Glass article handling chuck
AssigneeOwens-Illinois, Inc.
InventorDaniel L. LaRue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A chuck for handling hollow, cylindrical glass articles, such as used in solar energy installations, is disclosed wherein such glass articles generally are in the form of concentrically assembled glass tubing having a coated exterior surface. In the orientation in handling these types of glass articles, a polypropylene, integral chucking mechanism, which is adapted to be inserted within the glass article and actuated after insertion, expands to engage the interior surface of the glass article and maintains the article in a specific, desired, fixed position. The inclusion of a cone member on the chuck supporting structure and a V block guide assist in the proper alignment of the glass article relative to the clamp and its support.
Claims5
An internal chuck for hollow glass articles comprising:
- an elongated rod;
- a reciprocating motor;
- means connecting the output of said motor to said rod;
- an elongated, rigid tube telescopically positioned over said rod;
- means mounting said motor to one end of said tube;
- an elongated, integral, hollow plastic member having a threaded portion at one end thereof;
- said threaded end of said member being threaded into the other end of said tube;
- means connecting the other end of said plastic member to the end of said rod;
- said member being outwardly deflectable upon relative movement of said rod and tube upon actuation of said motor, whereby said member will grip the interior of a glass article within which it is positioned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.