Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Schmalz
Wolfgang 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: 6502877Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Jens Schick, Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Thomas Eisele
-
Patent number: 6367855Abstract: Vacuum manipulation apparatus includes a lifting hose coupled to a vacuum-generating unit. The lifting hose incorporates a suction gripping device having a suction end adapted for placement against an object to be grasped and lifted. The device includes a flow opening plate adapted to be opened for preventing an abrupt rise of the gripping device upon unintentional release of the grasped object against gravitational forces. In a non-grasping mode, a retractable, spring-loaded push rod extends from the suction end of the device. The push rod retracts whenever the suction gripping device engages a grasped object. A blocking arm attached to the push rod engages the flow opening plate to hold the plate normally closed during the grasping mode. When suction is broken between the grasped object and the suction end of the gripping device, the push rod extends from the device, however, opening the flow opening plate to admit airflow.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Thomas Eisele
-
Patent number: 6364299Abstract: A vacuum holding apparatus with at least one base and a suction unit supported by the base, on which the workpiece to be held can be placed and is vacuum-held by the suction unit, wherein the suction unit has a first gripping surface on the side facing the workpiece, and a second gripping surface on the side facing the base wherein the suction unit is provided with at least one mechanical holding mechanism for attachment to the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Thomas Eisele, Ralf Stockburger
-
Patent number: 6302387Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum tightening system comprising a supporting base and a modular suction device for tightening a work piece. According to the invention, the modular suction device and the work piece can be tightened by means of a vacuum circuit in which the vacuum pressure is increased for tightening the work piece.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbH.Inventors: Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Ralf Stockburger
-
Patent number: 6168220Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum manipulation device having a lifter hose, which can be connected to a vacuum-generating device, and a suction gripper device, which can be placed on an object to be manipulated and with which the object can be drawn up by suction and lifted by contracting the lifter hose, the suction gripper device has a prestressed regulating member on its suction side, which is actuated by placing the suction gripper device on the object and which thereby unblocks a flow cross-section, so that the object can be drawn up by suction. To prevent the abrupt upward acceleration of the suction gripper device, the regulating member can be arrested in its actuated position, so that in case of the release of a drawn-up object from the suction side of the suction gripper device the flow cross-section is not again blocked, and in this way the abrupt upward acceleration of the suction gripper device is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz
-
Patent number: 6155796Abstract: The present invention relates to an ejector for generating negative pressure having a pressure connection discharging into a propellant nozzle, and having a suction connection which discharges via a suction conduit into a receiver nozzle. The propellant nozzle and the receiver nozzle are provided in a suction valve with a first blocking piston for the propellant nozzle. A work conduit communicating with the pressure connection and a control conduit communicating with the pressure connection are provided and a blow conduit discharging via a blow valve into the suction connection communicates with a second blocking piston, and the piston position of the second blocking piston of the blow valve being triggerable via the control conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Hans Dittmann
-
Patent number: 6039530Abstract: A vacuum manipulation device with a lifter hose, which can be connected to a vacuum-generating device, and with a suction gripper device, which can be placed on an object to be manipulated, by means of which the object can be drawn-up and, by contracting the lifter hose, can be lifted. In order to prevent the suction gripper device from snapping upward in case of an unintentional release of a drawn-up object, the manipulation device features a weight-actuable regulating element which, under the effect of the weight of an object drawn by suction against the suction side of the suction gripper device, blocks a flow cross section into the interior of the lifter hose, and unblocks it in the unoccupied state of the suction gripper device.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz, Thomas Eisele
-
Patent number: 5431469Abstract: A vacuum lift device comprising a lift tube which is able to contract and expand in an upward and downward direction, and a lift tube expansion control valve controlling the opening areas of the atmospheric openings of the lift tube. A hovering control valve controlling the flow area between the second atmospheric opening and the interior of the lift tube is provided. The lift tube expansion control valve is normally positioned at a position such that is completely covers the first atmospheric opening, and the second atmospheric opening is open to the outside space. At this time, the level of vacuum in the lift tube is adjusted by the hovering control valve so that an object to be lifted is maintained at a desired height.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1993Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Kito, J. Schmalz GmbHInventors: Masayuki Ohno, Takayoshi Nakamura, Hiroshi Yamada, Kurt Schmalz, Wolfgang Schmalz
-
Patent number: 3954900Abstract: High quality coatings and the like are formed from dispersions in a reactive liquid of finely divided solid isocyanated polyester resin having isocyanate groups part of which are masked but become unmasked upon heating and then react with the liquid. The liquid is essentially one or more highly etherified methylolated aminotriazine in which some of etherifying is with alkoxyethyl groups that provide relatively low viscosity and good reactivity.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1975Date of Patent: May 4, 1976Assignee: Cassella Farbwerke Mainkur AtiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Schmalz, Walter Michel, Manfred Schon