Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Operating Mechanism for a Clam~pin~ Cartridcte for Panel-T~r~e Products
Back r~ ound
In co-pending U.S. application No. 60/432,023 filed December 10, 2002 (which
corresponds to Canadian Application No. 2,413,688 filed December 9, 2002), a
copy
of which is attached hereto as Appendix A and incorporated herein by
reference,
there is described and illustrated a clamping cartridge for panel type
products.
Summary< of the Invention
A new operating mechanism for the clamping cartridcae has been developed in
which
the serial, individual cam action of the prior clamping cartridge is
substituted with
a single lift plate, which can be activated by a single, larger cam.
The clamping cartridge still comprises a plurality of clamping mechanisms
spaced
apart on a frame or chassis. The clamping mechanisms are generally oriented
perpendicular to their direction of spacing. The clamping mechanisms are of
the
type which comprise a pair of relatively rnovable jaws which are normally
biased
together.
In the new embodiment, the jaws are elastic and normally closed. The jaws are
openable by a slotted plate that can slide perpendicularly to the direction of
clamping. Each slot moves along and brings together two arms belonging to two
different, adjacent jaws, against the elasticity of the material, opening the
active
clamping space, which is normally closed when empty.
The slotted plate is part of a platform that is moveable relative to the frame
and
which is confined to a translational movement along end guides and along the
direction of the panels to be clamped.
The moving platform with the slotted section is positively activated in both
directions
by a caroming mechanism which is operable to ultimately urge together
respective
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pairs of arms of each clamping mechanism so as to cause the plurality of
clamping
mechanisms to open in unison and to permit the respective pairs of arms of
each
clamping mechanism to separate so as to cause the jaws of the plurality of
clamping
mechanisms to close or clamp against one or more objects which may have been
placed therebetween.
In the preferred embodiment, the ramming mechanism comprises a shaft supported
by the frame in the direction of spacing of the clamping mechanisms and having
thereon at least one cam wheel which is fixed to rotate with the shaft.
Depending
on the length of the cartridge, two or more cam wheels could be employed to
ensure
uniform lifting/lowering of the platform.
Preferably, there are a pair of cam surfaces, one at each end of the
cartridge, and
disposed inside a U-shaped element/channef of the moving platform. The cams
are
mounted on a shaft that can be rotated by a wrench, lever or similar handle
means.
The rotation of handle causes the slotted surface of the platform to move up
or
down the length of the clamps' jaws.
The cam surface varies in the radial direction with the revolution of the
wheel.
One embodiment of the clamping mechanisms of the invention comprise a flexible
tulip-like spring clamp, covered at the ends with a protective material
(typically
rubber dipped).
The clamps are spaced out for a convenient density and mounted on a support
frame. The distance between the two gripping ends of each pair of arms is at
maximum (opening) when the slotted plate (moving platform) is the closest to
the
panels t~ be clamped.
The products) can then be introduced. The product is not designed to be seated
onto the clamping system, but on a separate structure, that will only support
the
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panels vertically, without any horizontal grip.
The clamp cartridges) are usually mounted under the floor level of a larger
pack,
or rack, or similar storage system. Only the gripping arms are extended upward
and
above the floor level.
Once product is inserted between the gripping ends of the opened arms, the
shaft
is rotated 180 degrees and the slotted actuators. retreat to their farthermost
position, thus relaxing the springiness of the clamp.
The gripping ends of the arms naturally move to grip the product, whatever its
width. If product is not present, the gripping ands of the arms will move to a
light
touch (relaxed position).
The operating principles that are unique to this invention are described by a
positive,
single cam action of a slotted plate, along U-like or tulip-shaped arms,
normally
closed, spring based clamping action, self-adjusting grip strength,
proportional to
the product thickness and simultaneous action on all cartridge clamps,
regardless
of product presence.
The main features and advantages are: versatility in typo-dimensional product
sequencing and access patterns, simplicity of operation and ease of
maintenance.
dlVhile minimum panel spacing depends on cam-to-cam or spring-to-spring open
position geometry which is a function of maximum thickness and flatness of the
panels, the overall applicability is only limited by scale factors, as they
relate to
industrial means of transport and logistics.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the
following description and drawings.
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Descri~,tion of the Drawinos
Fig. IA is a perspective view of the clamping cartridge with the new operating
mechanism in its closed/clamping position according to the preferred
embodiment
of the invention. Details are shown in Figs. 1B, 1C and ~.D which illustrate
respectively an elevations( view, a plan view and an end elevational view of
the
clamping cartridge of Fig. 1A in its closed position.
Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the support frame or chassis of the clamping
cartridge of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 2B is an elevational view of the support frame;
Fig. 2C is a plan view of the support frame;
Fig. 2D is a left end view of the support frame;
Fig. 2E is a right end view of the support frame;
Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the cam housing of the clamping cartridge of
Fig. 1A;
Fig. 3B is an eievational view of the cam housing of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 3C is a plan view of the cam housing of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 3D is an end view of the cam housing of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the cam shaft of the clamping cartridge of
Fig. 1A;
Fig. 4B is an elevational view of the cam shaft of Fig. 4A;
Fig. 4C is an end view of the cam shaft of Fig. 4A;
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Fig. 5A is a perspective view of one cam of the clamping cartridge of Fig, 1A;
Fig. 5B is an elevational view of the cam of Fig. 5A;
Fig. 5C is an side view of the cam of Fig. 5A;
Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the movable channel of the clamping cartridge
of
Fig.lA;
Fig. 6B is an elevational view of the movable channel of Fig. 6A;
Fig. 6C is an end view of the movable channel of Fig. 6A;
Fig. 7A is a perspective view of one of the slats for the movable channel of
the
clamping cartridge of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 7B is an elevational view of the slat of Fig. 7A;
Fig. 7C is an end view of the slat of Fig. 7A;
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of one of the clamping mechanisms of the
clamping
cartridge of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 8B is an elevational view of the clamp of Fig. 8A;
Fig. 8C is an end view of the clamp of Fig. 8A;
Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a retainer for the clamp of the clamping
cartridge of
Fig . 1A;
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Fig. 9B is a plan view of the retainer of Fig. 9A;
Fig. 9C is an elevational view of the retainer of Fig. 9A;
Fig. 9D is an end view of the retainer of Fig. 9A;
Fig. 10A is a perspective view of the handle or crank for the cam shaft of the
clamping cartridge of Fig. 1A;
Fig. lOB is an elevational view of the handle of Fig. 10A;
Fig. 10C is an end view of the handie of Fig. 10A;
Figs. 11A-11D illustrate the clamping cartridge with the new operating
mechanism
as shown in Fig. lA-1D in its closed position.
Fig. 12A is a perspective view of the clamping cartridge with the new
operating
mechanism being initially activated to commence opening of the clamping
mechanisms. Details are shown in Figs. 12B, 12C and 12D which illustrate
respectively an elevational view, a plan view and ain end elevational view of
the
clamping cartridge of Fig. 12A in the beginning stages of opening.
Fig. 13A is a perspective view of the clamping cartridge with the new
operating
mechanism continuing to be actuated during opening of the clamping mechanisms.
Details are shown in Figs. 138, 13C and 13D which illustrate respectively an
elevational view, a plan view and an end elevational view of the clamping
cartridge
of Fig. 13A in an intermediate stage of opening.
Fig. 14A is a perspective view of the clamping cartridge with the new
operating
mechanism actuated to a fully-opened position. Detains are shown in Figs. 148,
14C
and 14D which illustrate respectively an elevational view, a plan view and an
end
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elevational view of the clamping cartridge of Fig. 14A in an intermediate
stage of
opening.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a transportation/storage rack illustrating
the use of
the clamping cartridge with panels of varying sizes and thicknesses;
Fig. 16 is a close-up of one of the rack's side clamping cartridges with its
clamps in
their fully-opened position and having panels of varying thicknesses inserted
in
several of the clamps;
Fig. 17 is a close-up of the clamping cartridge of Fig. 16 wherein the handle
is being
rotated so as to actuate the caroming mechanism tc~ start closing the clamps;
Fig. 18 is a close-up of the clamping cartridge of Fig. 16 wherein the handle
is being
rotated so as to close the clamping mechanisms even more than in Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is a close-up of the clamping cartridge of Fig. 16 wherein the handle
has
been rotated so as to close fully the clamping mechanisms with or without the
panels therein;
Fig. 20 is an alternate close up view of the closed clamping cartridge as
shown in
Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a close-up of the underside of one of the rack's clamping
cartridges in its
closed position;
Fig. 22 is a wider view of the closed clamping cartridge than that shown in
Fig. 21;
Fig. 23 is a view like Fig. 21, but illustrating more clearly the manner in
which the
panels of varying thicknesses are retained in the clamping cartridge;
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Fig. 24 is a close-up, perspective end view of the lower portion of the rack;
Fig. 25 is a close-up, perspective view of the lower portion of the rack shown
from
the opposite side as Fig. 24; and
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the transportation rack with its cargo of
panels being
tested in a transportation simulator.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to Figs. 1A-1D, there is shown the clamping cartridge 11 having the
new
operating mechanism according to the invention.
The components of the clamping cartridge 11 are referenced with numerals 1
through 10, details of which are shown in Figs. 2A-2D to 10A-10D. The clamping
cartridge 11 is similar to the clamping cartridge 10 shown in Appendix A,
especially
in operation, the difference being mainly related to the manner by which the
individual clamping mechanisms are actuated between opened and closed
positions
and vice versa.
Clamping cartridge 11 comprises a plurality of spaced apart clamping
mechanisms
8 (see Figs. 8A-8C) arranged on a chassis or frame 1. The clamping mechanisms
8 (hereinafter referred to as clamps 8) have a pair of clamping arms (jaws) 16
which
are normally inwardly biased (for example, if made of spring steel or the
like) so that
the tips thereof converge together so as to close the clamp 8 in the absence
of
external forces. The individual clamps 8 are affixed to the frame 1 by means
of
respective retainers 9 (see Figs. 9A-9D) and suitable fasteners, not shown,
which
secure the bight 42 of the clamp 8 to the frame 1.
For opening the arms 16 of the clamps 8, a movable slotted guide 13 is
provided
through which the arms 16 of the clamps 8 extend. Preferably, the guide 13 is
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constructed of a channel 6 (see Figs. 6A-6C) having a plurality of spaced-
apart slats
7 (see Figs. 7A-7C) affixed transversely thereto by suitable fasteners, not
shown,
so as to provide a number of transverse slots 15 through which a pair of arms
16,
that is adjacent ones from adjacent clamps 8, extend therethrough, with the
exception of the outermost clamps wherein only the singles outermost arm
extends
therethrough. The slotted guide 13 is movable relative to the frame 1, By
moving
the slotted guide 13 in the direction of the opening of the clamp, the arms 16
are
constrained within the slots 15 and are thereby forced to pivot towards
perpendicular from their normally inwardly angled position as the distance
between
the frame 1 and guide 13 increases and back as the distance between the frame
i
and guide 13 decreases. The channel 6 has sufficient depth D (see Fig. 6C) to
accommodate the length of travel required to fully open the clamps 8, which is
generally at least the length of the arms 16. Use of individual retainers 9
and slats
7 facilitate assembly.
A caroming mechanism is employed to controi the movement of the slotted guide
13 relative to the frame 1. One or more (two as shown in the drawings) cam
housings 2 (see Figs. 3A-3D) are affixed to the slotted guide 13, particularly
on the
underside of channel 6, using suitable fasteners, not shown. Braces 3 are be
welded
to the cam housings 2 for strengthening purposes and or to assist with guiding
the
movement of the slotted guide 13 and cam housings 2 as shown in Fig 21. Each
cam housing 2 encloses a cam wheel (or simply "a calm") 5 (see Figs. 5A-5C)
which
is mounted on a mutual cam shaft 4 (see Figs. 4A-4C:) which extends though
slots
17 in the cam housing 2 and is rotatably mounted to frame 1 through apertures
19
(see Fig. 2A). Cam surface 23 contacts both sides of housing 2.
The cam shaft 4 includes an extension 30 which can be used to rotate the cam
shaft
4 and thus cam wheels 5. The extension 30 may be provided with means to
facilitate rotation of the cam shaft 4, such as a handle 10 (see Figs. 10A-
lOC) , or
may include a lug which can be engaged by a wrench or similar tool. In the
embodiment shown in Fig. 1A, the handle 10 is screwable into a transverse
threaded
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aperture 29 (see Fig. 1C) to effect leveraged rotation of shaft 4.
For ease of manufacture, the cams 5 are circular, but are mounted via off-
centre
aperture 21 with respect to the cam shaft 4. By rotceting the cam shaft 4, the
cams
rotate and urge their cam surface 23 against the cam housing 2, causing the
5 housing 2 to move relative to the frame 1, hence the reason for slots 17 in
the
housings 2. Depending on friction between the contacting components, the
rotational position may be self-maintaining, but preferablyP low friction
components
are utilized so that the biasing force of the clamps 8 against the slots 15 is
sufficient
to always urge the clamping cartridge into its closed position.
Thus, as with the embodiments illustrated in Appendix A, the clamping
cartridge 11
also employs a camming mechanism to effect unitary operation of the individual
clamps.
Referring to Figs. 11A-11D to 14A-14D, to operate the clamping cartridge 11,
the
cam shaft 4 is rotated by the handle means 10, which causes the cam wheels 5
which are affixed to the cam shaft 4 to rotate. The rotation of the cams 5
causes
the cam housings 2 and hence the slotted guide 13 to move relative to the
frame
1. Initially, as shown in Figs. 12A-12D, nominal movement occurs. However,
continued rotation of the handle/cam shaft/cams 10,.4,5 as shown in Figs. 13A-
13D
results in greater relative movement of the slotted guide 13, with the
confinement
of the slots 15 causing the straightening (towards perpendicular) of the arms
16 of
clamps 8. At the fully rotated position shown in Figs. 14A-14C, the arms 16 of
clamps 8 are fully opened to receive therebetween (or release) a portion of
the
edges) of the panel-like objects) 92 (shown schematically). The handle 10 may
then be reversely rotated to cause the slotted guide to lower, thereby
eventually
retaining the panel-like object 92 between the arms 16 of the clamp 8.
Since each of the clamps 8 are individually biased toward a closed position,
the
clamps 8 will naturally adjust to the thickness of the rwtained panels) 92 (as
shown
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best in Figs. 20 and 23). Accordingly, the clamping cartridge 10 can
accommodate
a series of different panels comprising panels of different thicknesses and/or
a
varying number of panels of same or different thickness within each clamp 8,
as
shown in Figs. 20 and 23. This will permit variability in loading or unloading
(i.e.
random access) and typo-dimensional seguencing fear products retained within
the
clamping cartridge 11. When release or removal of one or more panels 92 is
desired, the cam shaft 4 is rotated in the same manner as aforesaid to open
the
clamps 8 in unison. When the desired panels have been removed, the cam shaft 4
can be actuated again to close clamps 8 against the' remaining panels 92.
The clamping cartridge 11 can be used in a variety of storage and/or packaging
systems as explained in conjunction with cartridge 10 in Appendix A, and
similarly,
Figs. 15-26 show the application of a plurality of clamping cartridges 11 in
the
glass-panel storage rack (100 in Appendix A). Fig. 15 illustrates a
transportation/storage rack to retain panels of varying sizes and thicknesses.
Fig.
16 shows one of the rack's side clamping cartridges with its clamps in their
fully-
opened position and having panels of varying thicknesses inserted in several
of the
clamps. Figs. 17 to 18 show the rotation of the handle back towards the
relaxed
or clamping/closed position wherein the panels become retained in their
respective
clamps. Fig. 19 shows the handle rotated so as to close fully the clamping
mechanisms with or without the panels therein. Fig.. 20 is an alternate view
of the
closed clamping cartridge as shown in Fig. 19, illustrating how the panels are
cradled
within the seating/supporting devices (106 in Appendix A) and merely clamped
against movement by the clamps 8. Figs. 21 and 22: show the underside of one
of
the rack's clamping cartridges in its closed position and how the braces 3
assist in
guiding the movement of the slotted guide 13 and cam housings 2. Fig. 23
illustrates more clearly the manner in which the panels of varying thicknesses
are
retainable in the clamping cartridge. Figs. 24 and 25 provide. opposite views
of the
lower portion of the rack. Fig. 26 shows the transportation rack with its
cargo of
panels being tested in a transportation simulator.
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From the forgoing, it will be appreciated that the overall operation of the
clamping
mechanism 11 is similar to that of clamping mechanism 10 described in Appendix
A, however, the subject clamping mechanism provides an alternative operation
mechanism for actuation of its clamping devices. The subject operating
mechanism
provides economy of manufacture.
While there has been shown and described herein a clamping cartridge for panel-
type products and a rack for its application, it will be appreciated that
various
modifications and or substitutions may be made thereto without departing from
the
spirit and scope of the invention.
1~
