US3623637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum chuck and methods of transferring workpieces
Assignee: AT&T Teletype Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A workpiece is drawn by vacuum through a passage in a housing and into a chamber into which a chuck having a bore through its length and a workpiece engaging end is slidably extended. The end of the workpiece which enters the chamber last is drawn by vacuum into, and held within, the bore at the workpiece engaging end of the chuck. The chuck, and therefore the workpiece, is then advanced through a gate in a second passage to the outside of the housing to deliver the workpiece to a workpiece-receiving tool. The chuck is then retracted in preparation for the next operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion F Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:29
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/04; H05K13/0404; H05K13/0408; H05K13/0409; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/4913; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/53174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for transferring and handling a workpiece, which comprises: a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber; a workpiece holder movably mounted in the second passage with its inner, workpiece-receiving end extending toward the chamber; means for conveying the workpiece through the first passage and into the chamber with a leading end of the workpiece foremost and a lagging end hindmost and into engagement with the holder with the lagging end foremost; and means for moving the holder in the second passage to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for transferring and handling a workpiece, which comprises: a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber; a workpiece holder movably mounted in the second passage with its inner, workpiece-receiving end extending toward the chamber; means for conveying the workpiece through the first passage and into the chamber with a leading end of the workpiece foremost and a lagging end hindmost and into engagement with the holder with the lagging end foremost; and means for moving the holder in the second passage to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
A device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the housing has a third passage of sufficient size to slidably receive the workpiece and the inner end of the holder, the third passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, and being aligned with the second passage and separated from the second passage by the chamber; the holder-moving means operates to move the inner end of the holder through the third passage to carry a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber; and means are provided for sealing the third passage prior to the time that the workpiece engages the holder, and for opening the third passage thereafter to permit movement of the holder therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A device as recited in claim 1, for use with an elongated, generally cylindrical article, wherein: the first passage is a cylindrical passage arranged to feed the article longitudinally therethrough and entirely into the chamber; and a receiving member is mounted in the chamber in line with the inner end of the first passage for receiving the article after it passes through the first passage and for orienting the article to a position in alignment with the inner end of second passage, after which the conveying means moves the article into the second passage and into engagement with the holder.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
122 words
A device for transferring and handling an article, which comprises: a housing having a V-shaped passage of a cross section sufficient to pass the article, the article being introduced into the outer end of a first arm of the V, the base of the V being closed and of sufficient size to pass the article from one arm to the other; means for withdrawing air from the second arm of the V to establish an airflow through the first arm sufficient to advance the article along the first arm to the base of the V and then outward along the second arm; and means located in the second arm for engaging and holding the article as it moves along the second arm.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
122 words
A device for transferring and handling an article, which comprises: a housing having a V-shaped passage of a cross section sufficient to pass the article, the article being introduced into the outer end of a first arm of the V, the base of the V being closed and of sufficient size to pass the article from one arm to the other; means for withdrawing air from the second arm of the V to establish an airflow through the first arm sufficient to advance the article along the first arm to the base of the V and then outward along the second arm; and means located in the second arm for engaging and holding the article as it moves along the second arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 4, wherein: the passage is Y-shaped; and means are provided at the base of the Y for receiving the article from the first arm and for orienting the article into an aligned position facing the inner end of the second arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
A device as received in claim 5, for use with an elongated cylindrical article, wherein: the first arm is a cylindrical passage arranged to fEed the article longitudinally completely therethrough and into the base leg of the Y; the base leg includes a member having a closed cylindrical passage constituting the receiving and orienting means, arranged to receive the article from the first passage and temporarily hold it with the end which entered the first arm last facing the second arm in alignment therewith; and the second arm includes a cylindrical passage designed to receive the originally trailing end of the article; and a vacuum chuck is mounted in the second arm for receiving and holding the originally trailing end of the article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as recited in claim 6, further comprising: means for moving a portion of the vacuum chuck through the base leg of the Y to transport the originally trailing end of the article outside of the housing.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of transferring and handling a workpiece, which comprises: conveying the workpiece through a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, so that the workpiece advances through the first passage and into the chamber with a leading end of the workpiece foremost and a lagging end hindmost and then into the second passage with the lagging end foremost; engaging the workpiece as it advances into the second passage and holding it with a workpiece holder movably mounted in the second passage with its workpiece-receiving end extending toward the chamber; and moving the holder in the second passage to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of transferring and handling a workpiece, which comprises: conveying the workpiece through a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, so that the workpiece advances through the first passage and into the chamber with a leading end of the workpiece foremost and a lagging end hindmost and then into the second passage with the lagging end foremost; engaging the workpiece as it advances into the second passage and holding it with a workpiece holder movably mounted in the second passage with its workpiece-receiving end extending toward the chamber; and moving the holder in the second passage to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as recited in claim 8, wherein: the step of moving the holder comprises moving the holder through a third passage provided in the housing in alignment with the second passage and separated from the second passage with the chamber; and the third passage is sealed prior to the time that the workpiece engages the holder and is opened thereafter to permit movement of the holder therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as recited in claim 7, for use with an elongated generally cylindrical article, wherein: the article is fed longitudinally through the first passage and advances entirely into the chamber; and the article is oriented after it has advanced into the chamber to a position in alignment with the inner end of the second passage, after which the article is conveyed into the second passage and into engagement with the holder.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
245 words
A device for transferring and handling a workpiece, which comprises: a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber; a chuck movably mounted in the second passage with its inner, workpiece-receiving end extending toward the chamber and having a bore extending through its length and designed for receiving a portion of the workpiece, the bore having means therein for stopping the workpiece in a desired position; means for withdrawing air from the bore of the chuck so that air is drawn from the first passage, through the chamber, and then through the bore in the chuck to feed the article by vacuum in sequence through the first passage, the chamber, and then the bore to a rest position within the chuck; a third passage in the housing of sufficient size to slidably receive the workpiece and the chuck, the third passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, and being aligned with the second passage and separated from the second passage by the chamber; means for moving the chuck in the second passage so that the lower end of the chuck passes through the third passage to carry at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber; and means for sealing the third passage prior to the time that the workpiece engages the chuck, and for opening the third passage thereafter to permit movement of the chuck therethrough.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
245 words
A device for transferring and handling a workpiece, which comprises: a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber; a chuck movably mounted in the second passage with its inner, workpiece-receiving end extending toward the chamber and having a bore extending through its length and designed for receiving a portion of the workpiece, the bore having means therein for stopping the workpiece in a desired position; means for withdrawing air from the bore of the chuck so that air is drawn from the first passage, through the chamber, and then through the bore in the chuck to feed the article by vacuum in sequence through the first passage, the chamber, and then the bore to a rest position within the chuck; a third passage in the housing of sufficient size to slidably receive the workpiece and the chuck, the third passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, and being aligned with the second passage and separated from the second passage by the chamber; means for moving the chuck in the second passage so that the lower end of the chuck passes through the third passage to carry at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber; and means for sealing the third passage prior to the time that the workpiece engages the chuck, and for opening the third passage thereafter to permit movement of the chuck therethrough.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
221 words
A device for transferring and handling an elongated, generally cylindrical article, which comprises: a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, the first passage having a cylindrical shape and being arranged to feed the article longitudinally therethrough and entirely into the chamber; an article holder movably mounted in the second passage with its inner, article-receiving end extending toward the chamber; means for exhausting air from the second passage to draw the article by suction through the first passage, into the chamber, and then into the second passage for engagement with the article-receiving end of the holder, the exhausting means and the passages being arranged so that the portion of the article which enters the chamber last approaches the holder first; a receiving member mounted in the chamber in line with the inner end of the first passage for receiving the article after it passes through the first passage and for orienting the article to a position in alignment with the inner end of the second passage, after which the air exhausting means moves the article into the second passage and into engagement with the holder; and means for moving the holder in the second passage to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
221 words
A device for transferring and handling an elongated, generally cylindrical article, which comprises: a housing having a chamber and first and second passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, the first passage having a cylindrical shape and being arranged to feed the article longitudinally therethrough and entirely into the chamber; an article holder movably mounted in the second passage with its inner, article-receiving end extending toward the chamber; means for exhausting air from the second passage to draw the article by suction through the first passage, into the chamber, and then into the second passage for engagement with the article-receiving end of the holder, the exhausting means and the passages being arranged so that the portion of the article which enters the chamber last approaches the holder first; a receiving member mounted in the chamber in line with the inner end of the first passage for receiving the article after it passes through the first passage and for orienting the article to a position in alignment with the inner end of the second passage, after which the air exhausting means moves the article into the second passage and into engagement with the holder; and means for moving the holder in the second passage to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 12, wherein the chamber and passages are arranged in a Y-shaped configuration, the first and second passages comprising the arms of the Y and the chamber comprising the base leg, the receiving member being located at the base of the Y.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
114 words
A device as recited in claim 13, wherein: the base leg of the Y comprises a third passage aligned with the second passage, the third passage being sufficiently large to slidably receive the article and the inner end of the holder; a movable gate is provided at the base of the Y for sealing the third passage while the article is being transferred to the holder; means are provided for opening the gate when it is desired to remove the article from the chamber; and the holder-moving means comprises means for moving the holder so that the work-receiving end passes through the third passage to carry a portion of the article outside the housing.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of transferring and handling a workpiece, the workpiece being transferred through a housing having a chamber and first, second and third passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, which comprises: withdrawing air from the second passage and from a bore in a holder movably mounted in the second passage, so that air is drawn from the first passage, through the chamber and then through the bore in the holder to feed the workpiece by vacuum in sequence through the first passage, the chamber, and to a rest position within the holder; moving the holder in the second passage and through the third passage, the third passage being in alignment with the second passage and separated from the second passage with the chamber, to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber; and sealing the third passage prior to the time that the workpiece engages the holder and opening the third passage thereafter to permit movement of the holder therethrough.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of transferring and handling a workpiece, the workpiece being transferred through a housing having a chamber and first, second and third passages, each passage extending between the outside of the housing and the chamber, which comprises: withdrawing air from the second passage and from a bore in a holder movably mounted in the second passage, so that air is drawn from the first passage, through the chamber and then through the bore in the holder to feed the workpiece by vacuum in sequence through the first passage, the chamber, and to a rest position within the holder; moving the holder in the second passage and through the third passage, the third passage being in alignment with the second passage and separated from the second passage with the chamber, to position at least a portion of the workpiece outside the chamber; and sealing the third passage prior to the time that the workpiece engages the holder and opening the third passage thereafter to permit movement of the holder therethrough.
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) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |