US4093083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for stacking and unstacking sheet material, more particularly glass sheets
Assignee: Spiegelglaswerke Germania AG
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Filing: 1977-08-09
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Granted: 1978-06-06
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Expires: 1997-08-09
Abstract
Abstract The specification describes an apparatus for stacking and unstacking sheet material, more particularly glass sheets, comprising one or more suction plates, capable of moving towards a sheet material stack and adapted to be moved by a pressure cylinder actuator, and with a sensing member, which on making contact with the stack, the surface position of which changes as the stacking or unstacking progresses generates a pulse adapted to control movement of the piston rod of the pressure cylinder actuator. As a sensing member a switch (vacuum monitor, pressure monitor) responsive to changes in pressure is provided in the suction duct system of the suction plates and/or in the pressure duct system of the pressure cylinder actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl-Heinz Klaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:16
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/05; B65G49/06; B65G49/068; B65G61/00; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/08; B65H3/0808; B65G2249/00; B65G2249/04; B65G2249/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
In an apparatus for adding to and removing glass sheets from a stack of glass sheets arranged in vertically inclined position, one upon another, the apparatus having a pivotally mounted arm with a free end, means for reciprocating said arm between advanced and retracted positions, a pneumatic cylinder mounted on said arm adjacent said free end and having a telescoping piston rod and a vacuum plate mounted on said rod, means for supplying air under pressure to said cylinder to thereby shift said piston rod and means for evacuating said vacuum plate, means for accommodating variations in spacing between the face of the stack of sheets and the limit of travel of said arm toward the face of said stack, the spacing between said arm and the face of said stack changing from sheet to sheet; said accommodating means including a first pressure sensitive sensor means communicating with said vacuum plate for reading the magnitude of the vacuum established therein when said vacuum plate engages a sheet; a second pressure sensitive sensor means communicating with said pneumatic cylinder for reading the change in pressure when forward movement of the piston encounters resistance of a magnitude in excess of a predetermined value; said first and second sensor means limiting the outward extension travel of said piston rod and preventing said piston rod from exerting excessive pressure against the glass sheets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
In an apparatus for adding to and removing glass sheets from a stack of glass sheets arranged in vertically inclined position, one upon another, the apparatus having a pivotally mounted arm with a free end, means for reciprocating said arm between advanced and retracted positions, a pneumatic cylinder mounted on said arm adjacent said free end and having a telescoping piston rod and a vacuum plate mounted on said rod, means for supplying air under pressure to said cylinder to thereby shift said piston rod and means for evacuating said vacuum plate, means for accommodating variations in spacing between the face of the stack of sheets and the limit of travel of said arm toward the face of said stack, the spacing between said arm and the face of said stack changing from sheet to sheet; said accommodating means including a first pressure sensitive sensor means communicating with said vacuum plate for reading the magnitude of the vacuum established therein when said vacuum plate engages a sheet; a second pressure sensitive sensor means communicating with said pneumatic cylinder for reading the change in pressure when forward movement of the piston encounters resistance of a magnitude in excess of a predetermined value; said first and second sensor means limiting the outward extension travel of said piston rod and preventing said piston rod from exerting excessive pressure against the glass sheets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said cylinder is double acting; a reversing valve is provided in the pneumatic supply line for said cylinder; said first sensor and said reversing valve being interconnected whereby said reversing valve is actuated to reverse the direction of movement of said piston upon said first sensor means detecting a vacuum of a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein means are provided for establishing a predetermined maximum working pressure for the air supplied to the cylinder while the piston is being advanced, a valve controlling the supply of air to said cylinder; said second sensor means being connected to said valve and actuating said valve to close upon said second sensor means sensing a pressure increase in excess of said predetermined maximum whereby extension of said piston rod is stopped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein a conveyor is provided, said conveyor having a pair of spaced conveyor tracks, one on each side of said pivoted arm, said conveyor tracks having their upper surfaces in a common plane; as said pivot arm approaches the limit of its retraction movement away from the stack of sheets, said vacuum plate passing between said conveyor tracks and below said plane of said tracks for receiving from or depositing sheets on said conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein stop switches limit the pivotal movement of said arm to an identical arc of travel at all times irrespective of the spacing of the stack of sheets from said arm; the switch limiting advance movement of said arm initiating the creation of the vacuum in said vacuum plate when it terminates advance of said arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein a contact switch terminates the vacuum in said vacuum plate as said vacuum plate passes between said conveyor tracks during retraction movement and connects said vacuum plate with said air supplying means.
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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) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |