Clamping cartridge for panel-type products
A clamping cartridge for releasably clamping a plurality of panel-type articles in generally parallel spaced-apart manner comprising: a frame; clamping means spaced-apart along the frame, said clamping means being generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing and being normally biased towards a closed position; actuation means operable in association with said clamping means for opening and closing said clamping means in unison; and a slide associated with each of said clamping means.
The invention relates to a clamping apparatus for holding and positioning a plurality of items and, more particularly, a clamping cartridge for releasably clamping a plurality of generally planar objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are numerous instances where a series of sheet or panel-type products need be transported and/or stored. When all such items are identical, there is usually no need to be concerned over loading and unloading sequences. However, when the items are not identical, any sequenced access must be predetermined which usually entails predetermined loading strategies and, furthermore, random access may simply not be possible. Moreover, where the items vary in thickness, group clamping typically requires individual (i.e. time-consuming) adjustment of respective clamping mechanisms.
Existing solutions are either cumbersome, inefficient and/or unable to address all of the user-defined requirements. These requirements and the challenges were, mainly, the following: 1) the ability to load a variety of panel sizes and thicknesses within a given packaging unit, for example in a custom metal rack; 2) the ability to access, remove or replace any one or all panels individually, without affecting the rest of the panels; 3) the ability to grip and hold the parts (panels) during transport and storage; 4) user-friendly operating sequences; 5) reliability and ease of maintenance; and 6) cost effectiveness.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,946,453 describes a supporting rack for automobile windshields having a plurality of pairs of posts, half of which are fixed while the other half are associated with a movable frame so as to enable the movable posts to be moved in unison against the fixed posts to provide a clamping action therebetween. U.S. Pat. No. 2,953,253 illustrates a windshield carrier having a pair of fixed parallel slotted frames for receiving windshields therein. Clamping is effected either by an associated pair of movable parallel frames having corresponding slots therein (
U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,251 discloses a windshield carrier having a plurality of posts in two rows. A rotatable friction element is disposed atop each post which can be rotated into engagement with the surface of a windshield disposed between adjacent posts. The friction elements are individually rotatable. This device has the capacity to accommodate a plurality of planar articles of variable thicknesses, but each clamping mechanism must be operated independently.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,452 shows a supporting rack for breakable articles comprising a plurality of spaced apart posts in parallel rows. An inflatable tube is provided on the exterior of each post and, thus, between adjacent posts. The tube is inflatable to contact the articles disposed between the posts in a secure and safe fashion. This apparatus has the capacity to accommodate a plurality of planar articles of variable thicknesses and is operable to close and release all clamps in unison. However, the apparatus requires the hydraulic/pneumatic system to be operating/pressurized at all times when clamping is required. Thus, if the system fails, the clamping function ceases.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,936 illustrates a device for holding flat objects, such as circuit boards, wherein a plurality of slots are provided in a tray having cooperating blocks with ridges moveable relative thereto. In order to accommodate a variety of thicknesses of boards, resilient cushions are disposed between the ridges which compress to the extent necessary. The device is spring biased in the open position. This device has the capacity to accommodate a plurality of planar articles of variable thicknesses and is operable to close and release all clamps in unison. Like with U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,452, this apparatus is open in its relaxed state.
Applicant's United States Patent Application Publication US 2004/0245195 discloses one known solution to the short comings in the prior art and is incorporated herein by reference. A clamping cartridge which comprises a plurality of clamping mechanisms spaced apart on a frame or chassis. The clamping mechanisms are generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing. The clamping mechanisms are of the type that comprise a pair of relatively movable jaws which are biased together. An actuator operable in association with the clamping mechanisms serves to open and close the jaws of the clamping mechanisms in unison. While the clamps are closeable in unison, they are individually self-adjusting so the extent of closure for each clamp is dependent on the thickness or presence of an inserted article. The clamping cartridges are useful in a variety of applications requiring clamping of one or more articles in a side-by-side relationship. One such application is a transportation/storage rack which includes a plurality of aligned horizontal and vertical clamping cartridges for clamping the edges of glass panels. This prior art clamping cartridge is described in detail below and is hereinafter referred to as “Applicant's Prior Art Cartridge”.
In the Applicant's Prior Art Cartridge, debris can become lodged in and around the cam wheels and cause jamming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a clamping cartridge for releasably clamping a plurality of panel-type articles in generally parallel spaced-apart manner comprising: a frame; clamping means spaced-apart along the frame, said clamping means being generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing and being normally biased towards a closed position; actuation means operable in association with said clamping means for opening and closing said clamping means in unison; and a slide associated with each of said clamping means.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a clamp for a clamping cartridge comprising a base and two arms forming a jaw with the ends of said arms biased toward each other and boots on said ends.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a retainer for a clamping cartridge comprising: a base; a tooth extending from one side of the retainer, said tooth including a top inclined surface, a back wall and two side walls, and a flange.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a clamping cartridge for releasably clamping a plurality of panel-type articles in generally parallel spaced-apart manner comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart clamps, said clamps being generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing and each having a pair of relatively movable jaws; actuation means operable in association with said clamps for causing the jaws of all said clamps to move in unison relative to one another, said actuation means comprising a cam operable between the jaws of each clamp whereby movement of the cam causes the relative movement of said jaws; said jaws being normally biased so as to be individually self-adjusting to the presence of an edge of one or more panel-type articles placed therebetween; slide means associated with said clamps.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Referring to
The clamping cartridge 10 also includes means to actuate (open/close) the clamps 12 which preferably comprises a series of rotatable cam wheels 24, each of which having a cam surface 26 in contact with the lower end 22 of a clamp arm 16. The cam wheels 24 are disposed on a rotatable cam shaft 28. Advantageously, the cam wheels 24 can be provided with a cam surface 26 on each side, allowing the cam wheels 24 to be interdigitated between adjacent arms 22a of adjacent clamps 12. Accordingly, for any number N of clamps 12, only N+1 cam wheels 24 are required.
The cam shaft 28 includes an extension 30 which can be used to rotate the cam shaft 28 and thus cam wheels 24. The extension 30 may be provided with means to facilitate rotation of the cam shaft 28, such as a knob or handle, or may include a lug which can be engaged by a wrench or similar tool. In the embodiment shown in
The cam surface 26 of the cam wheels 24 is axially and rotationally inclined such that by rotating the cam wheels 24, the point of contact with the lower end 22 of clamp arm 16 effectively translates axially. The cam surface 26 can be that which effectively results from an oblique cutting of a circular cylinder (i.e. a generally elliptical surface) as is the case in the preferred embodiment or could be a helical surface spiraling oppositely from both ends of the cam wheel (not shown).
As shown in particular in
Referring to
A transverse chamfer 36 may be provided at the thickest section 34 in which the respective lower ends 22 of clamping arms 16 will center and seat when the clamps 12′ reach their fully open position. This allows the clamps to “lock” at or near their fully open position to permit items to be inserted into the clamps 12′ or removed therefrom. The chamfer also permits closer spacing of the clamps 12, 12′ and serves to reduce pressure on the cam wheels 24.
Details of the components of the clamping cartridge 10 are shown in
The spring clips 18 are fastened to the frame 14 by any conventional means. In embodiment shown, and pair of holes 44 are provided in the bight 42 while corresponding holes 44 are provided in frame 14 (see
The spring clips 18 are provided with a pair of slots 50 which correspond generally with pairs of slots 52 in frame 14 (see
The frame 14 is shown in detail in
The cam wheel 24 is shown in detail in
Preferably, the cam wheels 24 are individual and identical for greater manufacturing efficiency and flexibility. Depending on the length of bushing 70, a cam wheel 24 may abut the bushing 70 of an adjacent cam wheel 24 (as shown in
Lastly, the cam shaft 28 is detailed in
Referring to
The individual biasing of the clamps 12 can be achieved in a number of ways. The embodiments shown herein employ a clip-type spring although this is not to be considered limiting. The positioning of the spring clip 18 in the aforementioned embodiments is shown to be above the frame 14. However, depending on the nature of the spring or biasing mechanism being used, positioning can be varied just so long as the function remains.
Instead of having the jaws of the clamp used to clamp the article and the clamping arms (levers) bearing on the camming surface of the cam wheels, the clamps can be reversed such that the jaws engage the opposed camming surfaces of the cam wheel and the articles are then clamped between adjacent clamping arms of adjacent clamps as shown in the alternate embodiment illustrated in
The outermost clamps 124a, 124b as shown in
Referring to
The components of the clamping cartridge 211 are referenced with numerals 201 through 210, details of which are shown in
Clamping cartridge 211 comprises a plurality of spaced apart clamping mechanisms 208 (see
For opening the jaws 216 of the clamps 208, a movable slotted guide 213 is provided through which the jaws 216 of the clamps 208 extend. Preferably, the guide 213 is constructed of a channel 206 (see
A camming mechanism is employed to control the movement of the slotted guide 213 relative to the frame 201. One or more (two as shown in the drawings) cam housings 202 (see
The cam shaft 204 includes an extension 230 which can be used to rotate the cam shaft 204 and thus cam wheels 205. The extension 230 may be provided with means to facilitate rotation of the cam shaft 204, such as a handle 210 (see
For ease of manufacture, the cams 205 are circular, but are mounted via off-centre aperture 221 with respect to the cam shaft 204. By rotating the cam shaft 204, the cams 205 rotate and urge their cam surface 223 against the cam housing 202, causing the housing 202 to move relative to the frame 201, hence the reason for slots 217 in the housings 202. Depending on friction between the contacting components, the rotational position may be self-maintaining, but preferably, low friction components are utilized so that the biasing force of the clamps 208 against the slots 215 is sufficient to always urge the clamping cartridge into its closed position.
Thus, as with the embodiments illustrated in
Referring to
Since each of the clamps 208 are individually biased toward a closed position, the clamps 208 will naturally self-adjust to the thickness of the retained panel(s) 92. Accordingly, the clamping cartridge 211 can accommodate a series of different panels comprising panels of different thicknesses and/or a varying number of panels of same or different thickness within each clamp 208. This will permit variability in loading or unloading (i.e. random access) and typo-dimensional sequencing for products retained within the clamping cartridge 211. When release or removal of one or more panels 92 is desired, the cam shaft 204 is rotated in the same manner as aforesaid to open the clamps 208 in unison. When the desired panels have been removed, the cam shaft 204 can be actuated again to close clamps 208 against the remaining panels 92, if any.
The clamping cartridges 10, 120, 211 can be used in a variety of storage and/or packaging systems. The cartridges can be used in a variety of containers like hard (plastic) bins, totes, wooden and even paper (cardboard) structures, as well as on carts, cars, dollies, elevators, conveyors, or in fixed applications (on walls, on floors, on structures of any kind). In one such application shown in
When any one of the glass panels 305 is to be removed, the clamping cartridges 10a, 10b are opened and the panels 305 can be removed as desired. Although when the clamping cartridges 10a, 10b are opened, all of the clamping mechanisms release, the edges 304a, 304b of glass panels 305 are still bounded by the clamping arms 16 (jaws) and thus the panels 305 should remain in place until removed. However, it may be desirable to incline the rack 300 to take advantage of gravity to ensure the panels 305 stay in the rack 300 when the clamping cartridges 10a, 10b are opened. In the embodiment shown in
The rack 300 may also include separate seating/supporting devices 306 (shown best in
Depending on the arrangement of clamping cartridges 10 and seat/supports 306 in a given rack 300, it may be possible to use the rack 300 to store or transport not only a plurality of identical articles, but also differing articles. As can be seen in
The seat/supports 306 can be made of any appropriate material bearing in mind the articles expected to be transported or stored in the rack 300. As shown, the seat/supports 306 are made from an extruded plastics material.
Advantageously, the bottom and side supports 303a, 303b can comprise a plurality of slats 312 on which the clamping cartridges and seat/supports 306 are mounted. By having the slats 312 moveable/adjustable with respect to the frame 302 and hence the spacing between adjacent clamps, the rack 300 can readily be adapted to accommodate a wide variety of articles.
Depending on the number of clamping cartridges employed in any one rack and their accessibility, it may be advantageous to provide a linkage mechanism (not shown) to operate them simultaneously or to utilize power-driven shafts with an associated control unit (not shown) to selectively rotate the shafts individually or simultaneously.
Since the clamping cartridges 10, 120, 211 function in the same manner, their use in a rack 300 would be the same as explained above with clamping cartridge 10.
The Applicant has made certain improvements to the Applicant's Prior Art Cartridge which are described below and which comprise the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 30 to 42, an improved centre cam clamping cartridge indicated generally at 400 according to the invention can be used in the Applicant's Prior Art Cartridge in place of the clamping cartridge 10. The clamping cartridge 400 comprises a plurality of clamps indicated generally at 402 arranged on a frame 404. Only a portion of the clamping cartridge 400 is shown. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of clamps 402 can be varied according to specific applications.
The clamps 402 are formed of a single piece of material and have a base 406 and two arms 408. The base 406 includes a concave central section 408 and arcuate end sections 410 which extend into arms 408. The arms 408 in the normal closed position are spring biased towards each other and contact each other at the upper ends 411 of the arms in a jaw-like fashion due to the resiliency of the arms 408. Preferably, the clamp 402 is made from relatively stiff materials, such as stamped steel.
The clamping cartridge 400 also includes means to open and close the clamps 402 which comprises a series of rotatable cam wheels 412 inside the clamps 402. The cam wheels 412 are disposed on a rotatable cam shaft 416. One cam wheel 412 is provided for each clamp 402.
Each cam wheel 412 has an outer circular configuration and includes a hexagonal aperture 414 for receiving the cam shaft 416. The cam wheels 412 have a wedge-shaped side profile as shown in
The cam shaft 416 is hexagonal in cross-section and includes an extension 422. The extension may be provided with means (not shown) to rotate the cam shaft 422, such as a knob or handle.
The cam shaft 416 can also be used in place of the round shaft 28 described above with respect to the Applicant's prior Art Cartridge with appropriate modifications. Similarly, the round shaft 28 can be used in place of the hexagonal shaft 422 with appropriate modifications that will be evident to those skilled in the art.
Referring to
A transverse chamfer similar to the chamfer 34 in the Applicant's Prior Art Cartridge may be provided at the thickest section 420 to allow the clamps 412 to “hold” at or near their fully open position to permit items to be inserted into the clamps 402 or removed therefrom.
FIGS. 34 to 36 show one of the clamps 402. The clamp 402 has a hole 426 in each arm 408 for receiving the shaft 416. The upper ends 416 each include outer teeth 428 formed by a slot 430 and a pair of inner teeth 432 formed by a cut out well 434 in the centre of the upper end 416.
The teeth 428 and 432 are used to retain a fitted boot 436 on the upper ends 411. The boot 436 reduces possible damage to a product being clamped and increases the gripping capability of the clamps 402.
Referring to
The frame 404 is shown in
Referring to FIGS. 40 to 42, the clamps 402 are affixed to the frame 404 by two elongated retainers indicated generally at 454 made of suitably rigid material such as molded plastic. One of the retainers 454 is shown in
The teeth 456 include a back wall 466 and two side walls 468. The side walls 468 are triangular in side profile and have an inner vertical surface 470, an outer inclined surface (also referenced by 468) and a top inclined surfaces 472.
The bottom of the teeth 456 is formed by a flange 459 which extends from one side of the retainer 454. The bottom surface 474 of the flange 459 is concave.
The concave central section 408 of each clamp 402 nest in the concave bottom surfaces 474 of the two teeth 456 which retain the clamps 402 on the frame 404 by overlapping sections of the section 408 from both sides of the clamp 402.
Referring to
Pieces sometimes break off of the materials inserted into the clamps 12 of the Applicant's Prior Art Cartridge and fall onto the cam wheels 24. Such debris can interfere with the operation of the cam wheels 24.
In the present invention, the teeth 456 and in particular the inclined surfaces 472 act as slides to deflect debris falling onto the cam wheels 412 away from the cam wheels 412. Debris falling into a cam wheel 412 slides down the ramps 472 and away from the cam wheels 412.
While the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims
1. A clamping cartridge for releasably clamping a plurality of panel-type articles in generally parallel spaced-apart manner comprising:
- a frame;
- clamping means spaced-apart along the frame, said clamping means being generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing and being normally biased towards a closed position;
- actuation means operable in association with said clamping means for opening and closing said clamping means in unison; and
- a slide associated with each of said clamping means.
2. The clamping cartridge of claim 1, wherein said clamping means include one or more clamps; said actuation means includes cam means associated with said clamping means.
3. The clamping cartridge of claim 2, wherein said actuation means further includes a shaft; said cam means includes a cam wheel having a hole therethrough for receiving said shaft to mount said cam wheel on said shaft, and said clamping means includes a clamp with two arms, each having a hole therethrough for receiving said shaft; wherein said cam wheel is situated between said arms or said clamp.
4. The clamping cartridge of claim 3, wherein said shaft is hexagonal in cross section and said hole in said cam wheel is correspondingly hexagonal in profile and whereby rotation of said shaft imparts a corresponding rotation to said cam wheel to open or close said clamp.
5. The clamping cartridge of claim 3, wherein said slide is adjacent said cam wheel.
6. The clamping cartridge of claim 5, wherein said slide includes an inclined surface inclined downwardly away from said cam wheel.
7. The clamping cartridge of claim 3, further including boot means on the ends of said arms of said clamp.
8. A clamp for a clamping cartridge comprising:
- a base and two arms forming a jaw, wherein each of said arms include an end, wherein said ends of said arms are biased toward each other; and
- a boot on each of said ends.
9. The clamp of claim 8, wherein each said end of said arms include a retaining means for retaining said boot on said arm.
10. The clamp of claim 9, wherein said retaining means include teeth and said boot includes bridges which are engageable by said teeth to retain said boots on said arms.
11. The clamp of claim 10, wherein said boot includes two walls and wherein said walls are joined together by said bridges.
12. A clamp according to claim 10 wherein said teeth includes a pair of outer teeth formed by a slot cut out of the wall and a pair of inner teeth formed by a well.
13. A retainer for a clamping cartridge comprising:
- a base;
- a tooth extending from one side of the retainer, said tooth including a top inclined surface, a back wall and two side walls, and a flange.
14. The retainer of claim 13, wherein said clamping means includes a clamp including a base and two arms extending from said base, said tooth extends from said base between said arms of said clamp thereby securing said clamp.
15. A clamping cartridge for releasably clamping a plurality of panel-type articles in generally parallel spaced-apart manner comprising:
- a plurality of spaced-apart clamps, said clamps being generally oriented perpendicular to their direction of spacing and each having a pair of relatively movable jaws;
- actuation means operable in association with said clamps for causing the jaws of all said clamps to move in unison relative to one another, said actuation means comprising a cam operable between the jaws of each clamp whereby movement of the cam causes the relative movement of said jaws, wherein said jaws are normally biased so as to be individually self-adjusting to the presence of an edge of one or more panel-type articles placed therebetween; and
- slide means associated with said clamps.
16. The clamping cartridge of claim 15, wherein the cams are rotatable and have a cam surface engageable with a respective interior wall of said jaws of each clamp.
17. The clamping cartridge of claim 16, wherein said cam is tapered transversely with respect to an axis of said cam and said jaws are angled relative to the cam such that there is a relative overlap transverse to the axial direction between a wider side of the cam and the angled jaws, wherein when the cam is rotated, the wider side traces a circular path of rotation which intersects with the angled jaws of the clamp to force the jaws to open and to permit them to close as the cam is rotated.
18. The clamping cartridge of claim 17, wherein said cams are disposed on a rotatable cam shaft which is hexagonal in cross-section.
19. The clamping cartridge of claim 18, wherein the cam shaft projects though an aperture in said jaws of said clamps.
20. The clamping cartridge of claim 18, wherein an aperture is provided in said cam through which said cam shaft is insertable, said aperture having a shape generally corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cam shaft so as to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween and to allow said cams to be axially slidable along said cam shaft.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 13, 2006
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2007
Inventors: Randal Huszczo (Brantford), Marinus Martens (Ingersol), Thomas Pride (Dewitt, IA)
Application Number: 11/331,685
International Classification: A47F 7/16 (20060101);