MOUNTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VALIDATABLE FIXING

Abstract

A mounting device for fastening a component, such as in particular a fixture, at a defined location has a base body having a holder or receptacle for the component and a suction device for retaining the component held in the holder at the defined location. In addition, the mounting device contains a pressing device to press the component held in the holder or receptacle to the defined location. A method for the validatable fixation of a component, such as in particular a fixture or bracket, at a defined location is also provided.

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. A mounting device for fastening a component, a fixture or a bracket at a defined location, comprising: a base body having a holder or receptacle for the component; a suction device to hold the component held in the holder or receptacle at the defined location; and a pressing device to press the component held in the holder or receptacle to the defined location.

35. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the defined location is within a cavity of a packaging.

36. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein at least one height stop is arranged on the base body in order to position base body at a certain height.

37. The mounting device according to claim 36, wherein the height stop has a hook for defining at least one hook position of the height stop relative to the base body.

38. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the holder has a pressure element for holding the component in the holder with a defined force.

39. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the holder has a suction element for holding the component in the holder with a defined force.

40. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the holder has a holder area, a dimension of which is adjustable, by latching or detents.

41. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the holder and/or the base body are made of plastic or aluminium.

42. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the suction device comprises at least one flat vacuum suction cup.

43. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the suction device comprises several flat vacuum suction cups, a position of which relative to the base body can be adjusted, by latching or detents, in defined positions.

44. The mounting device according to claim 42, wherein the suction device comprises a flat vacuum suction cup which is connected to the base body via a joint.

45. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the suction device and/or the pressing device are pneumatically operable.

46. The mounting device according to claim 34, further comprising a controller.

47. The mounting device according to claim 46, wherein the suction device and/or the pressing device are in communication with the controller for automatically adjusting pressure and/or time duration.

48. The mounting device according to claim 46, further comprising at least one trigger device communicating with the controller.

49. The mounting device according to claim 48, wherein the trigger device (33) comprises a contact switch (32).

50. The mounting device according to claim 46, wherein the controller forms a mobile unit with the base body.

51. The mounting device according to claim 46, wherein the controller has a display.

52. The mounting device according to claim 34, further comprising only one pressure line as a supply line for the suction device and the pressing device.

53. The mounting device according to claim 34, further comprising a portable pressure vessel, the suction device and/or the pressing device being connected to the portable pressure vessel.

54. The mounting device according to claim 34, further comprising an applicator device for applying an adhesive to the component or to the defined location.

55. The mounting device according to claim 54, further comprising a controller, the applicator device being in communication with the controller to automatically adjust pressure and/or time duration.

56. The mounting device according to claim 55, wherein the applicator device comprises a distribution mechanism.

57. The mounting device according to claim 55, wherein the applicator device is arranged next to the holder.

58. The mounting device according to claim 55, wherein the applicator device is pneumatically operated.

59. The mounting device according to claim 34, further comprising a handle.

60. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the mounting device is configured as a mobile portable unit with a pressure generator.

61. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the mounting device is configured as a mobile portable unit with a mobile power supply, a battery or an accumulator.

62. A method for validatable fixing of a component, a fixture or a bracket at a defined location, comprising: inserting the component, fixture or bracket into a holder in a base body; applying an adhesive to the component, fixture or bracket before or after the insertion of the component, fixture or bracket; positioning the base body at the defined location and holding the base body at the location by a suction device in such a way that the component, fixture or bracket is fixed at a distance from the defined location; moving the holder with the component, fixture or bracket relative to the base body to the defined location by a pneumatic device; pulling the holder off the component, fixture or bracket; and removing the base body from the component, fixture or bracket.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein: the step of positioning the base body at the location by the suction device is performed; then the step of moving the holder with the component, fixture or bracket to the defined location by the pneumatic device is performed; then a step of pressing the component, fixture or bracket to the location with a pressing device is performed; then the step of pulling the holder off the component, fixture or bracket is performed; and after a defined time period, a pressure of the pressing device on the component is released and then a suction pressure of the suction device is released.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein the suction pressure of the suction device is automatically released in a time-controlled manner.

65. The method according to claim 63, wherein the suction pressure of the suction device is at least so strong that it holds the base body at the defined location even at maximum pressure of the pressing device.

66. The method according to claim 62, wherein the base body is positioned at the defined location with a height stop.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The mounting device and the inventive method are described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. It shows

[0042] FIG. 1 is a top view of a mounting device;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a side view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 3 is an underside view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a side view from below of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a transparent blister with several components attached to its inside;

[0047] FIG. 6 is an underside view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1 with an adhesive on a component;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a partial view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 1 with a spacer on a blister;

[0049] FIG. 8 is a top view of the underside of a mounting device with connecting hoses; and

[0050] FIG. 9 is a view of a mounting device with connecting hoses on a blister.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a mounting device 1 for fastening a component 2 at a defined location 3 of a packaging 4. Component 2 is a fixture or bracket 5, which is designed as a rectangular tube and in which a belt or band 6 can be arranged.

[0052] The packaging 4 shown in FIG. 5 is a blister with a cavity 7 in which products can be transported that must be fixed in packaging 4 during transport. For this purpose, lashing eyes/lugs and Velcro strips can be used as a component 5. These components are fastened reproducibly and securely to the inner wall in cavity 7 of packaging 4 with mounting device 1.

[0053] For this purpose, the mounting device 1 has a base body 8 with a holder or receptacle 9 for the component 2.

[0054] A suction device 10 serves to hold the component 2 held in the holder or receptacle 9 with the entire mounting device 1 at the defined location 3 of the packaging 4.

[0055] A pressing device 11 serves to press the component 2 held in the holder or receptacle 9 to the defined location 3.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows that the base body 8 has a height stop 12. This makes it possible to position the base body 8 by hooking the height stop 12 to an upper edge 13 of the packaging 4, which makes it easy to position the base body 8 at a defined distance from the edge 13.

[0057] In order to vary the position of the base body 8 to the upper edge 13, the height stop 12 has a hook 14, so that a position of the height stop 12 relative to the base body 8 can be noticeably determined.

[0058] The component 2 must be held in the holder or receptacle 9 to guide it to the defined location 3 on the packaging 4, and it must be detachable from the base body 8 to remain adhered to the packaging 4 when the mounting device 1 is detached from the packaging 4. For this purpose, the holder or receptacle 9 has a pressure element 15, which is designed as a fit to hold the component 2 with a defined force in the holder or receptacle 9.

[0059] In addition, a suction element 16 is provided, which holds component 2 in holder 9 with a suction force.

[0060] The width of the holder 9 can be adjusted by means of a sliding element which is hooked to the base body 1, so that the width of a holding area 18 for component 2 can be adjusted.

[0061] Since the entire mounting device should be stable and easy to handle, its individual parts are essentially made of plastic or aluminium.

[0062] The suction device 10 consists of four flat vacuum suction cups 19, 20, 21 and 22, whose position relative to the base body 8 can be adjusted in defined positions by means of spacers 23 and 24.

[0063] The entire suction device 10 or the individual flat vacuum suction cups 19, 20, 21 and 22 can also be connected to the base body 8 via a joint (not shown).

[0064] The flat vacuum suction cups 19, 20, 21 and 22 each have pneumatic connections 25, 26, 27 and 28, which are connected to an underpressure device (not shown) via lines 29. This means that the suction device can be operated pneumatically.

[0065] The base body 8 of the mounting device 1 has a handle 30 in which a controller 31 is located, which is in connection with the suction device 10 and the pressing device 11 to adjust pressure and duration at the suction device and the pressing device.

[0066] A contact switch 32 is used to activate a trigger device 33, which is connected to the controller 31. The result is that the controller 31 and the base body 8 form a mobile unit 34 which is connected to pneumatic devices (not shown) via the line 29 and is easily portable, e.g. in cavity 7 of a packaging 4, and can be easily positioned at a defined location.

[0067] A display 35 shows on the handle 30 the status of the mounting device 1 set by the controller 31.

[0068] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the mounting device is connected to a pneumatic device via several pressure lines. According to an embodiment not shown, the suction device 10 and the pressing device 11 are connected to a pneumatic device only via a single pressure line as supply line.

[0069] An embodiment, also not shown, provides that the suction device 10 and/or the pressing device 11 are connected to a portable pressure vessel (not shown).

[0070] In the embodiment shown according to FIG. 6, an adhesive 36 is applied to component 2 as line 37. However, adhesive 36 can also be sprayed on or component 2 already has an adhesive surface. In an embodiment not shown, an applicator device (not shown) is provided to apply adhesive 36 to component 2 or the defined location 3. This applicator device can then be connected to the controller 31 to automatically adjust the pressure or duration of the adhesive applicator. This applicator device can be equipped with a nozzle (not shown) as a distribution mechanism and can, for example, be located next to holder or receptacle 9.

[0071] It is advantageous, if this applicator device can be operated pneumatically.

[0072] When using such a mounting device 1, component 2 is first positioned in holder or receptacle 9 and held there. Then an adhesive 36 is applied to component 2. Then the base body 8 is positioned with component 2 at the defined location 3 and held precisely in place with the suction device. Then the holder or receptacle 9 with component 2 is moved relative to the base body to the defined location 3. Afterwards, the component 2 located in the holder 9 is moved by means of a pneumatic device (not shown) relative to the base body to the defined location 3 so that the adhesive touches the packaging 4. Then, the holder 9 is pulled off component 2 and the base body 8 is removed from component 2.

[0073] The suction device 10 makes it possible to fix the base body 8 at location 3 and the pressing device 11 makes it possible to press the component 2 at location 3 until the adhesive 36 sets. After the holder 9 has already been pulled off the component 2, the pressure of the pressing device 11 on the component can be released after a defined time period and as an ultimate step the suction pressure of the suction device 10 is released.

[0074] The entire operation can be automatically controlled by the Controller 31. Preferably, care is taken to ensure that the suction pressure of the suction device 10 is at least strong enough to keep the base body 8 at the defined position even at maximum pressure of the pressing device 11.