Abstract A vacuum lifter in the form of a pair of saucer-shaped clamps securing between them a segmented, resilient, thin metal sealing ring surrounding a vacuum chamber defined in the underside of the lifter. The clamping surfaces of the lifter are angularly disposed in such a way that the sealing ring engages the surface of a part to be lifted at a shallow angle. Suction is applied to the underside of the lifter creating a vacuum which draws the sealing ring segments together into substantially airtight formation around the lifter vacuum chamber sealing the underside of the lifter from atmosphere and causing the lifter to adhere to the surface engaged thereby while the part is lifted and conveyed from one location to another.
An improved vacuum lifter comprising: a. an exterior clamp overlying an interior clamp, b. means defining a vacuum chamber on the underside of said interior clamp within a flat annular lip adapted to engage the surface of an object to be lifted, c. a pair of segmented sealing rings clamped between said exterior and interior clamps, each of said rings being fabricated entirely of thin, high temperature resistent resilient material and radially slotted to define a ring of leaves, said rings being positioned relative to each other with the slots of one ring positioned over the approximate centers of the leaves of the other, said leaves extending beyond and surrounding said vacuum chamber to form a seal, d. and means for applying suction to said vacuum chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An improved vacuum lifter comprising: a. an exterior clamp overlying an interior clamp, b. means defining a vacuum chamber on the underside of said interior clamp within a flat annular lip adapted to engage the surface of an object to be lifted, c. a pair of segmented sealing rings clamped between said exterior and interior clamps, each of said rings being fabricated entirely of thin, high temperature resistent resilient material and radially slotted to define a ring of leaves, said rings being positioned relative to each other with the slots of one ring positioned over the approximate centers of the leaves of the other, said leaves extending beyond and surrounding said vacuum chamber to form a seal, d. and means for applying suction to said vacuum chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved vacuum lifter according to claim 1 wherein said rings are fabricated to stainless steel.