EP0993413B1 - Clamp for holding sheet-like objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamp (10) for holding sheet-like objects, having a support (12) on which a clamp tongue (20) is fixed. A clamping jaw (32) is stored in a guide slot (30) in the support (12) in such a way that it can move both in and against the direction of closing (S). When the clamping jaw (32) moves from open position (34) in closing direction (S), the clamp end (42) is displaced along the path of movement (46), until it rests against the clamp tongue (20) or an adjacent object. As the clamping jaw (32) continues to move in closing direction (S), the clamp end is driven back from the path of movement (46), and a clamping force for holding the object is formed as a result of the elasticity of the clamping jaw (32).

Description

The present invention relates to a clamp for holding of flat objects according to the preamble of the claim 1.

A generic type designed in the manner of pliers Klemme is in CH Patent No. 569 197 and in corresponding U.S. Patent No. 3,948,551. It has a clamping tongue fixedly arranged on a holding part on. One jaw is perpendicular to one Axle extending from an open position in a clamped position in which it can be pivoted with the Clamping tongue forms a clamping gap. The tongue and the The jaws are relative to each other in the extension of the Clamping gap away from each other in the open position and movable against each other in their clamping position. This does it is necessary that the clamp when opening and closing 90 ° out of or into that defined by the object Surface is rotated. It is therefore the simultaneous turning the whole clamp and moving the jaw relatively necessary for the clamping tongue, which in addition to the space required for Capturing and releasing an object is a complex process Control requires. On the other hand, this known Unlock special advantages. It is self-locking and self-supporting, it bears the thickness of the flat Objects practically not and finds accordingly both in scale formations of objects as well as in the buffering or stacking of objects - with practical constant space requirement - space. Furthermore it is so light in weight that if this is necessary - carried by the object itself and can be held.

It is an object of the present invention Generic clamp to create that while maintaining the advantages of the known clamp in the handling easier is.

This task is solved with a generic clamp, which has the features in the characterizing part of claim 1.

A turning of the clamp according to the invention when opening and Closing is no longer necessary. It's just in the Construction, cheap to manufacture and extremely simple in handling. In addition, the jaw is self-locking held in the clamped position; Locking elements are not necessary. The slim design of the clamp enables a buffering of those held by the clamp Objects in the smallest space, while maintaining the individualization the objects; i.e. any object is individually composed and can therefore be handled individually. Further the clamp can be opened if in a buffer Adjacent terminals are against each other.

Preferred embodiments of the clamp according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in Ansicht eine erfindungsgemässe Klemme in Offenstellung;

Fig. 2

in Seitenansicht die in der Fig. 1 gezeigte Klemme in Schliessstellung;

Fig. 3

in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie III-III der Fig. 1 die dort gezeigte Klemme in Offenstellung;

Fig. 4

in Seitenansicht einen Teil einer Vorrichtung mit einer Vielzahl hintereinander angeordneter Klemmen gemäss den Fig. 1 bis 3, wobei jeder der Klemme ein Druckereiprodukt zugeführt wird;

Fig. 5

in gleicher Darstellung wie in Fig. 4 den dort gezeigten Teil der Vorrichtung mit einer Klemme während des Schliessvorgangs;

Fig. 6

in gleicher Darstellung wie in Fig. 5 die dort gezeigte Klemme in Klemmstellung zum Halten des Druckereiprodukts;

Fig. 7

einen weiteren Teil der in den Fig. 4 bis 6 gezeigten Vorrichtung mit einer ein Druckereiprodukt haltenden Klemme zu Beginn des Öffnungsvorgangs;

Fig. 8

den in Fig. 7 gezeigten Teil der Vorrichtung mit einer teilweise geöffneten Klemme;

Fig. 9

in gleicher Darstellung wie in Fig. 7 und 8 die dort gezeigte Klemme in Offenstellung;

Fig. 10

einen weiteren Teil der in den Fig. 4 bis 9 gezeigten Vorrichtung, mit einer Vielzahl hintereinander angeordneter Klemmen, die je ein Druckereiprodukt halten und zur Pufferung aneinander anliegen;

Fig. 11

in Ansicht und teilweise geschnitten entlang der Linie XI-XI der Fig. 12 eine Antriebsvorrichtung für die Klemmen; und

Fig. 12

in Draufsicht die in der Fig. 11 gezeigte Antriebsvorrichtung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

in view a clamp according to the invention in the open position;

Fig. 2

in side view the clamp shown in Figure 1 in the closed position.

Fig. 3

in a section along the line III-III of Figure 1, the clamp shown there in the open position.

Fig. 4

in side view a part of a device with a plurality of successively arranged clamps according to Figures 1 to 3, wherein each of the clamp is supplied with a printed product;

Fig. 5

in the same representation as in FIG. 4 the part of the device shown there with a clamp during the closing process;

Fig. 6

in the same representation as in Figure 5, the clamp shown there in the clamping position for holding the printed product;

Fig. 7

a further part of the device shown in Figures 4 to 6 with a clamp holding a printed product at the beginning of the opening process.

Fig. 8

the part of the device shown in Figure 7 with a partially open clamp.

Fig. 9

in the same representation as in Figures 7 and 8, the terminal shown there in the open position;

Fig. 10

a further part of the device shown in Figures 4 to 9, with a plurality of terminals arranged one behind the other, each holding a printed product and abut each other for buffering.

Fig. 11

in view and partially sectioned along the line XI-XI of Figure 12, a drive device for the terminals. and

Fig. 12

in plan view the drive device shown in FIG. 11.

The terminal 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a essential cuboid supporting part 12. Longitudinal of the support member 12 are seen at its two ends Shaped guide lugs 14, which are intended in Cross-section of C-shaped, open guide rails 16 intervene. The terminal 10 is thereby sliding in the guide rails 16 slidable.

On a side surface 18 of the support part 12 is a flat, essentially rectangular clamping tongue 20, the by means of suitable fastening means 22, for example Screws or rivets, is attached to the support member 12. The Side surface 18 is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the guide rails 16 extending plane, so that the clamping tongue 20 transversely to the guide rails 16 cantilevered over this and the support member 12. How this in particular FIGS. 2 and 3 show the clamping tongue 20 by one to the longitudinal direction of the supporting part 12 parallel bending line 24 bent so that free end 20 'of the clamping tongue 20 approximately in one plane lies by the opposite of the side surface 18 Area of the support part 12 which is rectangular in cross section is defined. Next has the clamping tongue 20 in her about the support part 12 projecting part to save weight a triangular passage 26. Adjacent to its free end 20 'is the clamping tongue 20 on the seen the bend with radially inner side provided two adhesive covering strips 28.

The support member 12 has a guide gap 30 which of a flat, essentially rectangular, curved Clamping jaw 32 is penetrated. This is from one in 1 and 3 open position 34 shown by moving in the closing direction S into one shown in FIG. 2 Clamping position 36 movable.

The jaw 32 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support member 12 extending axis in the manner of a circular cylinder segment bent and guided in this way on the supporting part 12, that the clamping tongue 20 on the radially inner Side of the jaw 32 is located. The leadership gap 30 corresponds to the curvature of the jaw 32 shaped.

From its free end 32 'facing the clamping tongue 20 forth, is the jaw 32 with an approximately triangular Incision 38 provided, whereby two clamping legs 40 of Clamping jaw 32 are formed, which on their at the free End 32 ′ adjoining end region to form a clamping foot 42 are cranked against the bend of the jaw 32. In Clamping position 36 form the clamping feet 42 with the clamping tongue 20 a clamping gap 44.

In the open position 34, the jaw 32 is in a position in which the clamping feet 42 at Support part 12 are. When moving the jaw 32 out the open position 34 move in the closing direction S. the clamping feet 42 along a circular trajectory 46, the clamping tongue 20 at an acute angle α cuts. The movement path 46 is a circular path whose Center lies in the axis of the bend of the jaw 32 and their radius the distance from the axis to the jaw 32 corresponds. The angle α is in the embodiment shown about 30 °. But it can also be smaller or to be taller; however, it is preferably less than 45 °.

When closing clamp 10 move in closing direction S. the clamping feet 42 along their path 46, until it is on the adhesive covering strip 28 or one on the Clamping tongue 20 adjacent, flat object to the plant is coming. When moving further in the direction of arrow S they slide Clamping feet 42 along the outside of the flat product or the adhesive covering strip 28 in Direction to the free end 20 'of the clamping tongue 20, whereby the clamping feet 42 from the trajectory 46 that they would otherwise follow further. Since the Clamping jaw 32 made of self-resilient material, for example made of spring steel sheet and in the guide gap 30 is inevitably led to this, are thereby the clamping feet 42 elastically pushed back, thereby creating a Clamping force K is generated on the flat object the clamping tongue 20 and in particular the adhesive covering strips 28 presses. Due to the acute angle α, none or only a small force component against the closing direction S act on the jaw 32. This force component is easily due to the frictional force in the guide gap 30 added so that the terminal 10 in the clamping position 36 is self-holding.

At the end 48 opposite the clamping feet 42 the jaw 32 provided with lateral projections 50 and bent like a tube. The projections 50 are designed to cooperate with an opening element to the Jaw 32 from the clamping position 36 against the To move the closing direction S into the open position 34.

The support part 12 consists of a support body 52 with a Recess 54, in which a wedge body 56 is inserted, the reaches behind the clamping tongue 20 with a retaining lug 58 and is held in the recess 54 in this way. The supporting body 52 and the wedge body 56 delimit the guide gap 30.

4 to 6 show part of an apparatus 60 for processing printed products 62 such as newspapers, magazines and the like. Shown is a takeover section 64 in which printed products 62 fed from a belt conveyor 66 are taken over by means of clamps 10 for further transport. In the take-over section 64, the guide rails 16 run in the vertical direction and the clamps 10 which are arranged one behind the other and abut one another are continuously moved forward in a conveying direction F from below towards above. Seen in the direction of conveyance F, the clamping tongues 20 of the clamps 10 are trailing with respect to the clamping jaws 32. The free end 20 'of the clamping tongues 20 faces the belt conveyor 66, which is intended to transport the printed products 62 in the feed direction Z in a scale formation, in which each printed product 62 rests on the trailing one. A closing device 68 for the clamps 10 is arranged on the side opposite the belt conveyor 66 with respect to the guide rails 16. It has an endless traction element 70 which is driven in the direction of arrow A at a speed v and which is greater than the speed v _f at which the clamps 10 are moved. Cams 72, which are intended to interact with the end 48 of a clamping jaw 32, are arranged one behind the other on the traction element 70.

The feed speed of the belt conveyor 66 and the speed v _f at which the clamps 10 are moved are coordinated with one another such that a printed product 62 is fed to each clamp 10. As can be seen from FIG. 4, a clamping tongue 20 engages under the printed product 62 projecting over the end of the belt conveyor 66 and lifts it in the conveying direction F. At approximately the same time as the relevant clamping tongue 20 touches the printed product 62, a cam 72 of the closing device 68 strikes the end 48 of the relevant clamping jaw 32 and moves it from the open position 34 in the closing direction S; this is due to the difference between the speed v of the cams 72 and the speed v _{f of} the terminals 10.

5 is that point in time during the closing process of the clamp 10, in which the clamping foot 32 comes into contact with the printed product 62. Here but due to its inherent stability, the printed product 62 is not yet flat against the clamping tongue 20, this can in the feed direction Z even further into the terminal mouth be inserted until it starts from the clamping foot 42 the adhesive covering strip 28 is brought into contact. From at this moment the jaw 32 moves in Closing direction S of the lengthening clamping leg 40 tensioned in the manner of a spiral spring, whereby Building clamping force with which the printed product 62nd is held for further transport by the clamp 10, such as this is shown in FIG. 6. It goes without saying itself that the adhesive effect of the adhesive covering strips 28 on the printed product 62 is greater than the sliding friction between the clamping feet 42 and the printed product 62. If necessary, the clamping foot 42 can be provided with a sliding coating be provided. As can be seen in FIG. 6 is, the terminals 10 are each at the end the locking device 68 in the closed position 36.

7 to 9 show a further part, a delivery section 74, already in connection with FIG. 4 to 6 addressed device 60. In the dispensing section shown 74, the guide rails 16 run horizontally Direction and the terminals 10 are used to transport the Printed products 62 hanging towards the bottom directed. The clamps 10 are moved in the conveying direction F. When entering the delivery section 74 are the jaws 32 in the clamping position 36 and hold in the them and the relevant clamping tongue 20 formed clamping gap 44 one printed product each 62. On the two guide rails 16 is a wedge-shaped opening backdrop 76 arranged. In the course of the movement in the direction of conveyance F come the two projections 50 of the jaw in question 32 on the opening backdrop 76 to the system and in the course of the further movement of the terminal 10 against the Closing direction S pulled in the opening direction. Fig. 7 shows the time at which the protrusions 50 one Terminal 10 touch the opening gate 76. In the course of Further movement, the jaw 32 is pulled upwards whereby the clamping force K is reduced. Fig. 8 shows the time at which the clamping foot 42 the Printer product 62 releases, so that this is down is handed over to the next processing station. Then the jaw 32 is completely in Open position 34 moves, as shown in FIG. 9. the clamp 10 is for re-accepting a printed product 62 ready. The friction conditions in the guide gap 30 are sufficient to close the jaw 32 in the open position 34 hold.

10 shows a buffer section 78 of the device 60. This is for example between the in the 4 to 6 takeover section 64 and the in 7 to 9 discharge section 74. In the buffer section 78, the guide rails 16 also run in the horizontal direction and each with a printed product 62 equipped terminals 10 abut each other. This figure shows in particular that the terminals 10 in Seen longitudinal direction of the guide rails 16, very much are slim, so that they are in relation to the Thickness of the printed products 62 that they would not last Instruct. This creates a high packing density in the buffer section reachable.

11 and 12 is a view and a top view Drive section 80 of device 60 shown. In the drive section 80 is the bottom 82 of the C-shaped in cross section Guide rails 16 removed. The others Sections connected by the bottom 82 lateral legs 84 extend continuously also through the drive section 80 to the terminals 10 too to lead. The support parts 12 of the terminals 10 engage with their Guide lugs 14 in the guide rails 16 and their End faces 86 are intended in the drive section 80 interact with driver bodies 88 of a drive device 90; each guide rail 16 is a drive device 90 assigned. The following is a of the symmetrically constructed and arranged drive devices 90 described. A variety of takeaways 88 are arranged on a self-contained chain 92, around two parallel axes, in the direction of the guide rails 16 spaced sprockets 94 is led. One of these sprockets 94 is by means of a Drive unit, not shown, rotating in the direction of conveyance F. driven. The conveyor strand 96 of chain 92 runs parallel to the relevant guide rail 16 and is arranged in such a way that the corresponding Driving body 88 between the legs 84 in engage the guide rail 16 and frictionally on the Face 86 of the support parts 12 of the clamps 10 abut. A pressure and arranged between the sprockets 94 Guide rail 98 ensures that the pressing force is maintained.

As can also be seen from FIG. 12, the Clamps 10 outside the drive device 90 in the Guide rails 16 are freely movable so that they face each other can take a different distance.

A drive section 80 can be, for example, with a take-over section 64 or a discharge section 74 overlap to the terminals 10 in. in these sections To move the conveying direction F.

It is also conceivable for the clamping jaws to be flat are and the clamping shoes 42 along a straight line of motion moves when closing and opening the clamp become. In this case too, the trajectory closes an acute angle with the clamping tongue.

Of course, the terminals 10 and the device 60 can be designed differently.

Clamps according to the invention are suitable, for example, for Use in devices such as those in the WO patent applications PCT / CH97 / 00200 and PCT / CH97 / 00201 are disclosed.

As an example of flexible, flat objects are in Connection with the illustrated embodiment of printed products Called 62. The terminals 10 according to the invention are also suitable for holding stiff, flat surfaces Objects or different flexible flat Objects.

The objects can have different thicknesses. In the embodiment shown, the Thickness K also increases.

The clamping tongue can be designed to be self-elastic and to do so be made of spring steel sheet, for example. Ultimately, it would also be conceivable to use the clamping tongue elastic and the jaw rigid.

Claims (8)

1. Clamp for holding flat objects, having a clamping tongue (20) permanently arranged on a supporting part (12) and a clamping jaw (32) which is arranged so as to move on the supporting part (12) and which can be moved from an open position (34) into a clamping position (36), in which the clamping jaw (32) forms, with the clamping tongue (20), a clamping gap (44) for the object (62), characterized in that, at its free end (32'), the clamping jaw (32) has a clamping foot (42) which, in the clamping position (36), interacts with the clamping tongue (20) and, if the clamping jaw (32) is moved from the open position (34) into the clamping position (36), can move along a movement path (46) forming an acute angle (α) with the clamping tongue (20) and, during the onward movement after encountering the object (62) resting on the clamping tongue (20), is designed such that it can be forced back resiliently by said object (62) out of the movement path (46) in the direction transverse to the clamping tongue (20), in order to produce the clamping force (K).
2. Clamp according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clamping jaw (32) and, if appropriate, the clamping tongue (20) are designed to be inherently resilient.
3. Clamp according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping tongue (20) has a surface (28), preferably an adhesive covering, which develops an adhesive action on the object (62).
4. Clamp according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the acute angle (α) is less than 45°, preferably less than or approximately equal to 30°.
5. Clamp according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping jaw (32) is mounted on the supporting part (12) such that it can move laterally, preferably approximately in the longitudinal direction of the clamping tongue (20).
6. Clamp according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping jaw (32) has, at least approximately, the shape of a segment of a circular cylinder cover, and the clamping tongue (20) is arranged to be located radially on the inside with respect to the clamping jaw (32).
7. Clamp according to Claim 6, characterized in that the supporting part (12) has a guide gap (30) for the clamping jaw (32), the curvature of the said gap at least approximately corresponding to the curvature of the clamping jaw (32).
8. Clamp according to Claim 7, characterized in that, in its end region (32'), the clamping jaw (32) is bent in the direction opposite to the curvature, in order to form the clamping foot (42).

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