Workpiece attracting device

• US 5,879,040 A
• Filed: 12/03/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Masayoshi, Nagai, Shigekazu
• Primary Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEAN J
• Application Number:
  US08/984,168
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 294/64.1-65, 901/40, 414/627, 414/737, 414/752, 269/21, 269/22, 271/90, 271/91, 271/107
• US Class Current: 294/65
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/11 Vacuum

Abstract

A workpiece attracting device for attracting a workpiece having a curved surface has planar first and second housings securely coupled to each other by fasteners, and a suction pad made of a synthetic resin material and having a flange sandwiched between the first and second housings, and a bellows disposed in a hole defined in one of the first and second housings, the bellows being elastically deformable against the curved surface of the workpiece.

Claims

1. A workpiece attracting device for attracting a workpiece having a curved surface, comprising:

planar first and second housings securely coupled to each other by a plurality of fasteners, one of said first and second housings having a hole defined therein, said fasteners being spaced from and disposed outside of said hole; and

a suction pad made of a synthetic resin material, said suction pad further comprising a flange sandwiched between said first and second housings and a bellows disposed in said hole defined in one of said first and second housings, said bellows being elastically deformable when said suction pad is brought into contact with the curved surface of the workpiece;

one of said first and second housings having a suction passage for introducing a fluid under vacuum into said suction pad for attracting and holding the workpiece while said suction pad is being held against the curved surface.

2. A workpiece attracting device according to claim 1, wherein said bellows comprises a plurality of ridges and a plurality of grooves alternating therewith.

3. A workpiece attracting device according to claim 1, wherein said synthetic resin material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. A workpiece attracting device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housings are made of a synthetic resin material.

5. A workpiece attracting device for attracting a workpiece having a curved surface, comprising:

planar first and second housings securely coupled to each other by fasteners;

a suction pad made of a synthetic resin material, said suction pad further comprising a flange sandwiched between said first and second housings and a bellows disposed in a hole defined in one of said first and second housings, said bellows being elastically deformable when said suction pad is brought into contact with the curved surface of the workpiece; and

a seal disposed near said flange and hermetically sealing said flange sandwiched between said first and second housings;

one of said first and second housings having a suction passage for introducing a fluid under vacuum into said suction pad for attracting and holding the workpiece while said suction pad is being held against the curved surface.

6. A workpiece attracting device for attracting a workpiece having a curved surface, comprising:

planar first and second housings securely coupled to each other by fasteners; and

a plurality of substantially identical suction pads, each of said suction pads being made of a synthetic resin material, each of said suction pads further comprising a flange sandwiched between said first and second housings and a bellows disposed in a hole defined in one of said first and second housings, said bellows being elastically deformable when said suction pads are brought into contact with the curved surface of the workpiece;

one of said first and second housings having a suction passage for introducing a fluid under vacuum into said suction pad for attracting and holding the workpiece while said suction pad is being held against the curved surface,

wherein said suction pads are positioned in a pattern depending on one of the curvature of said curved surface of the workpiece and the weight of the workpiece.