GB1083187A - Vacuum type load handling machanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1,083,187. Suction lifting devices; masted lift trucks. HYSTER CO. Oct. 14, 1964, No. 41906/64. Heading B8H. A bellows B, Fig. 1, of a vacuum lifting device, which may be mounted on a masted lift truck 11, is stabilized against lateral forces by pivoted links 41a, 41b, 41c, Fig. 5, and 43a, 43b, 43c, which extend between upper and lower plates 25, 32 and an intermediate plate 45. The lower plate carries a sealing lip 33 and a central sealing ring 37 which seals the central hole in a roll of paper R, Fig, 1. The pressure in the bellows is maintained below atmospheric and a load may be engaged by lowering the truck carriage 21, Fig. 1, or by allowing the bellows to expand slightly by admitting air. Air is supplied to the head 34 through a conduit 67, 69, 71, Fig. 5, without raising the bellows pressure. The head itself has contact pads 63, Fig. 9, and a mesh screen 61. The head 34<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 13, may be lowered by admitting air to the bellows through a valve 115 by closing a switch 135. When the head has engaged the load it is connected with a suction pump P and the interior of the bellows by closing a switch 137 to move a valve 101 from a seat 103 to a seat 105. This will also cause the bellows to contract and raise the load. The valve 101 is moved back on to the seat 103, thus allowing air to pass through conduit 91, when the load is to be released. Fig. 13A shows a valve 145 which is raised when a member 201 abuts a load to apply suction automatically to the head 34. Fig. 14 shows a lifting device 131 suspended from a monorail 121. The bellows has a sealing strip 133 but no bottom plate. A housing 129 encloses a vacuum pump 137 driven by a motor 139 and supports a lever 143 which controls suction. A control system such as the one shown in Fig. 13 may be provided. In Fig. 16 a valve 155 closes a suction conduit 157 when an end plate 151 rises. Fig. 17 shows a lifting device supported by a winch 173. When the device is lowered on to a load air is forced out of the bellows 179 through a check-valve 181 so that when the bellows are lifted the valve 181 closes and sufficient suction develops to lift the load. A manually operated valve may replace the check-valve.