Fluid pressure operated stack elevating device
AssigneesThe Singer Company, AVG Productions, Inc.
InventorMartin Schreiner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid pressure operated stacking device with a frusto-conically shaped inflatable bladder accommodated with clearance within a housing into which a stack container with stack embracing sidewall panels is insertable with the stack container panels arranged in the clearance space between the housing and the bladder.
Claims5
In a stack elevating device having a housing with a floor partition, a platform arranged in said housing above said floor partition for supporting a vertical stack of material plys, means in said housing guiding said platform for movement vertically therein, and means for maintaining an uppermost ply of said vertical stack of material plys at a predetermined elevation above said floor partition, said last named means comprising:
- a flexible inflatable bladder of frusto conical shape, means securing the smaller extremity of said bladder on said housing floor partition and the larger extremity of said bladder beneath said platform, said housing providing a clearance space on all sides of said bladder and being free of any lateral supporting contact with said bladder between the extremities thereof in any degree of bladder inflation;
- and conduit means for delivering fluid to said bladder, and means for influencing the pressure of said fluid in said bladder, said pressure influencing means providing the only control of the bladder extension as the number of material plys in said stack changes.
A stack elevating device comprising:
- a housing with a floor partition,
- a platform arranged in said housing above said floor partition for supporting a stack of material plys,
- a flexible inflatable bladder of frusto conical shape,
- means securing the smaller extremity of said bladder on said housing floor partition and the larger extremity of said bladder beneath said platform,
- said housing providing a clearance space on all sides of said bladder and being free of any lateral supporting contact with said bladder between the extremities thereof in any degree of bladder inflation;
- and conduit means for delivering fluid under controlled pressure into said bladder,
- platform guiding means in said housing comprising paralled vertical guide tracks formed on housing outwardly of said clearance space between said housing and said bladder, in which said platform includes arms radiating through said clearance space, each arm carrying means of cooperating with one of said guide tracks,
- a stack container separate from said housing and having sidewall panels snuggly embracing a stack of material plys to be elevated by said stack elevating device,
- means securing said stack container within said housing with said stack container panels arranged in said clearance space between said housing and said bladder,
- and in which said stack container includes an upper rim and means securing said sidewall panels to said rim with spaces therebetween providing clearance for vertical travel of said platform arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.