US3716147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stacker crane order picker
Assignee: Eaton Corp
•
Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An article-handling apparatus removes a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles. The article-handling apparatus includes an article-engaging means which is movable to an article pickup position at which the article engaging means picks up articles. The article-handling apparatus also includes sensing means which is associated with the article pickup means and operates to sense the number of articles supported by the article-pickup means. The sensing means controls a means which is operable to control the number of articles picked up by the article pickup means.
Inventors
- 👤 G Pipes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/137; B65G1/1373; B65G1/1375; B65G59/00; B65G59/02; B65G59/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An article handling apparatus for removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles, comprising a plurality of vacuum pickup devices engageable with articles in said matrix, means for activating said vacuum pickup devices to engage the entire matrix of articles for pickup, sensing means for sensing the number of articles actually engaged by said pickup devices, and means responsive tO said sensing means to selectively break the vacuum to said pickup devices to deactivate certain of said pickup devices to limit the articles retained for pickup by said pickup devices to a number no greater than said predetermined number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An article handling apparatus for removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles, comprising a plurality of vacuum pickup devices engageable with articles in said matrix, means for activating said vacuum pickup devices to engage the entire matrix of articles for pickup, sensing means for sensing the number of articles actually engaged by said pickup devices, and means responsive tO said sensing means to selectively break the vacuum to said pickup devices to deactivate certain of said pickup devices to limit the articles retained for pickup by said pickup devices to a number no greater than said predetermined number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
An article handling apparatus for removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles, comprising a plurality of vacuum pickup devices engageable with articles in said matrix, means for activating said vacuum pickup devices to engage the entire matrix of articles for pickup, sensing means for sensing the number of articles actually engaged by said pickup devices, and means responsive tO said sensing means to selectively break the vacuum to said pickup devices to deactivate certain of said pickup devices to limit the articles retained for pickup by said pickup devices to a number no greater than said predetermined number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
An article handling apparatus for removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles, comprising a plurality of vacuum pickup devices engageable with articles in said matrix, means for activating said vacuum pickup devices to engage the entire matrix of articles for pickup, sensing means for sensing the number of articles actually engaged by said pickup devices, and means responsive tO said sensing means to selectively break the vacuum to said pickup devices to deactivate certain of said pickup devices to limit the articles retained for pickup by said pickup devices to a number no greater than said predetermined number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said deactivating means includes control valve means for sequentially deactivating said pickup devices until a predetermined number of articles are supported thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An article-handling apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said control valve means includes individual control valves connected to individual pickup devices so that when one of said control valves is activated, the respective pickup device connected thereto is deactivated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
An article-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pickup means comprises a plurality of suction devices, and said means for activating said suction devices includes valve means responsive to the ability of each suction device to maintain a vacuum which closes to block the application of suction to a suction device if the device is not located over an article.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for selectively removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles comprising the steps of positioning vacuum actuated article-engaging means adjacent the matrix of articles at an article pickup position, activating the article-engaging means by applying a vacuum thereto to engage the entire matrix of articles at the article pickup position, sensing the number of articles engaged by the article-engaging means, and selectively breaking the vacuum to certain of said article engaging means to control the number of articles retained by the article engaging means in response to the sensing.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for selectively removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles comprising the steps of positioning vacuum actuated article-engaging means adjacent the matrix of articles at an article pickup position, activating the article-engaging means by applying a vacuum thereto to engage the entire matrix of articles at the article pickup position, sensing the number of articles engaged by the article-engaging means, and selectively breaking the vacuum to certain of said article engaging means to control the number of articles retained by the article engaging means in response to the sensing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
An article handling apparatus for removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles, comprising a plurality of pickup devices engageable with articles in said matrix, means for activating said pickup devices to engage articles in said matrix for pickup, means associated with said pickup devices for lifting and supporting articles engaged thereby, sensing means including a sensor for determining the weight supported by said pickup devices effective to determine the number of articles engaged by said pickup devices, and means responsive to said sensing means to selectively deactivate certain of said pickup devices to control the number of articles engaged for pickup by said pickup devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
An article handling apparatus for removing a predetermined number of articles from a matrix of articles, comprising a plurality of pickup devices engageable with articles in said matrix, means for activating said pickup devices to engage articles in said matrix for pickup, means associated with said pickup devices for lifting and supporting articles engaged thereby, sensing means including a sensor for determining the weight supported by said pickup devices effective to determine the number of articles engaged by said pickup devices, and means responsive to said sensing means to selectively deactivate certain of said pickup devices to control the number of articles engaged for pickup by said pickup devices.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2578220A
Cited
US3351219A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |