Patents by Inventor Bruno Sandmeier

Bruno Sandmeier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8413973
    Abstract: The clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and fixedly securable thereto releasably a clamping pallet (6). The chuck (1) is provided with four centering pins (3) arranged at the chuck (1) cooperating with centering openings (9) arranged at the clamping pallet (6) such that the clamping pallet (6) when chucked in the chuck (1) is oriented in the X and Y direction. Each centering pin (3) features two conically tapered side faces (3a, 3b) whilst each centering opening (9) is defined by two side walls (9a, 9b) oriented parallel to each other. When chucking the clamping pallet (6) at the chuck (1) the conically tapered side faces (3a, 3b) of each centering pin (3) come into line contact with the sidewalls of the centering opening (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8376340
    Abstract: The clamping fixture (1) consists of a workpiece pallet (2) and an actuator (27). The workpiece pallet (2) comprises at least two clamping jaws (4,5) for clamping in place a workpiece, while the actuator (27) is provided for opening and closing the clamping jaws (4,5). By means of the actuator (27) the clamping jaws (4,5) are material-elastically excursionable to the extent that a workpiece, after release of the actuator (27), can be locked in place by the material-elastic restoring force of the clamping jaws (4,5). Preferably the workpiece pallet (2) comprises a main body (3) provided with a slot (6) defined on both sides by the clamping jaws (4,5). The clamping jaws (4,5) are material-elastic excursionable by means of the actuator (27) transversely to the slot (6). The clamping jaws (4,5) are provided with fitted jaws (13, 14) which in relation to each clamping jaw (4,5) can be shifted transversely to the slot (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8262072
    Abstract: A work piece carrier is provided with two reference systems for accurately positioning it with regard to a chuck member. The work piece carrier comprises a central aperture with the two opposite ends of the aperture surrounded by one of the reference systems. The two reference systems are independent from each other and allow the work piece carrier to be attached to the chuck member in two different positions. Assigned to each reference system is a protrusion surrounding the central aperture and extending substantially in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the work piece carrier. The particular protrusion is provided with a shoulder serving as a clamping surface, adapted to be engaged by clamping elements provided in the chuck member. Preferably, also the centering elements for defining the position of the work piece carrier with regard to the chuck member are located on the particular protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8256773
    Abstract: A clamping fixture features a chuck provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locating a workpiece pallet. The locking mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members which in the locked position are engineered to engage a clamping spigot connected to the workpiece pallet. Each clamping member, or alternatively an actuating member assigned to a clamping member, is provided with a feedthru bore which on correct locking and/or release of the corresponding clamping members is closed off at one end. The feedthru bores are connectable by a common connecting conduit to a compressed air source. In addition, at least one sensor is provided for sensing air flow in the connecting conduit by means of which it can detected whether the clamping members are correctly released or locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8240971
    Abstract: A handling manipulator assembly comprises a vertical extending main support (2) arranged on a rotary plate (3). Arranged on the main support (2) is a vertically travelling vertical carriage (9) to which a horizontal extension arm (12) is secured. Mounted on the horizontal extension arm (12) is an articulated arm (14) provided at the end with a manipulator gripper (18). Such a handling manipulator assembly (1) is suitable to advantage to feed/remove tools or workpieces to/from a machine tool provided with a front portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8152151
    Abstract: A clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and a workpiece pallet (22) releasably located thereon. The chuck (1) is provided with a clamping mechanism for locating the workpiece pallet (22). The clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members configured as plungers (10). The workpiece pallet (22) comprises a clamping surface (28a) running essentially along its shell surface (26) for surface contacting the plungers (10) by its front part (12) provided with a compression surface (13) during clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8062462
    Abstract: A system and a method for joining non-transparent parts (1, 2) by means of an electromagnetic radiation curable adhesive comprises at least one at least partly transparent element (3) inserted between the parts (1, 2) to be joined together such that electromagnetic radiation beamed into the element (3) initiates curing of a film of adhesive applied to the element (3) and/or to a non-transparent part (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20100019428
    Abstract: The clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and fixedly securable thereto releasably a clamping pallet (6). The chuck (1) is provided with four centering pins (3) arranged at the chuck (1) cooperating with centering openings (9) arranged at the clamping pallet (6) such that the clamping pallet (6) when chucked in the chuck (1) is oriented in the X and Y direction. Each centering pin (3) features two conically tapered side faces (3a, 3b) whilst each centering opening (9) is defined by two side walls (9a, 9b) oriented parallel to each other. When chucking the clamping pallet (6) at the chuck (1) the conically tapered side faces (3a, 3b) of each centering pin (3) come into line contact with the sidewalls of the centering opening (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: EROWA AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20090236787
    Abstract: The clamping fixture (1) consists of a workpiece pallet (2) and an actuator (27). The workpiece pallet (2) comprises at least two clamping jaws (4,5) for clamping in place a workpiece, whilst the actuator (27) is provided for opening and closing the clamping jaws (4,5). By means of the actuator (27) the clamping jaws (4,5) are material-elastically excursionable to the extent that a workpiece, after release of the actuator (27), can be locked in place by the material-elastic restoring force of the clamping jaws (4,5). Preferably the workpiece pallet (2) comprises a main body (3) provided with a slot (6) defined on both sides by the clamping jaws (4,5). The clamping jaws (4,5) are material-elastic excursionable by means of the actuator (27) transversely to the slot (6). The clamping jaws (4,5) are provided with fitted jaws (13, 14) which in relation to each clamping jaw (4,5) can be shifted transversely to the slot (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20090179371
    Abstract: A work piece carrier is provided with two reference systems for accurately positioning it with regard to a chuck member. The work piece carrier comprises a central aperture with the two opposite ends of the aperture surrounded by one of the reference systems. The two reference systems are independent from each other and allow the work piece carrier to be attached to the chuck member in two different positions. Assigned to each reference system is a protrusion surrounding the central aperture and extending substantially in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the work piece carrier. The particular protrusion is provided with a shoulder serving as a clamping surface, adapted to be engaged by clamping elements provided in the chuck member. Preferably, also the centering elements for defining the position of the work piece carrier with regard to the chuck member are located on the particular protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20090102143
    Abstract: A clamping fixture features a chuck provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locating a workpiece pallet. The locking mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members which in the locked position are engineered to engage a clamping spigot connected to the workpiece pallet. Each clamping member, or alternatively an actuating member assigned to a clamping member, is provided with a feedthru bore which on correct locking and/or release of the corresponding clamping members is closed off at one end. The feedthru bores are connectable by a common connecting conduit to a compressed air source. In addition, at least one sensor is provided for sensing air flow in the connecting conduit by means of which it can detected whether the clamping members are correctly released or locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20090051094
    Abstract: A clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and a workpiece pallet (22) releasably located thereon. The chuck (1) is provided with a clamping mechanism for locating the workpiece pallet (22). The clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members configured as plungers (10). The workpiece pallet (22) comprises a clamping surface (28a) running essentially along its shell surface (26) for surface contacting the plungers (10) by its front part (12) provided with a compression surface (13) during clamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20080253876
    Abstract: A handling manipulator assembly comprises a vertical extending main support (2) arranged on a rotary plate (3). Arranged on the main support (2) is a vertically travelling vertical carriage (9) to which a horizontal extension arm (12) is secured. Mounted on the horizontal extension arm (12) is an articulated arm (14) provided at the end with a manipulator gripper (18). Such a handling manipulator assembly (1) is suitable to advantage to feed/remove tools or workpieces to/from a machine tool provided with a front portal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20080173394
    Abstract: A system and a method for joining non-transparent parts (1, 2) by means of an electromagnetic radiation curable adhesive comprises at least one at least partly transparent element (3) inserted between the parts (1, 2) to be joined together such that electromagnetic radiation beamed into the element (3) initiates curing of a film of adhesive applied to the element (3) and/or to a non-transparent part (1, 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Publication number: 20080021589
    Abstract: In a system for an exchange of information between a machine tool (1) and a transfer device (11) for feeding blank or pre-machined work pieces or tools to the machine tool (1) or removing machined products or tools from the machine tool (1), the machine tool (1) comprises a control unit (3) and an interface (4), whereby the control unit (3) monitors and controls machining states of the machine tool (1) and transmits information regarding the machining states of the machine tool (1) via the interface (4) to the transfer device (11) to activate the transfer device (11). The transfer device (11) receives the information via an interface (14) assigned to it, processes the information by means of a control unit (13) assigned to it and reacts in response to the information, whereby a printer interface is used as the interface (4) of the machine tool (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier