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US 2006/0230789 A1Published application
System, method, and apparatus for interchangeably accommodating both fixed and floating takeout inserts
AssigneePoco Graphite, Inc.
InventorDavid Lang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A takeout jaw for handling glass bottles includes a holder for both fixed and floating inserts. This design allows an insert to be in a fixed position when the insert is provided with a nominal thickness. When a floating insert of a lesser thickness is installed, the spring clip does not engage the floating insert, which allows the floating insert to move vertically or float. The takeout holder contains either type of insert within the pocket with retaining clips that engage chamfers formed on the inserts.
Claims20
A takeout jaw assembly, comprising:
- a takeout jaw having a pocket for interchangeable inserts, the pocket being oriented in a first direction, and defining a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- fixed retention means mounted to the takeout jaw and extending into the pocket in the second direction;
- a fixed insert mountable in the pocket in a fixed configuration such that the fixed retention means engages and retains the fixed insert in the takeout jaw to prevent motion of the fixed insert in the second direction;
- a floating insert mountable in the pocket in a floating configuration such that the fixed retention means is free of engagement with the floating insert to allow motion of the floating insert in the second direction;
- and
- dual retention means for engaging and retaining either the fixed insert or the floating insert in the pocket while in their respective configurations.
3 more elements
A takeout jaw assembly, comprising:
- a takeout jaw having a pocket for interchangeable inserts, the pocket being oriented in a first direction, and defining a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- fixed retention means a spring clip mounted to the takeout jaw and extending into the pocket in the second direction;
- a fixed insert having a depression and chamfers formed therein and a fixed configuration such that the fixed insert is located in the pocket and the spring clip engages the depression to retain the fixed insert in the takeout jaw to prevent motion of the fixed insert in the second direction;
- a floating insert having chamfers formed therein and a floating configuration such that the floating insert is located in the pocket and the spring clip is free of engagement with the floating insert to allow motion of the floating insert in the second direction;
- and
- retaining clips mounted to lateral sides of the takeout jaw adjacent the pocket for engaging the chamfers of either the fixed insert or the floating insert and retaining said either the fixed insert or the floating insert in the pocket while in their respective configurations.
3 more elements
A method of providing interchangeable fixed and floating inserts for a takeout jaw assembly, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a takeout jaw having a pocket oriented in a first direction, and defining a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- (b) mounting a fixed retainer on the takeout jaw;
- (c) mounting a dual retainer on the takeout jaw;
- (d) positioning a fixed insert in the pocket in a fixed configuration by engaging the fixed insert with both the fixed retainer and the dual retainer such that motion by the fixed insert is prevented in the second direction;
- and to reconfigure the takeout jaw:
- (e) removing the fixed insert from the pocket and positioning a floating insert in the pocket in a floating configuration by engaging the fixed insert with only the dual retainer such that the floating insert has a range of motion in the second direction.
3 more elements
A takeout jaw, comprising:
- a fixture having a pocket oriented in a first direction, and defining a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- fixed retention means mounted to the takeout jaw and extending into the pocket in the second direction;
- and
- retention means for engaging and retaining an insert in the pocket while in their respective configurations.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.