US5215507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planet gear device for grasping articles having axial symmetry
Assignee: Vodafone GmbH
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Filing: 1992-03-09
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Granted: 1993-06-01
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Expires: 2012-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for the grasping, moving and/or turning of articles having axial symmetry, preferably round and/or tubular articles, consisting of a drive unit and a plurality of gripper elements connected with it which are each arranged on a pivotally movable part the parts being movable together with the gripper elements either annularly in the same direction and simultaneously concentrically towards the center or in likewise manner towards the outside. In order to provide a device for the dependable grasping and moving of articles having axial symmetry, preferably round and/or tubular articles, which, upon central grasping, makes possible also the turning of the article grasped, the gripper element (18, 19, 20, 41) is fastened in the outer edge region of a planet wheel (11, 12, 13) of a planet gearing mechanism which has at least two planet wheels and one sun wheel (10) and that the planet wheels (11, 12, 13) and the sun wheel (10) and frame are arranged on a shaft (16) which is connected to the drive unit (6).
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Bonig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:34
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/54; B66C1/56; B66C1/445; B66C1/447; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/17; Y10T279/17213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A planet gear device for grasping and turning articles having axial symmetry, the device comprising a rotatable frame having two frame portions mounted on a shaft, a drive motor connected to the shaft, the direction of rotation of the drive motor being reversible, a planet gearing mechanism mounted between the frame portions, the planet gearing mechanism comprising a sun wheel connected to the shaft, and at least three planet wheels, each planet wheel having an outer edge and being mounted for rotation with respect to the sun wheel, a holding bolt attached to each planet wheel at the outer edge thereof, an essentially disk-shaped gripper element rotatably mounted on each holding bolt, so that a rotation of the sun wheel moves the gripper elements concentrically and simultaneously in the same direction, wherein one of the frame portions faces the gripper elements, the frame portion facing the gripper elements having a central part and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, the arms having a radially outer region, the plane wheels being mounted in the outer regions of the arms, wherein the drive motor and the planet gearing mechanism are mounted on a holding frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A planet gear device for grasping and turning articles having axial symmetry, the device comprising a rotatable frame having two frame portions mounted on a shaft, a drive motor connected to the shaft, the direction of rotation of the drive motor being reversible, a planet gearing mechanism mounted between the frame portions, the planet gearing mechanism comprising a sun wheel connected to the shaft, and at least three planet wheels, each planet wheel having an outer edge and being mounted for rotation with respect to the sun wheel, a holding bolt attached to each planet wheel at the outer edge thereof, an essentially disk-shaped gripper element rotatably mounted on each holding bolt, so that a rotation of the sun wheel moves the gripper elements concentrically and simultaneously in the same direction, wherein one of the frame portions faces the gripper elements, the frame portion facing the gripper elements having a central part and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, the arms having a radially outer region, the plane wheels being mounted in the outer regions of the arms, wherein the drive motor and the planet gearing mechanism are mounted on a holding frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said arms are bent and have such shape that a range of pivotal rotation of said gripper elements on said planet wheels is at most 180°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of intermediate wheels rotatably mounted to said frame between said sun wheel and each of said planet wheels, for reversing a relative direction of rotation of said planet wheels with respect to said sun wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
The device according to claim 3, wherein the sun wheel and the planet wheels each have an axis, a distance being defined between the axis of the sun wheel and the axis of each planet wheel, and wherein a frictional moment of the device supporting a clamping action of the gripping elements relative to an article to be grasped and turned coincides with a closing movement of the gripping elements when an outer diameter of the article to be grasped and turned is one of equal to and smaller than the distance between the axis of the sun wheel and the axis of each planet wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible coupling arranged between said drive motor and said sun wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has a clamping direction, further comprising a return spring capable of being tensioned in said clamping direction, the return spring having an end, said end being linked to one of said planet wheels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom plate, the holding frame being mounted horizontally displaceable on said bottom plate, a flange mounted to said holding frame, said drive motor being mounted at said flange to said holding frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the sun wheel and the planet wheels each have an axis, a distance being defined between the axis of the sun wheel and the axis of each planet wheel, and wherein a frictional moment of the device supporting a clamping action of the gripping elements relative to an article to be grasped and turned coincides with a closing movement of the gripping elements when an outer diameter of the article to be grasped and turned is one of equal to and greater than twice the distance between the axis of the sun wheel and the axis of each planet wheel.
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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) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |