Clamp for an item of laundry

Abstract

A clamp for feeding items of laundry to a laundry treatment machine that can be easily actuated and that can enhance performance and reliability when items of laundry are fed, for example, to a mangle or the like, by configuring at least one clamping element of the clamp as a clamping lever having an insertion aid with a guideway for the sliding insertion of a section of the item of laundry into a clamp mouth.

Claims

1. A clamp (18) for an item of laundry (10), comprising: a clamp housing (26); a clamp mouth (32); at least one movable clamping element comprising at least one clamping lever (37, 38) pivotally mounted on the clamp housing (26) about a pivot axis (39), the at least one clamping lever (37, 38) having a first end (41, 42) configured as a nose-like projection (50, 51) protruding into the clamp mouth (32); and a common preloaded spring (40) for preloading the at least one clamping lever (37, 38), wherein the at least one clamping lever (37, 38) comprises an insertion aid having a guideway (47, 48) for the guided insertion of a section (24) of the item of laundry (10) into the clamp mouth (32), wherein the guideway (47, 48) ascends diagonally on an underside of the clamp housing (26) toward the clamp mouth (32) and extends into the clamp mouth (32).

2. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guideway (47, 48) lies with its entire length below an opening of the clamp mouth (32).

3. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance of the guideway (47, 48) to the clamp mouth (32) decreases continually.

4. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guideway (47, 48) ascends obliquely from below the clamp housing (26) to the clamp mouth (32) and has a linear configuration.

5. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guideway (47, 48) ascends obliquely from below the clamp housing (26) to the clamp mouth (32) and has a curved configuration.

6. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second end (43, 44) projecting beyond the clamp housing (26), with the guideway (47, 48) running between the first end (41, 42) and the second end (43, 44) of the clamping lever (37, 38) on an underside (45, 46) of the clamping lever (37, 38).

7. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the section (24) of the item of laundry (10) is fixable in the clamp mouth (32) by the first end (41, 42) of the clamping lever (37, 38) through the common spring (40) of the clamping lever (37, 38).

8. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common spring (40) is a restoring means which preloads the clamping lever (37, 38) so as to close the clamp mouth (32).

9. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clamping lever (37, 38) for inserting the section (24) of the item of laundry (10) into the clamp mouth (32) is movable against the preload of the restoring means while the section (24) of the item of laundry (10) slides along the guideway (47, 48).

10. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamping lever (37, 38) for inserting the section (24) of the item of laundry (10) into the clamp mouth (32) is movable against the preload of the restoring means while the section (24) of the item of laundry (10) slides along the guideway (47, 48).

11. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (39) is arranged at an approximately centered position between the first end (41, 42) and the second end (43, 44) of the clamping lever (37, 38).

12. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (39) of the clamping lever (37, 38) is positioned closer to the first end (41, 42) of the clamping lever (37, 38).

13. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis (39) of the clamping lever (37, 38) is positioned closer the second end (43, 44) of the clamping lever (37, 38).

14. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for the purpose of introducing the section (24) of the item of laundry (10) into the clamp mouth (32), the item of laundry (10) with this section (24) is movable along the guideway (47, 48).

15. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamp housing (26) comprises a plurality of the clamp mouths (32).

16. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plurality of the clamping levers (37, 38) are arranged at a distance relative to one another and are mounted on a common clamp housing (26).

17. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the clamp housing (26) further comprises at least one clamp mouth bridge (34, 35), wherein each of the plurality of the clamping levers (37, 38) is assigned its own one of the at least one clamp mouth bridge (34, 35).

18. The clamp (18) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamp housing (26) comprises a plurality of the clamping levers (37, 38) that are jointly actuatable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and details of the invention are provided in the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which in the following are described in more detail on the basis of the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a reduced-scale, schematic representation of an apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a mangle,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a clamp for an item of laundry,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the clamp, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 for delivering items of laundry 10 from a laundry hamper 11 to a mangle feeder 12 comprises a loading station 13, a vertical conveying section 14 in the region of the loading station 13, a gravity conveying section 15, a vertical conveying section 16 and a removal station 17 in front of the mangle feeder.

(7) The items of laundry 10 are supplied by means of clamps 18, which are moved and guided in circulation in the feeding arrangement in the direction of the arrow 19. Here the clamps 18 in the region of each vertical conveying section 14, 16 are coupled with an endless conveying element, configured here as conveying chain 20, which runs in a guide configured as a profiled rail 21.

(8) The clamps 18 are each disposed on a carriage 22 that is moveable in the profiled rail 21. The clamps 19 move via the carriages 22 along the conveying section 16 in the direction of arrow 19. For feeding the items of laundry 10, an operator 23 removes an item of laundry 10 from the laundry hamper 11 and feeds a section 24 of the item of laundry 10 to the clamp 18. The section 24 of the item of laundry 10 is fixed in the clamp 18 and taken away along the conveying section 16. At another end of the conveying section 16 another operator 25 removes the item of laundry 10 from the clamp 18 and introduces it to a further treatment station, for example, a mangle feeder 12. This transfer to a further treatment station can also be carried out automatically.

(9) The present invention of a clamp for an item of laundry is not limited to the application example of the clamps 18 according to the invention in a feeding arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 1. Instead, the clamps 18 according to the invention can be employed in any other kind of laundry installation.

(10) The clamps 18 for receiving an item of laundry 10 essentially exhibit a clamp housing 26 (FIG. 2). This clamp housing 26 has mounting means 27 for the attachment to a carriage 22 of a conveying chain 20, for example. The mounting means 27 is attached, preferably displaceably attached, to the carriage 22 by means of fastening elements, for example (not shown). The clamp housing 26 has essentially a box-shaped configuration, with at least one side being open. The two opposing side walls 28 and 29 each have wedge-shaped or parabola-shaped slots 30, 31, which together form a clamp mouth 32. The clamp mouth 32 has a vertical orientation and is open downwards. On a front side 33 of the clamp 18 the latter has a large-area opening 56, thus forming, together with the slots 30, 31, two clamp mouth bridges 34, 35. The rear side 36 of the clamp 18 located opposite the front side 33 is essentially closed, but may also have openings for further elements of the clamp 18.

(11) In the exemplary embodiment of the clamp 18 shown in FIG. 2, the clamp housing 26 is assigned two clamping levers 37, 38. The clamping levers 37, 38 are connected to each other and to the housing 26 by means of a pivot axis 39. The clamping levers 37 and 38 can be moved about the pivot axis jointly or individually. Furthermore, the clamping levers 37, 38 and the clamp housing 26 are associated via the pivot axis 39 with a common spring 40 or a leg spring. A preload is exerted by the spring 40 on the clamping levers 37, 38 such that the clamping levers 37, 38 are tensioned in an initial position or resting position.

(12) The clamping levers 37, 38 have an elongated shape, with a first end 41, 42 protruding into the clamp housing 26 or into the clamp mouth 32 and a second end 43, 44 projecting out of the clamp housing 26. Positioned between the first end 41, 42 and the second end 43, 44 is the pivot axis 39. The pivot axis 39 is arranged at a centered position between the ends 41, 42 and 43, 44. But the invention also provides for positioning the pivot axis 39 closer to one end 41, 42 or 43, 44 for achieving better lever action.

(13) An underside 45, 46 of the clamping levers 37, 38 is configured as a guidance means or guideway 47, 48. This guideway 47, 48 of the clamping levers 37, 38 serves as an aid for inserting at least one section 24 of the item of laundry 10 into the clamp mouth 32. Here the underside 45, 46 of the clamping levers 37, 38 can have a skid-like configuration with a level or flat or curved surface.

(14) The guideway 47, 48 between the second end 43, 44 and the first end 41, 42 is obliquely oriented relative to the clamp housing 26 or relative to a horizontal plane, with the result that the distance to an underside 49 of the clamp housing 26 continuously decreases in the direction of the first end 41, 42. Here the guideway 47, 48 has a straight-line configuration, or one that is slightly convex or concave. It is preferably provided that the guideway 47, 48 leading to the first end 41, 42 is similar or identical to the curvature or incline of the slot 30, 31 or of the clamp mouth 32.

(15) The first end 41, 42 of the clamping lever 37, 38 has a nose-like projection 50, 51. Due to the preloading of the spring 40, the clamping lever 37, 38 presses against the clamp mouth bridge 34, 35 with this projection 50, 51. When pressure is applied to the projection 50, 51, the clamping lever 37, 38 pivots about the pivot axis 39 against the preload force of the spring 40 such that the first end 41, 42 of the clamping lever 37, 38 opens the clamping mouth 32. As soon as no force is any longer exerted on the projection 50, 51 of the first end 41, 42, the preloaded spring 40 causes the first end 41, 42 to move back to its initial position in which the projection 50, 51 is in contact with the clamp mouth bridge 34, 35.

(16) The second end 43, 44 of the clamping lever 37, 38 has a free upper side 52, 53. By exerting force on this upper side 52, 53 the clamping lever 37, 38 can likewise be pivoted from its resting position about the pivot axis 39 and thus open the clamping mouth 32. The force exerted on the clamping lever 37, 38 can be applied manually or automatically, or by machine. The second end 43, 44 of the clamping lever 37, 38 has an opening 54, 55 for an actuating element (not shown) by means of which the clamping lever 37, 38 can be moved about the pivot axis 39.

(17) The width of the clamping levers 37, 38 is dimensioned such it correspond to the width of the clamp mouth bridges 34, 35. This results in the opening 56 in the clamp mouth 32 at the front side 33 of the clamp housing 26.

(18) The number of clamping levers 37, 38 of a clamp 18 and their shape are not restricted to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. In fact, provision can be made for the clamp 18 to have only one clamping lever or a plurality of parallel clamping levers. In addition, it is conceivable that the carriage 22 of the conveyor chain 20 has a plurality of clamps 18 aligned parallel to each other. It is also conceivable for the clamping levers to have a different form, for instance one that is more cuboid in shape.

(19) The clamp housing can be made of metal or synthetic material. The clamping levers 37, 38, in particular the guideway 47, 48, can be made of metal or synthetic material. It is preferably provided that the guideway 47, 48 is made of a material having a low sliding resistance, such as Teflon brand of synthetic material.

(20) When the item of laundry 10 is fed into the clamp 18, the rear side 36 of the clamp 18 faces the operator 23. For the transport of the item of laundry 10 by the clamp 18, an operator 23 feeds a section 24, in particular a corner, an edge or the like, of the item of laundry 10 into the clamp 18. In the process the operator 23 grips the section 24 of the item of laundry 10 and guides it to contact any part of the guideway 47, 48. By virtue of the operator 23 exerting a slight pressure on the section 24 of the item of laundry 10, while sliding it along the guideway 47, 48, the section 24 is guided along the obliquely directed underside 45, 46 in the direction of the first end 41, 42 of the clamping lever 37, 38. Here it is of no consequence as to which position between the first end 41, 42 and the second end 43, 44 of the clamping lever 37, 38 the operator 23 applies the section 24. Due to the aforementioned pressure exerted by the operator 23, the part 24 is always directed along the guideway 47, 48 in the direction of the clamp mouth or the first end 41, 42. Since the guideway 47, 48 has a linear configuration, the section 24 of the item of laundry 10 can be fed to the clamp mouth 32 in a flowing movement.

(21) When the section 24 of the item of laundry 10 presses against the projection 50, 51, the slight pressure exerted by the operator 23 overcomes the preload force of the spring 40 and the clamping lever 37, 38 pivots back about the pivot axis 39, thus causing the first end 41, 42 to expose the clamping mouth 32. As soon as the section 24 of the item of laundry 10 is located in the clamp mouth 32, the operator 23 lets loose of the part 24. Since no force is further exerted on the clamping lever 37, 38, the latter moves back into its initial position due to the preload force of the spring 40. In the process, the section 24 of the item of laundry 10 is pressed by the projection 50, 51 against the clamp mouth 34, 35 and thereby fixed in place. The item of laundry 10 is now fixed in the clamp 18 such that it can be carried away by a conveying system.

(22) For removing the item of laundry 10 from the clamp 18, another operator 25 moves the second end 43, 44 downwards, thus causing the first end 41, 42 to open the clamp mouth 32 again and the section 24 of the item of laundry 10 to fall out of the clamp mouth 32. However, it is preferably provided that the clamp 18 is automatically opened by exerting force or pressure on the upper side 52, 53 of the second end 43, 44.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

(23) 10 item of laundry

(24) 11 laundry hamper

(25) 12 mangle feeder

(26) 13 loading station

(27) 14 conveying section

(28) 15 gravity conveying section

(29) 16 conveying section

(30) 17 removal station

(31) 18 clamp

(32) 19 arrow direction

(33) 20 conveyor chain

(34) 21 profiled rail

(35) 22 carriage

(36) 23 operator

(37) 24 section

(38) 25 operator

(39) 26 clamp housing

(40) 27 mounting means

(41) 28 side wall

(42) 29 side wall

(43) 30 slot

(44) 31 slot

(45) 32 clamp mouth

(46) 33 front side

(47) 34 clamp mouth bridge

(48) 35 clamp mouth bridge

(49) 36 rear side

(50) 37 clamping lever

(51) 38 clamping lever

(52) 39 pivot axis

(53) 40 spring

(54) 41 first end

(55) 42 first end

(56) 43 second end

(57) 44 second end

(58) 45 underside

(59) 46 underside

(60) 47 guideway

(61) 48 guideway

(62) 49 underside

(63) 50 projection

(64) 51 projection

(65) 52 upper side

(66) 53 upper side

(67) 54 opening

(68) 55 opening

(69) 56 opening