Vacuum suction holder with release position locking structure

• US 20070257167A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Harald Richter
• Original Assignee: Harald Richter
• Inventors: Richter, Harald
• Application Number:
  US11/475,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20070257167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/205.800
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02

Abstract

In a vacuum suction holder comprising a suction housing having a base opening, a suction membrane extending across the base opening, a membrane operating mechanism including a shaft connected to the suction membrane and being movable together with the suction membrane between a release position in which the suction membrane extends flatly across the base opening and an operating position in which the suction membrane is pulled into the suction housing, the operating mechanism includes means for firmly forcing the suction membrane into the release position in which it extends flat across the suction housing base opening.

Claims

1. A vacuum suction holder comprising a suction housing (1) having a base opening, a suction membrane (2) extending across the suction housing (1) at the base opening, a membrane operating mechanism including a shaft (2′

) connected to the suction membrane (2) and being movable together with the suction membrane (2) between a release position, in which the suction membrane extends flatly across the base opening of the suction housing (1), and an operating position, in which the operating shaft (2′

) together with the suction membrane (2) is pulled into the suction housing (1), said operating mechanism including means for forcing the operating shaft 2′

together with the suction membrane (2) into the release position of the suction membrane (2) in which it extends flat across the suction housing opening.

2. A vacuum suction holder according to claim 1, including an operating lever (6) for actuating the operating shaft 2′

so as to move the operating shaft (2′

) together with the suction membrane (2) between the release and the operating positions thereof.

3. A vacuum suction holder according to claim 2, wherein the operating lever (6) is pivotally supported on the operating shaft (2′

) and includes a cam engaging the suction housing (1) for moving the operating shaft (2′

) together with the suction membrane (2) to its operating position.

4. A vacuum suction holder according to claim 3, wherein the operating shaft (2′

) is movably supported in a guide housing (4) provided with retaining brackets (8) and the operating lever (6) includes a locking cam (9) abutting the retaining brackets (8) for holding the operating shaft (2′

) and, together therewith, the suction membrane (2) in the release position thereof in which the suction membrane (2) extends flat across the suction housing opening.

5. A vacuum suction holder according to claim 4, wherein the locking cam (9) is provided with a flat surface area (9′

) where it abuts the retaining brackets (8) in the release position thereof for arresting the locking cam (9) and the operating lever (6) in the release position of the suction membrane (2).

6. A vacuum suction holder according to claim 4, wherein the operating lever (6) has forked ends with the forked ends being disposed at opposite sides of the guide housing (4), each of the forked ends including actuating cams (7) engaging the suction housing (1) for pulling the suction membrane (2) into the housing and locking cams (9) abutting the brackets (8) for forcing the suction membrane (2) firmly into its release position.

7. A vacuum suction holder according to claim 1, wherein a compression spring 10 is disposed in the guide housing (4) above the operating shaft (2′

) for biasing the operating shaft (2′

) toward the suction membrane (2).