Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A method utilizing a vacuum cup for a material handling system including a body portion and a perimeter seal that functions to substantially seal against an object. Engaging the vacuum cup with an object to substantially seal the cup perimeter against the object. Substantially closing a relief port, via the sealing member, as the vacuum cup is engaged with the object. Transporting the object to a targeted location while the perimeter seal is substantially sealed against the object. Moving the vacuum cup in a direction generally away from the object at the targeted location. At least partially opening the relief portion to at least partially vent the cavity from the vacuum cup. Removing the vacuum cup from the object.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A vacuum cup for a material handling system includes a body portion and a perimeter seal that functions to substantially seal against an object. The vacuum cup may transport the object when a partial vacuum is applied to the vacuum cup to retain the cup to the object. The vacuum cup includes a relief port and sealing member that function to at least partially relieve the vacuum from the vacuum cup to allow the vacuum cup to be detached from the object with a reduced force, even while the vacuum is applied. The sealing member may engage a surface of the object to close the relief port. When the vacuum cup is initially pulled or moved away from the object, the sealing member is at least partially separated from the object and allows the cavity to be vented to at least partially relieve the vacuum within the cavity.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for pivotally mounting a workpiece holder to a support structure includes a mounting member having an opening at least partially therethrough and a swivel member. The swivel member has a generally cylindrical passageway therethrough for at least partially receiving a support structure. The swivel member defines a truncated, generally spherical shaped swivel member having a curved outer surface for engaging an inner surface of the opening of the mounting member. The swivel member includes a reduced diameter or chamfered portion at the outer surface to facilitate insertion of the swivel member into the opening of the mounting member, whereby the swivel member is substantially retained within the opening after insertion therein. The mounting member may be a mounting bracket for adjustably mounting to a workpiece holder or may be a mounting block which is attachable to a workpiece holder.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for pivotally mounting a workpiece holder to a support structure includes a mounting member having an opening at least partially therethrough and a swivel member. The swivel member has a generally cylindrical passageway therethrough for at least partially receiving a support structure. The swivel member defines a truncated, generally spherical shaped swivel member having a curved outer surface for engaging an inner surface of the opening of the mounting member. The swivel member includes a reduced diameter or chamfered portion at the outer surface to facilitate insertion of the swivel member into the opening of the mounting member, whereby the swivel member is substantially retained within the opening after insertion therein. The mounting member may be a mounting bracket for adjustably mounting to a workpiece holder or may be a mounting block which is attachable to a workpiece holder.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for a fluid cylinder for a workpiece holder includes a flow restricting member and a flexible sealing member. The flow restricting member defines a first passageway and a sealing surface. The flexible sealing member is positioned around the sealing surface. A second passageway is defined between the sealing member and a sealing surface of the flow restricting member when the sealing member is pushed away from the sealing surface in response to fluid flow in a first direction. When fluid flow is applied in the opposite direction, the sealing member moves to engage the sealing surface to substantially limit or preclude fluid flow between the sealing member and the sealing surface in the second direction. The fluid flow in the second direction is thus restricted to flow through the first passageway, thereby slowing or controlling the flow in the second direction.

Abstract: A gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket includes a center element and a pair of opposite end elements which are connectable to the center element via one or more fasteners. The mounting bracket defines a generally circular opening between the center element and one of the end elements and defines a second opening between the center element and other end element which has an arcuate or curved cross section, whereby a truncated spherical swivel member is pivotably secured therein when the bracket elements are secured together. The gripper or workpiece holder is pivotally secured within the generally circular opening, while the swivel member receives a generally cylindrical support structure therethrough. Adjustment of a clamping force at either or both of the openings of the mounting bracket may be accomplished via loosening of a single fastener.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for a fluid cylinder for a workpiece holder includes a flow restricting member and a flexible sealing member. The flow restricting member defines a first passageway and a sealing surface. The flexible sealing member is positioned around the sealing surface. A second passageway is defined between the sealing member and a sealing surface of the flow restricting member when the sealing member is pushed away from the sealing surface in response to fluid flow in a first direction. When fluid flow is applied in the opposite direction, the sealing member moves to engage the sealing surface to substantially limit or preclude fluid flow between the sealing member and the sealing surface in the second direction. The fluid flow in the second direction is thus restricted to flow through the first passageway, thereby slowing or controlling the flow in the second direction.

Abstract: A gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket includes a center element and a pair of opposite end elements which are connectable to the center element via one or more fasteners. The mounting bracket defines a generally circular opening between the center element and one of the end elements and defines a second opening between the center element and other end element which has an arcuate or curved cross section, whereby a truncated spherical swivel member is pivotably secured therein when the bracket elements are secured together. The gripper or workpiece holder is pivotally secured within the generally circular opening, while the swivel member receives a generally cylindrical support structure therethrough. Adjustment of a clamping force at either or both of the openings of the mounting bracket may be accomplished via loosening of a single fastener.

Abstract: An adjustable stroke gripper assembly includes an adjustment member carried by a housing. The adjustment member is movable between at least a first and a second position, whereby when in the first position, retraction of the drive member moves the pair of jaws of the gripper assembly to a first open position defining a first angle therebetween, and when the adjustment member is moved to the second position, the pair of jaws open to a second open position defining a second angle which is different than the first angle. The adjustment member of the gripper assembly permits the stroke of the gripper to be adjusted to grasp workpieces of differing dimensions, and also to enable the use of the gripper assembly in environments wherein clearance requires the jaws to open to a particular angle. Furthermore, the adjustment member permits the jaw angle to be varied without replacing the pair of jaws.