US3756563A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for handling objects
Assignee: ZIMMERMAN Mfg ING D
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Filing: 1971-12-01
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-12-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for handling objects is provided with controls to automatically regulate fluid pressure in a fluid-operated hoist under certain conditions. The apparatus includes a fluid-operated hoist, fluid-operated, object-engaging means, and responsive means sensitive to the pressure of the fluid of the objectengaging means to change the pressure of the fluid supplied to the hoist. In a preferred embodiment, the object-engaging means is embodied in a headlight aiming instrument which adjusts the headlights of automobiles on an assembly line. The aiming instrument includes a vacuum cup constituting the object-engaging means, which is affixed to the lens of the headlight. The instrument then adjusts the aim of the headlight to a predetermined position automatically. Since the weight of the instrument itself is accommodated in the adjustment, the hoist is controlled to balance the weight of the instrument until the vacuum cup is engaged with the headlight. At that time, the responsive means will lower the pressure in the hoist to just balance the cable and the connector which attaches the cable to the instrument. This leaves the full weight of the instrument itself unbalanced, as if no hoist were present. As soon as the vacuum is released, through the responsive means the pressure in the hoist is raised to balance the weight of the instrument in addition to the cable and connector. The invention can also be applied to fixtures having fluid-operated object-engaging means. When an object is engaged by the engaging means, the pressure in the hoist can be automatically raised to equal or exceed the weight of the object, in addition to the fixture, the engaging means, and the cable, to raise the object or enable an operator to raise it. All of the pressure changes are accomplished without any manipulation by the operator being required.
Inventors
- 👤 C Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:40
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66D; B66D3/00; B66D3/18; B66D2700/00; B66D2700/02; B66D2700/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for handling an object comprising a pneumaticallyoperated hoist having a housing, drum means movable in said housing, elongate flexible means connected to said drum means, a power chamber formed in said housing, piston means effective to move the drum means in the housing when fluid under sufficient pressure is supplied to said chamber, a pressure regulator for controlling pressure of fluid supplied to said housing, fluidresponsive control means for controlling said pressure regulator, fluid-operated engaging means for engaging an object, said engaging means being carried by said flexible means, means for supplying fluid to said engaging means, the fluid for said engaging means being under one pressure when an object is engaged and being under another pressure when the object is disengaged, means communicating the pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means to said fluid-responsive control means, said fluidresponsive means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under one pressure to said power chamber when the fluid pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means is at said one pressure, and said fluid-responsive control means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under another pressure to said power chamber when the fluid pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means is at said another pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for handling an object comprising a pneumaticallyoperated hoist having a housing, drum means movable in said housing, elongate flexible means connected to said drum means, a power chamber formed in said housing, piston means effective to move the drum means in the housing when fluid under sufficient pressure is supplied to said chamber, a pressure regulator for controlling pressure of fluid supplied to said housing, fluidresponsive control means for controlling said pressure regulator, fluid-operated engaging means for engaging an object, said engaging means being carried by said flexible means, means for supplying fluid to said engaging means, the fluid for said engaging means being under one pressure when an object is engaged and being under another pressure when the object is disengaged, means communicating the pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means to said fluid-responsive control means, said fluidresponsive means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under one pressure to said power chamber when the fluid pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means is at said one pressure, and said fluid-responsive control means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under another pressure to said power chamber when the fluid pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means is at said another pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said one pressure of said engaging means being less than atmospheric pressure and said another pressure of said engaging means being higher than said one pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said another pressure to said power chamber being sufficient to balance said fluid-operated engaging means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said one pressure to said power chamber being insufficient to balance the weight of said fluid-operated engaging means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said fluid-responsive control means comprising a fluid-responsive valve, said valve having a venting position for venting fluid from said pressure regulator when said fluid-operated engaging means is at said one pressure, and said valve having a blocking position not venting fluid from said pressure regulator when said fluid-operated engaging means is at said another pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said fluid-responsive control means comprising a fluid-responsive valve, said valve having a blocking position to prevent venting of fluid from said pressure regulator when said fluid-operated engaging means is at said one pressure, and said valve having a venting position for venting fluid from said pressure regulator when said fluid-operated engaging means is at said another pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for handling an object comprising a pneumatically-operated hoist having a housing, a drum movable in said housing, a power chamber formed within said housing, piston means effective to move said drum in one direction in the housing when fluid under sufficient pressure is supplied to said chamber, elongate flexible means connected to said drum, fluid-operated engaging means for engaging an object, means for connecting said engaging means and said flexible means, a fluid-controlled pressure regulator for controlling pressure of fluid supplied to said chamber, fluid-operated control means for regulating control fluid for said pressure regulator, means for communicating fluid pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means to said fluid-operated control means, said fluid-operated control means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under one pressure to said chamber when said fluid-operated engaging means is engaged with an object, said fluid-operated control means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under another pressure to said chamber when said fluid-operated engaging means is disengaged from the object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for handling an object comprising a pneumatically-operated hoist having a housing, a drum movable in said housing, a power chamber formed within said housing, piston means effective to move said drum in one direction in the housing when fluid under sufficient pressure is supplied to said chamber, elongate flexible means connected to said drum, fluid-operated engaging means for engaging an object, means for connecting said engaging means and said flexible means, a fluid-controlled pressure regulator for controlling pressure of fluid supplied to said chamber, fluid-operated control means for regulating control fluid for said pressure regulator, means for communicating fluid pressure of said fluid-operated engaging means to said fluid-operated control means, said fluid-operated control means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under one pressure to said chamber when said fluid-operated engaging means is engaged with an object, said fluid-operated control means causing said pressure regulator to supply fluid under another pressure to said chamber when said fluid-operated engaging means is disengaged from the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by said one pressure to said chamber being sufficient to offset the weight of said elongate flexible means and said another pressure to said chamber being sufficient to at least off set the weight of said elongate-flexible means and said fluid-operated engaging means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by said one pressure to said chamber being sufficient to enable the hoist to offset the weight of said elongate flexible means, said fluid-operated engaging device, and an engaged object, and said another pressure to said chamber being sufficient to enable the hoist to offset the weight of said elongate flexible means, and said fluid-operated engaging means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by said fluid-operated control means comprising a fluid-responsive valve having a venting position and a blocking position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 characterized by said fluid-controlled pressure regulator having a bonnet chamber influencing the output of the pressure regulator, said fluid-responsive valve being in communication with said bonnet chamber.
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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |