Pneumatic slide assembly for material handling
OwnerJoshua Arden Clareinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic material handling slide assembly and method is provided to accommodate work pieces of various sizes at a manufacturing site. The assembly includes a lower base plate fixed to the floor and an upper plate slidably mounted on top of the lower plate. An air pocket is provided in the lower surface of the upper plate. Compressed air can be supplied to the air pocket to lift the upper plate and associated material handling equipment for sliding along the lower base plate. Locks are provided on the upper plate to secure the upper plate in a desired position along the lower plate.
Claims18
A material handling assembly for manufacturing, comprising:
- a first plate adapted to be mounted to a floor;
- a second plate mounted on the first plate for sliding movement along the first plate;
- the second plate having a lower surface with a recess formed therein and extending upwardly into the plate;
- an air inlet in the second plate communicating with the recess, the air inlet providing pressurized air to lift the second plate relative to the first plate when moving the second plate along the first plate;
- and
- a support on the second plate adapted to hold a work piece during a manufacturing operation.
A pneumatic slide assembly for material handling, comprising:
- a fixed lower plate;
- a slidable upper plate slidable along a top of the lower plate;
- a support member extending upwardly from the upper plate to hold an object to be worked upon in a position above the upper plate;
- a pocket in a lower surface of the upper plate and being open to the atmosphere;
- an air inlet in the upper plate communicating with the pocket;
- wherein introduction of air into the pocket via the air inlet lifts the upper plate for sliding movement along the lower plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.