# US 9,517,898 B2 · Pivot lock for a bottle gripper

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- Number: US 9,517,898 B2
- Document ID: US9517898B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/649,252
- Filed: 2013-11-28
- Published: 2015-11-12
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04
- Assignees: KHS GmbH
- Applicants: KHS GmbH
- Inventors: Andreas Fahldieck
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517898B2

## CPC

- B65G 47/847: {the article-engaging elements being grippers}
- B65G 47/90: Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
- B65G 47/908: {with inflatable picking-up means (inflatable gripping members on load engaging elements for cranes B66C1/46)}
- B65G 2201/0244: Bottles
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for use in a container-treatment plant. Such an apparatus includes a gripping-and-holding device having a support body, spring-loaded and pivotable gripper arms on the support body, a locking element, and a horizontal pivot axis about which the locking element pivots between locked and release positions. Pivoting into the release position releases the gripper arms.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for use in a container-treatment plant, said apparatus comprising a gripping-and-holding device, said gripping-and-holding device comprising a support body, gripper arms, a locking element, and a pivot axis, wherein said gripper arms are pivotable, wherein said gripper arms are spring loaded, wherein said gripper arms are on said support body, wherein said locking element is on said support body, wherein said locking element pivots about said pivot axis, wherein said pivot axis is horizontal, wherein said locking element has a locked position, wherein said locking element has a release position, wherein said locking element pivots between said locked position and said release position, wherein said locking element pivots about said pivot axis, and wherein, in said release position, said gripper arms are released.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking element comprises a locking side and an actuation side, wherein said locking side and said actuation side are arranged opposite each other relative to said pivot axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking element comprises a claw-like gripper element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking element comprises a U-shaped gripper element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking element comprises, on a locking side thereof, a gripper element, wherein said gripper element is shaped like a sector of a circle, wherein said gripper element defines a semi-circular opening, wherein said semi-circular opening is faces said gripper arms.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising lateral connection bars, wherein, on a locking side thereof, said locking element comprises a gripper element, wherein said connection bars connect said gripper element to said pivot axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lever arm, wherein, on a locking side thereof, said locking element comprises an actuation element, wherein said lever arm connects said actuation element to said pivot axis.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an energy store and a counter-bearing, wherein, on an actuation side thereof, said locking element comprises a holding element having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end connects to said energy store, wherein said second end connects to said counter-bearing, and wherein said energy store is arranged underneath said gripper arms.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transport element, wherein said transport element comprises a recess, wherein said recess enables said locking element to pivot unimpeded on an actuation side thereof.