Patents by Inventor Kurt Schmalz

Kurt Schmalz 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: 8628186
    Abstract: A device for generating an negative pressure comprises a plurality of ejectors and a receiving device therefor. The receiving device comprises at least one connection for a compressed air line, the connection protruding into a compressed air distribution system to which a compressed air channel of each ejector can be connected, and each ejector being provided with an negative pressure channel that can be connected to the negative pressure system of the ejector. The receiving device forms a holding frame and a quick-change system for the ejectors, and can be connected to the ejectors by means of control lines, and to a machine control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20100277331
    Abstract: A device for generating an negative pressure comprises a plurality of ejectors and a receiving device therefor. The receiving device comprises at least one connection for a compressed air line, the connection protruding into a compressed air distribution system to which a compressed air channel of each ejector can be connected, and each ejector being provided with an negative pressure channel that can be connected to the negative pressure system of the ejector. The receiving device forms a holding frame and a quick-change system for the ejectors, and can be connected to the ejectors by means of control lines, and to a machine control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: J. SCHMALZ GMBH
    Inventor: Kurt Schmalz
  • Patent number: 7661736
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure surface gripping device with an extruded profile having a hollow chamber, a vacuum plate which is mounted parallel to the extruded profile, at least one flow through opening which connects the extruded profile to the vacuum plate, and with an ejector as a vacuum generator, wherein the ejector is inserted into the hollow chamber of the extruded profile and the suction opening of the ejector communicates with the flow through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Leonhard Harter
  • Publication number: 20080291235
    Abstract: A device for generating an underpressure comprises a plurality of ejectors and a receiving device therefor. The receiving device comprises at least one connection for a compressed air line, the connection protruding into a compressed air distribution system to which a compressed air channel of each ejector can be connected, and each ejector being provided with an underpressure channel that can be connected to the underpressure system of the ejector. The receiving device forms a holding frame and a quick-change system for the ejectors, and can be connected to the ejectors by means of control lines, and to a machine control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: J. SCHMALZ GMBH
    Inventor: Kurt Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20080129062
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure surface gripping device with an extruded profile having a hollow chamber, a vacuum plate which is mounted parallel to the extruded profile, at least one flow through opening which connects the extruded profile to the vacuum plate, and with an ejector as a vacuum generator, wherein the ejector is inserted into the hollow chamber of the extruded profile and the suction opening of the ejector communicates with the flow through opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Leonhard Harter
  • Patent number: 7240935
    Abstract: A vacuum gripper for suctioning work pieces, having a vacuum connection, a flexible suction body and a suction body holder, where the side of the suction body facing the work piece has a sealing lip bounding a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is connected to the vacuum connection. The suction body has a contact surface abutting the work pieces with prevailing vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The contact surface is provided with elements, where the elements are have a rod or pin-shaped configuration and form a microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Schmierer, Kurt Schmalz, Stanislav Gorb, Eduard Arzt
  • Patent number: 6945277
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure valve with a multi-part housing and a disc-like closing body which has at least one opening, and with an opening-free section disposed in alignment with the flow channel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Gernot Schmierer, Thomas Eisele, Daniel Heine, Dieter Geissler, Leonhard Harter, Daniel Grözinger
  • Patent number: 6817639
    Abstract: Under pressure handling device comprising an under pressure generator, a device for controlling the under pressure and several grippers which engage on a work piece to be handled, wherein each gripper is provided with a device for controlling the under pressure, a sensor for detecting state variables on the gripper and an evaluation electronics to which the device for controlling the under pressure and the sensor are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Gernot Schmierer
  • Patent number: 6817601
    Abstract: A block suction apparatus for fixing plate-shaped work pieces on a fixing beam or fixing table using under-pressure has at least one support surface provided with a sealing plate having a sealing lip about its periphery. The sealing lip delimits a suction chamber and least one supporting element is provided within the suction chamber. At least one additional supporting element is also provided and is located in the direct vicinity of the sealing lip. Sagging of sections of a plate being lifted by the apparatus which project past the block suction apparatus is thereby reduced and the edge of the plate can therefore be processed with greater accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Ralf Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20040207219
    Abstract: A vacuum gripper for suctioning work pieces, having a vacuum connection, a flexible suction body and a suction body holder, where the side of the suction body facing the work piece has a sealing lip bounding a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is connected to the vacuum connection. The suction body has a contact surface abutting the work pieces with prevailing vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The contact surface is provided with elements, where the elements are have a rod or pin-shaped configuration and form a microstructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Gernot Schmierer, Kurt Schmalz, Stanislav Gorb, Eduard Arzt
  • Publication number: 20040105760
    Abstract: Ejector with driver gas comprising at least one primary nozzle branch (12) with a driver nozzle (36) having a cross-sectional narrowing and an adjacent receiving nozzle (32), wherein a suction line (24) terminates in the narrowing, characterized by at least one connectable secondary nozzle branch (14) having a driver nozzle (38) with a cross-sectional narrowing and an adjacent receiving nozzle (34), wherein the narrowing of the secondary nozzle branch (14) is connected to a suction line (24) when the secondary nozzle branch (14) is opened, and with a closing instrument (20) connected upstream, with respect to the flow direction of the gas propellant, of the at least one secondary nozzle branch (14) to connect and disconnect the secondary nozzle branch (14) in dependence on the inlet pressure of the driver gas entering the ejector (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Eisele, Kurt Schmalz
  • Patent number: 6719536
    Abstract: Vacuum generator comprising an ejector nozzle which is connected to a compressed-air supply via a compressed-air line, and with a first valve for opening and closing the compressed-air line, wherein a second electrical valve is connected to the suction line of the ejector which is open in the currentless state to connect a pneumatic vacuum switch, circuited in parallel with the first valve, to the suction line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele
  • Patent number: 6652014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum grip system (10) for gripping at least one object (11a). The vacuum grip system (10) has a base unit (18) and at least two suction units (19, 20) affixed thereto, disposed at right angles to one another, and each having at least one suction gripper (21, 22). At least one of the suction units (19, 20) grasps the object or objects (11a) to be gripped from above, and at least one of the suction units (19,20) grasps the object or objects (11a) from one side. In order to provide The vacuum grip system (10) having maximum flexibility, it is proposed to affix the suction units (19, 20) to the base unit (18) such that, in order to grip the object (11a), the distance between the upper suction unit (19) and the lateral suction unit (20) may be varied. It is further proposed that the vacuum grip system (10) have a mechanical undergripper (25) upon which the gripped object (11a) may be laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignees: J. Schmalz GmbH, Inos Automationssoftware GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Thomas Graf, Charalambos Tassakos, Jens Schick
  • Publication number: 20030201593
    Abstract: A block suction apparatus for fixing plate-shaped work pieces on a fixing beam or fixing table using under-pressure has at least one support surface provided with a sealing plate having a sealing lip about its periphery. The sealing lip delimits a suction chamber and least one supporting element is provided within the suction chamber. At least one additional supporting element is also provided and is located in the direct vicinity of the sealing lip. Sagging of sections of a plate being lifted by the apparatus which project past the block suction apparatus is thereby reduced and the edge of the plate can therefore be processed with greater accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Ralf Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20030188790
    Abstract: The invention concerns an underpressure valve with a multi-part housing and a disc-like closing body which has at least one opening, and with an opening-free section disposed in alignment with the flow channel of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Gernot Schmierer, Thomas Eisele, Daniel Heine, Dieter Geissler, Leonhard Harter, Daniel Grozinger
  • Publication number: 20030164620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum handling device with a suction box (12), a vacuum blower (22), a handling device (16) and a suction unit (20) obturating the suction box and consisting of a suction plate (26) and a suction pad (30). The inventive handling device is further characterized in that the suction unit is provided with suction openings (36) that have a certain flow resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Dieter Geissler
  • Patent number: 6547228
    Abstract: A holding device for work pieces to be machined, with a fixture and a vacuum holding block which can be set on the fixture, where an automatic or remotely-controllable mechanical locking device, for holding the vacuum holding block in position on the fixture is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Ralf Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20030038491
    Abstract: Under pressure handling device comprising an under pressure generator, a means for controlling the under pressure and several grippers which engage on a work piece to be handled, wherein each gripper is provided with a means for controlling the under pressure, a sensor for detecting state variables on said gripper and an evaluation electronics to which the means for controlling the under pressure and the sensor are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Gernot Schmierer
  • Patent number: 6502877
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper system which can be secured to a hand of a robot and has at least two mutually independent gripper elements; each gripper element is provided with at least one force sensor for ascertaining a force in a predetermined direction. With this gripper system, it is possible to grasp components more reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Schick, Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Thomas Eisele
  • Publication number: 20020155005
    Abstract: Vacuum generator comprising an ejector nozzle which is connected to a compressed-air supply via a compressed-air line, and with a first valve for opening and closing the compressed-air line, wherein a second electrical valve is connected to the suction line of the ejector which is open in the currentless state to connect a pneumatic vacuum switch, circuited in parallel with the first valve, to the suction line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Thomas Eisele