Slab Lifting Clamp

Abstract

A disclosed gripping system for lifting planar objects comprises a back plate, center sliding plate, lifting pin assembly and cam plate in pivotal connection. Slabs of granite, concrete, marble and other dense planar objects may be safely lifted, moved and lowered, with automatic locking and unlocking of the planar object occurring in response to either the gripping system being lowered upon the planar object, or the planar object being deposited upon the ground.

Claims

1. A gripping system (100) comprising: a) a back plate (3) attached to a center sliding plate (7) with rotation of the back plate to the center sliding plate urged by a lifting pin assembly (200) in pivotal attachment to the center sliding plate; b) a cam plate (14) containing the lifting pin assembly and the cam plate attached to superior ends of the center sliding plate and the back plate.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the lifting pin assembly comprises: a) a lifting pin (19) having a top half section (205) with the top half section defining an upper void (210) with the upper void accepting a cylinder (21) b) a locking pin (18) axially dispose within the upper void, the locking in comprising an upper rotational pivot plane (230) attached to a shaft section and the shaft section attached to a triangular lock head (240).

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the lifting pin assembly further comprises: a) a first and second lower pivot mount (220) attached to a lower end of the lifting pin, the first and second lower pivot mounts defining a plurality of voids, with the plurality of voids containing an inner pressure wheel (11) a first and second outer pressure wheel (9) and a shaft (10).

4. The system of claim 3 wherein a lower portion of the center sliding plate and a lower portion of the cam plate are attached by a bottom extension spring (13).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a sectional side view of a disclosed embodiment

[0016] FIG. 2 depicts an elevational view of a back plate

[0017] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed embodiment

[0018] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of a lifting pin assembly

[0019] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a lifting pin assembly

[0020] FIG. 6 depicts a disclosed embodiment in a locked position

[0021] FIG. 7 depicts a disclosed embodiment with a lifting arm lowered and locking pin rotated by 45 degrees

[0022] FIG. 8 depicts a disclosed embodiment with the lifting arm raised and the locking pin further rotated another 45 degrees

[0023] FIG. 9 depicts a disclosed embodiment with the lifting arm raised

[0024] FIG. 10 depicts a disclosed embodiment with the lifting arm lowered and locking pin rotated 45 degrees

[0025] FIG. 11 depicts a disclosed embodiment with the lifting arm raised with the locking pin further rotated another 45 degrees, locking the pin back to a locked position, as in FIG. 6

[0026] FIG. 12 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 6

[0027] FIG. 13 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 7

[0028] FIG. 14 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 8

[0029] FIG. 15 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 9

[0030] FIG. 16 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 10

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0031] 100 a disclosed embodiment in general

[0032] 1 hexagon socket countersunk head screw m140 or fastener

[0033] 2 hexagon socket countersunk head screw m140 or fastener

[0034] 3 back plate

[0035] 4 rubber or other relatively soft material for back plate

[0036] 5 tapping screw

[0037] 6 rubber or other relatively soft material for sliding plate

[0038] 7 center sliding plate

[0039] 8 circlips

[0040] 9 outer pressure wheel

[0041] 10 shaft

[0042] 11 inner pressure wheel

[0043] 12 rubber pieces

[0044] 13 bottom extension spring

[0045] 14 cam plate

[0046] 15 rubber for cam plate

[0047] 16 brass washer

[0048] 17 plastic cap

[0049] 18 locking pin or locking plunger

[0050] 19 lifting pin

[0051] 20 hexagon socket counter sunk head screw M610

[0052] 21 cylinder

[0053] 30 locking pin base

[0054] 35 center sliding plate

[0055] 200 lifting pin assembly

[0056] 205 top half section of lifting pin 19

[0057] 210 upper void defined within top half section 205 of lifting pin 19

[0058] 220 lower pivot mounts of lifting pin 19

[0059] 230 upper rotational pivot plane assembly of locking pin 18

[0060] 240 triangular lock head or plunger of locking pin

[0061] 250 face of lifting pin

[0062] 300 locking recess defined within the center sliding plate 7

[0063] 400 lifting arm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0064] The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

[0065] Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

[0066] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of including, but not limited to. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

[0067] The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

[0068] Any and all the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0069] FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment wherein a locking pin assembly comprises a lower roller assembly in rotational contact with a cam plate and center sliding plate. Optimally using the downward gravitational force of a payload, the center sliding plate is urged into the back plate, trapping the payload, the payload being disposed between the center sliding plate and back plate. Vertical movement of a disclosed embodiment, in relation to a payload, automatically opens and closes the center sliding plate and back plate.

[0070] FIG. 2 depicts an elevational view of a back plate secured by four fasteners.

[0071] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed embodiment highlighting the means of attachment of the disclosed components. Disclosed components may include a back plate 3 having a top half, the top half defining a plurality of voids with the voids sometimes used by fasteners 1 and 2, with the fasteners also secured through a center sliding plate 7 and a cam plate 15.

[0072] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed lifting pin assembly 200 wherein a top half 205 or superior side may define or include a cylinder void 210, the cylinder void comporting to a cylinder 21. A lifting pin assembly may further comprise one or more pressure wheels, the pressure wheels used to open or close the back plate and center sliding plate as a payload interacts with the embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a lifting pin assembly 200. The locking pin 18 is in a lowered position with the locking plunger or triangular lock head 240 parallel to the face 250 of the lifting pin.

[0074] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment in a locked position.

[0075] FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment with a lifting arm lowered and the locking pin rotated 45 degrees.

[0076] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment with the lifting arm raised and the locking pin rotated 45 degrees further, as compared to the locking pin position shown in FIG. 7.

[0077] FIG. 9 depicts the lifting arm raised.

[0078] FIG. 10 depicts the lifting arm lowered and the locking pin rotated 45 degrees.

[0079] FIG. 11 depicts the lifting arm is a raised position with the locking pin rotated an additional 45 degrees. The locking pin is back in the locked position.

[0080] FIG. 12 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 6.

[0081] FIG. 13 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 7.

[0082] FIG. 14 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 8.

[0083] FIG. 15 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 9.

[0084] FIG. 16 depicts a top perspective view of FIG. 10.