Patent US3865359A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3865359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vacuum apparatus
Assignee: ELEPHANT MARCEL
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Filing: 1973-09-05
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum apparatus for holding a workpiece in a selected position has a base with a surface against which the workpiece is to be supported, and a surface sheet thereon of resiliently deformable material including an array of openings. Each opening being defined by a resilient wall and being connectible through passage means to a source of sub-atmospheric pressure. A calibrated insert is disposed in each opening to interconnect it and the passage means and being operable at all times to limit flow therethrough to a controlled volume, said calibrated insert having an effective diameter in the range from about 0.001 to 0.010 inch. The controlled volume passed by each calibrated insert having an accumulated total volume not exceeding the volumetric capacity of said source.
Inventors
- 👤 Italo Caroli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:21
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B11/00; B25B11/005; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/02; B66C1/0212; B66C1/0237; B66C1/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A planar vacuum apparatus for holding a workpiece thereon in a selected position comprising a base surface; a sheet of resiliently deformable material detachably secured to the base surface having a surface adapted to support said workpiece and being provided with an array of openings therein; the openings in the sheet each being defined by a bellow-like wall which, collectively, space said deformable sheet above the base surface, said bellow-like walls defining with said openings a plurality of bounded zones; each bounded zone being connected to a source of sub-atmosphere pressure; and a plurality of flow constricting means in the base surface and associated with each opening and bounded zone to limit flow therethrough to a controlled volume; the volume passed by each opening having an accumulated total volume not exceeding the volumetric capacity of the source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A planar vacuum apparatus for holding a workpiece thereon in a selected position comprising a base surface; a sheet of resiliently deformable material detachably secured to the base surface having a surface adapted to support said workpiece and being provided with an array of openings therein; the openings in the sheet each being defined by a bellow-like wall which, collectively, space said deformable sheet above the base surface, said bellow-like walls defining with said openings a plurality of bounded zones; each bounded zone being connected to a source of sub-atmosphere pressure; and a plurality of flow constricting means in the base surface and associated with each opening and bounded zone to limit flow therethrough to a controlled volume; the volume passed by each opening having an accumulated total volume not exceeding the volumetric capacity of the source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow constricting means in the base surface comprises a plug member for seated engagement in the base member, said plug having a central axis and a flow passage extending coaxially therethrough, and an apertured insert in said plug providing communication between the flow passage and the bounded zone, said insert being positioned normal to the flow passage and substantially parallel to the surface of the deformable sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plug member includes a projecting element on its upper end adapted to frictionally engage the surface of a workpiece which covers a bounded zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the insert has a calibrated opening in the range from about 0.001 to 0.010 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the calibrated opening includes a tapered section upstream of the flow and whose cross-section increases in size in the direction of flow of said controlled volume, and a downstream straight section whose cross-section is constant and equal to the minimum cross-section of the tapered section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
ApParatus according to claim 2, wherein the bellow-like wall defining each bounded zone is higher than the plug member whereby the surface of the deformable sheet lies above the upper surface of the plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
A workpiece supporting, resiliently deformable sheet for mounting on the base surface of a planar vacuum apparatus of the type having a plurality of flow-constricting plugs secured in and projecting above the base surface, said sheet having a planar upper surface and a plurality of openings therein to correspond to the number and placement of plugs on the vacuum apparatus; and a flexible bellows-like wall on the back surface of the sheet concentric with each opening in the sheet and extending outwardly thereof to surround said plugs when the sheet is mounted on a vacuum apparatus, the height of the bellows-like walls being greater than that of the plugs when the said walls are in an uncompressed state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A workpiece supporting, resiliently deformable sheet for mounting on the base surface of a planar vacuum apparatus of the type having a plurality of flow-constricting plugs secured in and projecting above the base surface, said sheet having a planar upper surface and a plurality of openings therein to correspond to the number and placement of plugs on the vacuum apparatus; and a flexible bellows-like wall on the back surface of the sheet concentric with each opening in the sheet and extending outwardly thereof to surround said plugs when the sheet is mounted on a vacuum apparatus, the height of the bellows-like walls being greater than that of the plugs when the said walls are in an uncompressed state.
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) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |