Patent US3804397A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3804397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic positioning vacuum cup
Assignee: GCO
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Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1974-04-16
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Expires: 1991-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatically powered fixture for engaging and holding workpieces while inspection operations are performed on them includes a vacuum cup supported on the end of a cylinder rod. An air passage through the rod connects to the cylinder area behind the piston. When air is evacuated from a pair of passages through the cylinder, disposed on opposite sides of the piston, the cylinder rod moves outwardly since the rear chamber is connected to atmosphere through the open vacuum cup. When the vacuum cup engages a workpiece and locks against it, the area to the rear of the piston is no longer vented to atmosphere and the pressure on both sides of the piston equalize, terminating motion of the rod. Brake means operating on the rear end of the piston rod then lock the rod against motion.
Inventors
- 👤 D Neumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:44
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B11/00; B25B11/005; B25B11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A device for engaging and supporting a workpiece relative to a base, comprising: a workpiece engaging member having a flexible, closed, work engaging lip formed about a concave cup; a fluid passage Formed through the cup adapted to communicate with the volume between the cup and a workpiece when the lip engages the workpiece; an actuator member fixed with respect to said base and connected to said workpiece engaging member so as to move the workpiece engaging member toward the workpiece; fluid pressure means connected to said passage and adapted to evacuate the area interior of said concave cup; and means for terminating motion of said actuator toward the workpiece at such time as the pressure within said cup decreases to a predetermined level indicative of firm engagement between the cup and the workpiece.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A device for engaging and supporting a workpiece relative to a base, comprising: a workpiece engaging member having a flexible, closed, work engaging lip formed about a concave cup; a fluid passage Formed through the cup adapted to communicate with the volume between the cup and a workpiece when the lip engages the workpiece; an actuator member fixed with respect to said base and connected to said workpiece engaging member so as to move the workpiece engaging member toward the workpiece; fluid pressure means connected to said passage and adapted to evacuate the area interior of said concave cup; and means for terminating motion of said actuator toward the workpiece at such time as the pressure within said cup decreases to a predetermined level indicative of firm engagement between the cup and the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for terminating motion of said actuator at such time as the pressure within said cup decreases to a predetermined level includes a fluid passage connecting the interior of said concave cup with said actuator so as to vent said actuator member until such time as said cup is engaging a workpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the actuator member consists of a piston movable within a cylinder, and said device further includes a connection between said fluid pressure means and said cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said actuator consists of a piston movable with respect to a cylinder, said device further including fluid passages between said fluid pressure means and said cylinder, and said means for terminating motion of said actuator at such time as the pressure within said cup decreases to a predetermined level constitutes a passage venting the cylinder, on one side of the piston, through the concave cup, so that the vent is terminated at such time as the concave cup engages a workpiece so that the pressure within said cup decreases to said predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 4 where in said fluid pressure means connects to said cylinder at two points, one disposed on each side of said piston.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for engaging and supporting workpieces with respect to a base, comprising: a cylinder fixed with respect to the base; a piston movable within said cylinder; a rod connected to said piston and passing through a hole in said cylinder; a vacuum cup supported on said rod externally of said cylinder; brake means associated with said piston rod; fluid pressure means operative to cause said piston to move with respect to said cylinder; and means for causing the fluid pressure means to terminate motion of the piston with respect to said cylinder and to energize said brake means at such time as said vacuum cup engages a workpiece.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for engaging and supporting workpieces with respect to a base, comprising: a cylinder fixed with respect to the base; a piston movable within said cylinder; a rod connected to said piston and passing through a hole in said cylinder; a vacuum cup supported on said rod externally of said cylinder; brake means associated with said piston rod; fluid pressure means operative to cause said piston to move with respect to said cylinder; and means for causing the fluid pressure means to terminate motion of the piston with respect to said cylinder and to energize said brake means at such time as said vacuum cup engages a workpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said rod includes sections disposed on opposite sides of the piston, both of which pass through holes in the cylinder, and said brake means is disposed about the end of said rod opposite to the end on which said vacuum cup is supported.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said brake means consists of a flexible cylindrical section surrounding a portion of said rod and means for imposing fluid pressure on said section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 6 wherein a passage is formed through said rod communicating at one end to said vacuum cup and at the other end with said cylinder and said passage acts to vent a portion of the volume of said cylinder to atmospheric pressure until such time as the vacuum cup engages a workpiece.
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) | 1977-04-15 | 1977-10-15 | 1978-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-15 | 1981-10-15 | 1982-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-15 | 1985-10-15 | 1986-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |