Device for manipulating flat objects etc

Abstract

Device for manipulating a flat object (1), comprising a lifting hook (2) and a traverse (4) with suction cups (5), which are evacuated by a vacuum pump (6). The traverse is connected to the hook via a bearing structure (7), so that the traverse can be rotated (R) and be tilted (K). The vacuum pump tilts but does not co-rotate with the traverse and the object.

Claims

1. A device for manipulating a flat object, comprising: a lifting hook which is adapted to be able to be connected to a hoisting device, further comprising a suction cup frame, hereinafter referred to as traverse, provided with a number of suction cups, which can engage the flat object; wherein the connection with the flat object is established by creating a vacuum in the suction cups by means of a vacuum pump, which is part of the device; wherein the traverse is connected to the lifting hook in such a way, by means of a bearing structure, that the traverse can be rotated in the plane of the object to be manipulated, and also can be tilted in the transverse direction; wherein the bearing structure comprises a rotary bearing and a pivot bearing, which rotary bearing comprises an outer bearing member connected to the traverse and an inner bearing member, such that the traverse has a center of rotation; wherein the rotary bearing is positioned within the thickness of the traverse or in the space between the traverse and the surface of the object to be manipulated, during use of the device; wherein the pivot bearing is connected with the lower end of the lifting hook by means of a first bearing portion, wherein the pivot bearing has a center; wherein the pivot bearing is connected to or is part of the inner bearing member of the rotary bearing by means of a second bearing portion, which is tiltable relative to the first bearing portion, wherein the pivot bearing has a point of engagement with the rotary bearing; wherein the center of the pivot bearing is positioned at the center of rotation of the traverse; wherein the point of engagement is located inside the plane of the rotary bearing; and wherein by means of a mounting frame the vacuum pump is connected to the second bearing portion of the pivot bearing or with the inner bearing member of the rotary bearing, in such a way that, during use of the device, the vacuum pump co-tilts with the traverse and the object to be manipulated, but does not co-rotate with the traverse and the object to be manipulated.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the lifting hook is bent in the direction of the surface of the object to be manipulated, during use of the device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the lower end of the lifting hook and the upper end of the lifting hook are bent in the direction of the surface of the object to be manipulated, during use of the device.

Description

(1) The invention will now be further discussed by means of the following figure description.

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a CAD drawing of the same embodiment, in more detail.

(4) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a device for manipulating a flat object 1, comprising a (removable) lifting hook 2, which is adapted to be able to be connected to a hoisting device, for instance by means of a sling 3. The device further comprises a suction cup frame, hereinafter referred to as traverse 4, provided with a number of suction cups 5, which can engage on the said flat object 1, wherein the connection with the flat object is established by creating a vacuum (by evacuating) the suction cups 5 by means of a vacuum pump 6 which is also part of the device.

(5) The traverse 4 is connected to the lifting hook 2 via a bearing structure 7, in such a way, that the traverse 4 can be rotated (R) in the plane of the object 1 to be manipulated, and also can be tilted (K) in the transverse direction.

(6) The bearing structure 7 comprises a rotary bearing and a pivot (tilting) bearing. The rotary bearing comprises an outer bearing member 8 being connected to the traverse 4, and an inner bearing member 9. This rotary bearing 8/9 is positioned within the thickness a.sub.1 of the traverse 4 and/or in the space a.sub.2 between the traverse 4 and the (inner) surface 10 of the object to be manipulated 1, during use of the device.

(7) The pivot bearing is connected to the lower end 12 of the lifting hook 2 by means of a first bearing portion 11, and to the inner bearing member 9 of the rotary bearing 8/9 by means of a second (for example, shaft-like) bearing portion 13, which is tiltable with respect to the first bearing portion 11.

(8) The vacuum pump 6 is connected to the second bearing portion 13 of the pivot bearing by means of a mounting frame 14, and/or is connected to the inner bearing member 9 of the rotary bearing 8/9, such that during use of the device the vacuum pump 6 (and the batteries) tilts (K) congruent with the traverse 4 and with the object 1 to be manipulated, but does not co-rotate (R) with the traverse 4 and the object 1 to be manipulated.

(9) It is observed that hereinabove is assumed that the shaft-like bearing portion 13 is movably (tiltably bearingly) mounted within the first bearing portion 11 and immovably mounted onto the inner bearing member 9. Consequently, the portions 11 and 13 form the pivot bearing. In an alternative embodiment the first bearing portion 11 of the pivot bearing is provided with a shaft, which extends to both sides and which is immovably connected with (the remainder of) said first bearing portion 11. The outer ends of said shaft are movably (pivotably) mounted onto the inner bearing member 9. In that embodiment, the member 9 as shown in FIG. 1 acts as a (rotatable) inner bearing member for the rotary bearing, as well as a second bearing portion for the pivot bearing. Accordingly, the pivot bearing is formed by part 11 and part 9 (which then in fact constitutes a single part with part 13).

(10) The lower end 12 and, preferably, also the upper end 15 of the hoisting hook 2, are bent in the direction of (the surface 10 of) the object to be manipulated 1.

(11) Due to the rotating/tilting structure of the device, the point of engagement P is located at a short distance (in the embodiment shown, at a distance a1+a2) of the inner surface 10 of the object to be manipulated 1, whereby an optimum ease of manipulation is obtained. As a result, a more reliable operation of the vacuum pump 6 is obtained because this pump co-tilts (K) with the object 1, but does not co-rotate (R) with the object 1 (rotating could affect the reliability of the operation of the vacuum pump 6). After all, the vacuum pump is connected to a point of the bearing structure 7 (namely, with part 9) which can tilt but can not rotate. This is contrary to the object 1, which is connected to a point of the bearing structure 7 (namely, to part 8), which is able to tilt as much as rotate.