MXPA96005992A

MXPA96005992A - Brazier that includes internal connection elast

Info

Publication number: MXPA96005992A
Application number: MXPA/A/1996/005992A
Authority: MX
Inventors: R Horn Edward
Original assignee: Aladdin Engineering & Manufacturing Inc
Priority date: 1995-11-30
Filing date: 1996-11-29
Publication date: 1998-04-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanical fastener to be used for hookably engaging a work piece, characterized in that it comprises: a fastening arm supported to move about a pivot, said fastening arm including a work piece engaging portion separated from said pivot a conductive member that is reciprocally movable between a retracted position and a clamping position, a connection connected to said conductive member and connected to said clamping arm in a spaced relation from said pivot so that the movement of said conducting member from said retracted position towards said fastening position causes the movement of said work piece engaging portion of said clamping arm towards the work piece, and said link including a spring portion between the driving member and the clamping arm, the spring portion limiting the force fastener applied by said support arm to the piez a work, where the link includes opposite ends and where the link includes a central portion with a C between the opposite ends and which defines the portion of resor

Description

SUJETQDOR OUE INCLUDES INTERNAL CONNECTION ELñSTICfl CQMPO OF I fl INVENTION The invention relates to hydraulically operated fastening and grip devices and more particularly to hydraulically operated fasteners and grippers of the type used to hold a workpiece in place during a manufacturing operation or in a 10 machining or in a welding operation and particulmly fasteners or grip devices that can be automatically controlled and controlled hyulically.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKIOR TECHNIQUE L5 A pneumatically actuated fastener for use in fastening a work piece is shown in the U.S. Patent. of the sun c? 4ante No. 4,679,782. In such devices, a fastening arm has an end for engaging a work piece and is supported by a machine for pivotal movement on a pivot pin. A pneumatically driven piston is operatively connected to the clamping arm-through a connecting assembly to cause pivotal movement of the clamping arm between a clamping or gripping position and a recessed position. The work pieces that are being hooked by the clamping arm can be of different dimensions due to the variations in the tolerances of the work piece, and it is important that the clamping assembly be able to hook pieces of work or dimensions of slightly different In the operation of a conventional fastener, the clamping arm is moved to a position in which it begins to apply a force to its workpiece and subsequently the clamping arm and conductive connections move on its center towards an articulated position in that the work piece will be held even when the pneumatic piston force is released, the clamping arm moves and the connection after the articulated position, the tensions in the connection and clamping arm can be extreme and can cause deformation of the pivot pins and the frame that supports the support arm and the connection. If the differences in the dimensions of the workpiece to be fastened are substantial due to the tolerances in the workpieces, stresses in the fastener during the articulating position of the clamping arm can cause substantial wear of the fastening components or the bent of said components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention includes a pneumatically actuated fastener and gripper including a gripper arm supported for movement on a pivot, the gripper arm includes a t-piece latch portion spaced apart from the pivot, and a driver member that is reciprocally movable between a retracted position and a holding position. The fastener further includes a connection connected to the conductor member and connected to the clamping arm in a spaced relationship of the pivot so that movement of the conductor member from the retracted position toward the clamping position causes movement of the work piece engaging portion of the arm. fastener towards the work piece, the connection involves a spring portion, the spring portion limits the clamping force applied by the clamping arm to the work piece. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection consists of a generally C-shaped connecting element pivotally connected to one end of the clamping arm and the mind connected to an opposite end of the conductor member, the connecting element being in the form of C sufficiently flexible to operate co or a spring between the driver member and the support arm. One of the features of the fastener according to the invention is that the fastening mechanism includes an internal element, which helps to prevent excessive tension in the fastener components and allows the fastening joints to move to an articulated position even when the work piece that is being fastened may be of excessive size and also allows loosening of the fastener of the articulated condition. Another feature of the invention is the provision of a fastener that provides fastening forces substantially in pairs to the variable work pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION PE LQS PIBUJQS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pneumatic gripper according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the pneumatically actuated gripper device shown in Fig. 1 with the portions cut out. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Figure 4 is a partial view of an alternative modality of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a hydraulically operated clamp 10 according to the invention including a frame 12 supporting a pivotable clamping arm 14 for reciprocating movement between a clamping position and a releasing or retracted position. As best shown in FIG. 2, the fastening arm 14 is supported for pivotal movement by a pivot pin 15 rigidly supported by the frame 12. The fastener 10 further includes a pneumatic piston and a cylindrical assembly 18 which includes a cylinder 20. fixed to one end of the frame 12, and a piston 22 (FIG. 2) movable towards and away from the work piece and between an extended position and a retracted position. In the illustrated arrangement the frame 12 includes a central cavity 24 housing the end of the piston 22. A pair of air pressure supply lines 25 and 28 are operably connected to the opposite ends of the cylinder 20 to drive the pin 22. The fastener 10 further includes a driver member or fork 30 supported by the frame 12 and fixed to the ex emo of the piston 22 for reciprocal movement with the piston between a retracted position and an extended position. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the fork 30 is slidably supported by a pair of rails or sliding surfaces 32 and 34 provided in the central cavity of the frame and extending parallel to the direction of movement of the piston 22. they also provide means for operably connecting the fork 30 to a rear end 35 of the clamping arm 14 and at a spaced relation of the pivot pin 15 that a reciprocating movement of the piston 22 and the fork 30 causes the clamping movement of the arm. fastener-14 between the positions shown in solid lines in Figure 2, wherein the clamping arm 14 engagablely engages the work piece 40 and a retracted position shown in imaginary lines. In the illustrated arrangement, the means for connecting the fork 30 to the rear end of the fastening arm 14 includes a connection assembly 42 having an end 44 pivotally connected to a front end of the fork 30 and an opposite end 45 pivotally connected to the front end of the fork 30. rear end extendable 35 of the support arm 14. As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connection assembly 42 consists of spaced apart joints 48 and 50 pivotally attached to the fork 30 by a pin 52 extending through of the front end of the fork 30. The front end of the fork 30 includes a central cavity or notch 54 adapted to accommodate the ends 44 of the joints 48 and 50. The opposite ends 45 of the spaced-apart joints 48 and 50 are pivotally attached to the trailing end 35 of the clamping arm 14 by a pivot pin 56 extending through the trailing end 30 of the clamping arm 14, and so that the end 46 of the connection 43 is pivotally supported on one end of the pin-56 and one end 46 of the connection 50 is pivotally supported at the opposite end of the pivot pin 55. The pivot pin * 56 is spaced toward behind the pivot pin 16 connecting the clamping arm to the frame so that the rear end 36 functions as a leveling lever to cause the pivotal movement of the clamping arm 14 on the pin of the pivot 16. In the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the opposite sides of the back portion 36 of the support arm are striated so that the back portion 36 has a thickness that is sufficiently less than the thickness of the front portion of the support arm par-a than the combined thickness of the support arm and the joints be approximately equal to the thickness of the front end of the clamping arm. In a preferred form of the invention each of the joints 48 and 50 has a generally C-shaped configuration so that the central portion 62 of the joints 48 and 50 is bent or physically compressible when a load or compression force is applied. applies to the joints 48 and 50 extending in the direction between their opposite ends, and the joints absorbs any distortion in the component parts of the fastener - caused by the clamping of work pieces of different thicknesses and also allowing the sliding member move to a position where the bra- articulates or moves over a center. In a preferred form of the invention, the joints can consist of any steel or other metal that is sufficiently elastic to adapt to compression of the opposite ends of the joints.

Although in the illustrated arrangement the connection assembly consists of a pair of joints 48 and 50, in other arrangements, the connection assembly may consist of a single connecting member having a confi ruration as illustrated in Figures 2-3. Another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4. In that embodiment, the connecting assembly consists of a wire spring 70 curved such as to include a central elastic portion 72 designed to accommodate compression of the opposite ends 74 and 76. of the connection assembly to each other. The opposite ends 74 and 76 of the wire spring 70 are wound around the pivot pins 55 and 52, respectively, to securely connect the wire spring 70 between the fork 30 and the rear end 36 of the gripper arm 14. The illustrated arrangement of the fastener is described as being pneumatically actuated, in other embodiments the fastener can be hydraulically or mechanically driven or driven by a solenoid.

Claims

NOVEP P PE Lfl INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A mechanical fastener for use for hooking securely between a work piece, said mechanical fastener consists of: a support arm supported for movement on a pivot, said fastening arm includes a work piece engaging portion spaced from said pivot; A driving member that is reciprocally movable between a retracted position and a holding position; a connection connected to said conductive member and connected to said fastening arm in spaced relation of said pivot so that the movement of said conductive member-from said position retracted toward said fastening position causes the movement of said engaging portion of said workpiece. said clamping arm - towards the work piece; and said connection includes a spring portion between the rudder member V or the clamp arm, the spring portion limiting the clamping force applied by said clamp arm to the work piece.

2. A mechanical fastener according to claim 1, further characterized in that the connection includes opposite extrusions, one end connected to the clamping arm and another end connected to the conductive member and further characterized in that the spring portion of the The connection is an intermediate portion of the connection, curved over a perpendicular axis to the direction in the opposite ends of the connection.

3. A mechanical fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection includes opposite ends and that the connection includes a central portion in the form of C between the opposite ends and defines the spring portion.

4. A mechanical fastener for use to securely engage a work piece, which consists of: a support arm supported for its reinforcement on a pivot, said fastening arm-includes a portion of a work piece attachment; spaced work of said pivot; a conductor member - which is reciprocally movable between a retracted position and a holding position; and a connection connected to said conductive member and connected to said fastening arm in spaced relation from said pivot so that the movement of said conductive member from said retracted position toward said fastening position causes the movement of said engaging portion of said work piece. Said fastener towards the work piece, said connection includes a compressible elastic spring portion, which limits the clamping force api Lcada by said clamping arm to the work piece, the connection includes opposite extr ems, a connected end the bracket arm and the other end connected to the conductive member and furthermore because the spring portion of the connection is an intermediate portion of the connection, curved about a ee perpendicular to the direction between the opposite ends of the connection.

5. A mechanical fastener according to the indication 4, further characterized in that the connection includes a central portion in the form of C between the opposite extrusions and defining the spring portion.

6. A mechanical fastener to be used to hook a work piece fastenably, said mechanical fastener consists of: a base, a support arm supported by said base for movement on a pivot, said fastening arm includes a portion of part coupling of spaced work of said pivot; a conducting member that is reciprocally movable between a retracted position and a fastening-a position; a spring connected to said conductive member and connected to said fastening arm in spaced relation of said pivot so that the movement of said conductive member from a retracted position towards a fastening position causes the movement of said workpiece engaging portion of said Bra arm towards the work piece. RESOLUTION PE L INVENTION A pneumatically operated gripper and gripper including a suction arm supported for movement on a pivot, the clamping arm includes a work piece engaging portion spaced from the pivot and a driver member - which is reciprocally movable between a retracted position and a clamping position. The fastener also includes a connection connected to the conductor member and connected to the clamping arm in a spaced relation of the pivot so that the movement of the conductor member from the retracted position towards the clamping position causes the movement of the work piece engaging portion. from the clamping arm to the workpiece, the connection includes a spring portion, and the spring portion limits the clamping force applied by the clamp-to the workpiece. JNR / cgt * rnvs * P9B-904