tongs in said relaxed condition thereby effecting a transfer of the sheet from tong suspension to said further support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of transferring a rigid sheet of material suspended from tongs which engage an upper edge portion of the sheet to a further support means comprising the steps of applying a lifting force to a lower edge portion of the sheet to lift the latter and effect a relaxation of said tongs and disengagement of the latter from the sheet, thereafter engaging said tongs to maintain the same in the relaxed condition, and lowering said sheet downwardly onto said further support while maintaining the tongs in said relaxed condition thereby effecting a transfer of the sheet from tong suspension to said further support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of conveying rigid sheets of said material while suspended from said tongs along a first conveyor to a sheet transfer station, arresting the movement of each said sheet at said transfer station, and thereafter effecting the transfer of each said sheet to a second conveyor system which defines said further support means, and advancing the sheets transferred to the second conveyor system in step-by-step fashion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said lifting force is applied to said sheet only when a predetermined interval of time after said sheet has reached said transfer station has elapsed, said interval of time being sufficient as to allow pendulumlike motion of said sheet set up by movement of the latter along the first conveyor to reduce to a desired level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the rigid sheet is of glass and wherein said tongs apply a gripping force to opposing sides of an upper edge portion of the glass sheet while said glass sheet is heat treated during its conveyance along said first conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |