US3741409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer apparatus for articles with a vertical passage
Assignee: Freeport Brick Co
•
Filing: 1971-12-01
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-12-01
Abstract
Abstract An inflator head provided with an opening through it is supported for vertical and lateral movement. Secured to the head around its opening is the open upper end of a resilient bag that extends downwardly from the head for insertion in an article having a vertical opening in it. There are means connected with the head opening for delivering air under pressure to the bag to inflate it and for releasing the air pressure from the bag. Means are also provided for raising the head-supporting means so that after the bag has been inflated in an article to grip the wall of the opening therein the article can be picked up by the bag and transferred to another location.
Inventors
- 👤 P Painter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G61/00; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/46; B66C13/00; B66C13/18; B66C23/00; B66C23/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
Transfer apparatus for articles having a vertical passage therein, comprising overhead supporting means, suspension means hung from said supporting means and rotatable around a vertical axis, laterally extending arm means pivoted on a horizontal axis to said suspension means, a leg extending downwardly from one end of said arm means, means pivoting the upper end of the leg to the arm means on a horizontal axis, pneumatically operated means carried by said suspension means and connected with said arm means for tilting said end of said arm means up to raise tHe leg, a hand grip swivel member beneath said leg manually rotatable on its vertical axis, flexible joint means connected to the lower end of the leg and supporting said swivel member, an inflator head connected with the lower end of said swivel member and provided with an opening therethrough, a resilient bag with an open upper end secured to said head around said opening and extending downwardly therefrom for insertion in one of said articles, a manual control member carried by said swivel member, means controlled by said control member for supplying air under pressure to said bag and to said pneumatically operated means, and means for delaying said supplying of air pressure to said pneumatically operated means until the bag has been inflated, whereby a workman beneath said arm means and gripping said swivel member with one hand can control with that hand inflation of the bag and its vertical and lateral movements and can swing the swivel member laterally in a circle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
Transfer apparatus for articles having a vertical passage therein, comprising overhead supporting means, suspension means hung from said supporting means and rotatable around a vertical axis, laterally extending arm means pivoted on a horizontal axis to said suspension means, a leg extending downwardly from one end of said arm means, means pivoting the upper end of the leg to the arm means on a horizontal axis, pneumatically operated means carried by said suspension means and connected with said arm means for tilting said end of said arm means up to raise tHe leg, a hand grip swivel member beneath said leg manually rotatable on its vertical axis, flexible joint means connected to the lower end of the leg and supporting said swivel member, an inflator head connected with the lower end of said swivel member and provided with an opening therethrough, a resilient bag with an open upper end secured to said head around said opening and extending downwardly therefrom for insertion in one of said articles, a manual control member carried by said swivel member, means controlled by said control member for supplying air under pressure to said bag and to said pneumatically operated means, and means for delaying said supplying of air pressure to said pneumatically operated means until the bag has been inflated, whereby a workman beneath said arm means and gripping said swivel member with one hand can control with that hand inflation of the bag and its vertical and lateral movements and can swing the swivel member laterally in a circle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which said arm means extends laterally from opposite sides of said suspension means, the apparatus including a counterweight on the end of said arm means opposite said one end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 1, including adjustable means for delivering air under pressure to said pneumatically operated means to balance said arm means while under no-load conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 1, including a first conduit connected with said head opening, and a second conduit for delivering sufficient pressure to said pneumatically operated means to raise said end of said arm means, said delaying means comprising pilot valve means normally closing said second conduit, and means controlled by said control member for operating said pilot valve means to open the second conduit after the bag has been inflated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which said delaying means include a pressure reducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 4, in which said second conduit is under continuous air pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 4, in which said means controlled by said control member include a third conduit for delivering air under pressure to said pilot valve means to operate it, and a pressure reducer in the third conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 4, in which said means controlled by said control member includes a shuttle valve controlling said pilot valve means, means for delivering air to said shuttle valve to shift it in one direction, and means operative when said control member is released to reverse the shuttle valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 4, including a first conduit connected with said head opening, and a second conduit for delivering sufficient pressure to said pneumatically operated means to raise said end of said arm means, said delaying means comprising pilot valve means normally closing said second conduit, a third conduit for delivering air under pressure to said pilot valve means to operate it, and a pressure reducer in the third conduit, air under pressure being delivered to said third conduit when said control member is actuated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Transfer apparatus according to claim 9, including adjustable means for delivering air under pressure to said pneumatically operated means to balance said arm means while under no-load conditions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3510018A
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US3540603A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |