# US 10,766,718 B2 · Tool and method for gripping a pallet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,718 B2 - Document ID: US10766718B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/081,783 - Filed: 2017-03-03 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04 - Assignees: Sidel End of Line Solutions France - Applicants: Sidel End of Line Solutions France - Inventors: Laurent Ferre; Didier Maudet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766718B2 ## CPC - B65G 47/902: {provided with drive systems incorporating rotary and rectilinear movements} - B65G 49/069: {Means for avoiding damage to stacked plate glass, e.g. by interposing paper or powder spacers in the stack (maculation per se B65H39/00)} - B66F 9/18: Load gripping or retaining means - B65G 2201/0267: Pallets - B65G 2249/04: Arrangements of vacuum systems or suction cups - B65G 2249/045: Details of suction cups suction cups - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a tool that is to be mounted on a handling device and grips pallet bases, the tool including a frame and a gripper for the bases that is mounted on the frame. The gripper is movable in the frame in such a way as to cooperate with a single edge of a pallet. The present invention relates to a corresponding transfer apparatus and a corresponding method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Method for gripping empty pallets (3) using a tool (1) comprising a gripper (5) having a clamping means (6) mounted to move on a frame (4) of said tool (1), method comprising: extending the gripper (5) to bring it into an active position; picking up a pallet (3) using said clamping means (6) forming a vise for grasping a single edge of the pallet (3) on a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the pallet (3) is picked up at a distance less than a midpoint of a length of the pallet, causing the pallet to be placed in a cantilevered position having the gravity center of the pallet base (3) being located beyond said clamping means (6); moving the tool (1) so that it takes said pallet (3) with it; releasing the pallet (3) at a destination; and retracting the gripper (5). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein picking up the pallet (3) is done by clamping it at the pick-up edge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein the pallet (3) is picked up in a way that is asymmetrical in relation to the tool (1). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein picking up the pallet (3) is done by raising the pallet (3) using a first jaw inserted in advance to offset the pallet (3) from its base at the pick-up edge, then clamping a second jaw against it, with the pallet (3) being picked up between the two of them. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means (6) comprises a support (7) of pallet (3), as well as a cap (8) to come opposite the support (7). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Method according to claim 5, wherein the support (7) has a length of between 10 and 18 centimeters. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) Method according to claim 5, wherein the cap (8) moves in the gripper (5) to the support (7) and thus to clamp the pallet (3) or to move away from it and thus release the pallet (2), with the gripper (5) being equipped, in addition, with an actuator (9) that acts on the cap (8), and with a separate linear guide (10) for the movement of said cap (8) in the gripper (5). ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) Method of claim 5, wherein the support (7) is structured and arranged for insertion into the pallet (3). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, wherein the gripper (5) has a number of arms (11) located at one edge of the tool (1), with said arms (11) each having, at their free ends, a claw for together forming the clamping means (6). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retractable lever (13) that is mounted to move on the frame (4) at the side opposite to the one where the gripper (5) is mounted, and, a number of suction cups (14), for grasping an insert, at least one of them being configured to mount to the gripper (5) and at least one other being configured to mount to said at least one lever (13).