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US 6,161,826 AGranted
Unit for releasably attaching parts and palletizing apparatus for it
AssigneeParotec AG
InventorFritz Forrer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system comprises two coupling elements to be fastened together between which a connection arrangement is provided for clamping the coupling elements in the direction of a clamping axis as well as an elastic radial orienting arrangement. The elastic radial orienting arrangement includes a springy device allowing relative displacement between the coupling elements transversely to the clamping axis, but provides centering forces in radial direction with respect to the clamping axis which act upon the coupling elements when they are clamped together.
Claims36
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system, comprising:
- a first coupling element, a second coupling element, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- and
- wherein said spring means includes an array of spring elements encircling said clamping axis and comprising respective projections extending radially about said clamping axis.
2 more elements
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system, comprising:
- a first coupling element, a second coupling element, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- wherein said spring means providing centering forces in radial direction have a predetermined number of radially projecting protrusions.
1 more element
Unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein said connection arrangement comprises an axial clamping arrangement including:
- a pair of radial pressure surfaces, a first one of them being on said first coupling element, a second one of them being on said second coupling element, at least one of said radial pressure surfaces being conical;
- and
- an annular press body arrangement between said radial pressure surfaces to be pressed by said at least one conical radial pressure surfaces against the other one for engagement, said releasing means moving at least one of said radial pressure surfaces away from the other one to relieve pressure from said annular press body arrangement.
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system, comprising:
- a first coupling element, a second coupling element, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- wherein said second coupling element has at least one abutment surface extending around said clamping axis to be engaged by said elastic radial orienting arrangement, said spring means being elastically deformed so as to generate said centering forces in radial direction when said first and second coupling elements are clamped together;
- and
- wherein said spring means providing centering forces in radial direction have a predetermined number of radial protrusions projecting in outward direction, said abutment surface facing said clamping axis.
3 more elements
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system, comprising:
- a first coupling element, a second coupling element, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- wherein said axial clamping arrangement comprises axial biasing means forcing at least one of said first and second coupling elements into engagement with at least one of said connection arrangement and said elastic radial orienting arrangement;
- and
- wherein said axial biasing means comprise a plurality of springs arranged around said clamping axis.
3 more elements
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system, comprising:
- a first coupling element, a second coupling element, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- wherein said axial clamping arrangement comprises axial biasing means forcing at least one of said first and second coupling elements into engagement with at least one of said connection arrangement and said elastic radial orienting arrangement;
- and
- wherein said axial clamping arrangement comprises a pair of radial pressure surfaces, a first one of them being on said first coupling element, a second one of them being on said second coupling element, at least one of said radial pressure surfaces being conical, and an annular press body arrangement between said radial pressure surfaces to be pressed by said at least one conical radial pressure surfaces against the other one for engagement, said axial biasing means providing pressure acting upon said annular press body.
3 more elements
A unit for releasably attaching parts of a palletizing system, comprising:
- a first coupling element, a second coupling element, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- wherein said first and second coupling elements further comprise an axial orientation arrangement;
- said axial orientation arrangement comprises at least one contact surface on each of said coupling elements, at least one contact surface of one of said coupling elements facing the respective contact surface of the other of said coupling elements;
- said unit further comprises means for preventing dirt between said first and second coupling elements;
- and
- wherein said dirt preventing means comprise supply means for a fluid between said first and second element.
5 more elements
A palletizing apparatus comprising:
- at least one pallet;
- at least one pallet counter-plate, said pallet and said pallet counter-plate each including means for fastening parts;
- said fastening means comprising a first coupling element fixed to one of said pallet and pallet counter-plate, a second coupling element fixed to the respective other one of said pallet and pallet counter-plate, a connection arrangement for clamping said first and second coupling elements in the direction of a predetermined clamping axis which passes centrally through said first and second elements;
- and
- an elastic radial orienting arrangement including spring means allowing relative displacement between said first and second coupling elements in a direction transverse to said clamping axis, but providing centering forces in radial direction with respect to said clamping axis which act upon said first and second coupling elements when clamping them together;
- and
- wherein said spring means includes an array of spring elements encircling said clamping axis and comprising respective projections extending radially about said clamping axis.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.