# US 8,220,853 B2 · Clamping element for fitting on a clamping tongue of a gripper as well as gripper fitted with such a clamping element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,220,853 B2 - Document ID: US8220853B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/571,817 - Filed: 2009-10-01 - Published: 2010-04-08 - Granted: 2012-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-02 - Assignees: Ferag AG - Inventors: Carl Conrad Maeder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8220853B2 ## CPC - B65H 29/003: {by grippers (B65H29/02 takes precedence)} - B65H 2405/552: with permanent interconnection and determined spacing between the grippers - B65H 2405/571: Compliant material - B65H 2601/324: Removability or inter-changeability of machine parts, e.g. for maintenance - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract A clamping element for attaching a gripper onto a clamping tongue as well as a gripper with this kind of clamping element is provided. The clamping element has a longitudinal carrier the width of which substantially corresponds to the width of the clamping tongue and at least two mutually distanced clamping regions. At least one fastening element for the detachable fastening of the clamping elements to the clamping tongue (42, 44) is provided. The clamping element provides an improved force division as well as a secure support on the clamping tongue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In a gripper for gripping an object, wherein the gripper comprises a T-shaped clamping tongue having a central clamping tongue part and first and second arms laterally protruding from opposite sides of the central clamping tongue part, a clamping element, the clamping element comprising: an elongated carrier, the length of which substantially corresponds to the distance from a distal end of the first arm to a distal end of the second arm; at least two mutually distanced clamping regions, on the elongated carrier, in which the clamping element, when in use, acts together with a gripped object or a counter clamping tongue, respectively, wherein the clamping regions are arranged on the elongated carrier such that, when the clamping element is attached to the clamping tongue, they are located in the regions of the first and second arms; at least one fastening element for detachable fastening of the clamping element to the clamping tongue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the clamping regions are formed by an elastically deformable thickening on the elongated carrier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the clamping regions are formed by two elastic bodies and wherein the elongated carrier comprises a material bridge, which connects the elastic bodies to each other rigidly or elastically. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the form of a front surface of the elongated carrier is variable in the clamping regions under the effect of force. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the elongated carrier comprises a hollow profile with a basic layer and an elastically deformable covering layer distanced from it, wherein the distance between the basic layer and the covering layer is enlarged in the clamping regions in relation to other regions of the elongated carrier. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Clamping element according to claim 5, wherein the hollow profile comprises at least in the clamping regions several chambers with separating walls. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Clamping element according claim 1, wherein two fastening elements are provided, which are arranged on the elongated carrier on outer ends in its longitudinal direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the elongated carrier as a whole is elastically deformable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to one claim 1, wherein the fastening elements are formed by recesses in the elongated carrier, wherein the recesses comprise openings facing one another and orientated in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein it is, at least in the clamping regions, treated such that it is ink repellent, in particular by comprising a non-stick coating or being manufactured of a material of low adhesion. ### Claim 11 Gripper for gripping flat objects, in particular printed products comprising: a first and a second clamping tongue that are pivotable in relation to one another about a pivot axis, such that the gripper may be brought into an open configuration or closed configuration respectively, wherein at least the first clamping tongue is T-shaped and comprises a central clamping tongue part and first and second arms protruding laterally from opposite sides of the central clamping tongue part; clamping force generating elements for generating a clamping force between the clamping tongues in order to press the clamping tongues against each other in the closed configuration; clamping elements that are arranged on distal ends of the clamping tongues, wherein the clamping elements of both clamping tongues lie on each other or on the flat object other in the closed configuration; wherein at least one of the clamping elements comprises an elongated carrier, the length of which substantially corresponds to the distance from a distal end of the first arm to a distal end of the second arm; at least two mutually distanced clamping regions, in which the clamping element, when in use, acts together with a gripped object or the other clamping tongue, respectively, wherein the clamping regions are arranged on the elongated carrier such that they are located in the regions of the first and second arms; at least one fastening element detachably fastening the clamping element to the clamping tongue. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) Gripper according to claim 11, wherein the at least one fastening element acts together with the clamping tongue or the arms respectively in one of a form and a force fitting manner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the form of a front surface of the carrier is, in the clamping regions, adaptable to the form and position of the gripped object or to a counter clamping tongue. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) Clamping element according to claim 5, wherein the hollow profile comprises at least in the clamping regions several chambers with separating walls, which are orientated in oblique to the basic layer or the covering layer, respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein the carrier as a whole is bendable in perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to one claim 1, wherein the fastening elements are formed by recesses in the elongated carrier, wherein the recesses comprise openings facing one another and orientated in longitudinal direction, the shape of which is adapted to the arms laterally arranged on the clamping tongue, such that the arms are insertable into the recesses. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Clamping element according to claim 1, wherein it, at least in the clamping regions, comprises a non-stick coating is manufactured of a material of low adhesion.