DEVICE FOR CLAMPING BONE-IN MEAT

Abstract

A device for clamping bone-in meat includes a plurality of gripping blocks, and a displacement restricting part. The gripping blocks have grip parts that can abut an outer circumferential surface around a bone section of bone-in meat, and that are provided to be displaceable in a direction in which the grip parts approach and separate from each other. The displacement restricting part restricts displacement of the plurality of gripping blocks, which are gripping the bone-in meat, in a separating direction.

Claims

1. A device for clamping bone-in meat comprising: a plurality of gripping blocks having grip parts that are able to abut an outer circumferential surface around a bone section of bone-in meat and that are provided to be displaceable in a direction in which the grip parts approach and separate from each other; and a displacement restricting part configured to restrict displacement of the plurality of gripping blocks, which are gripping the bone-in meat, in a separating direction.

2. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 1, wherein the pair of gripping blocks include: clamping parts that have the grip parts on side edge portions of the clamping parts facing each other and that are configured to clamp the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat in a substantially horizontal posture; and arm parts extending upward from the clamping parts; wherein at least one of the arm parts is able to pivot about a pivoting axis so as to be displaced in a direction in which the grip parts of the pair of gripping blocks approach and separate from each other.

3. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 2, wherein each of the arm parts of the pair of gripping blocks are pivotable about the pivoting axis.

4. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 2, wherein a guide protrusion extending parallel with the pivoting axis is provided on each of the arm parts of the pair of gripping blocks, the displacement restricting part includes a displacement restricting block having a displacement restricting groove that is able to abut the two guide protrusions, and the displacement restricting block is disposed so as to be displaceable in a direction along the displacement restricting groove, and a groove width of the displacement restricting groove narrows toward one side.

5. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 4, wherein the displacement restricting part further includes a biasing member configured to bias the displacement restricting block in a direction in which a side of the displacement restricting groove, a groove width of which narrows, approaches the two guide protrusions.

6. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 5, wherein the grip part is constituted by a concave portion provided in the side edge portion of the clamping part.

7. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 6, wherein the concave portion is provided with a receiving part configured to receive the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat, and a tapered portion inclined from a side separated away from the receiving part toward a deepest portion of the concave portion.

8. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping blocks have a first gripping block and a second gripping block in which the respective grip parts of the first gripping block and the second gripping block are able to approach and separate from each other, and the displacement restricting part includes a block biasing member configured to bias at least one of the first gripping block and the second gripping block in a direction in which the grip parts approach each other.

9. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 8, wherein the first gripping block is able to be fixed to external fixed equipment and is provided with a substantially horizontal pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the second gripping block, and the second gripping block is supported on the pivot shaft such that gravity acts in a direction in which the grip part of the second gripping block approaches the grip part of the first gripping block.

10. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 9, wherein the second gripping block includes a connecting arm that is substantially extending toward the first gripping block and that is pivotably supported on the pivot shaft.

11. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 10, wherein the block biasing member is disposed on a side portion of the second gripping block which is an opposite side of the second gripping block where the connecting arm is extending.

12. The device for clamping bone-in meat according to claim 11, wherein the block biasing member is a compression coil spring disposed substantially in a tangential direction of a circle about a center axis of the pivot shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a side view of a device for clamping bone-in meat of a first embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a view of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the first embodiment when seen from an arrow II in FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a view of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the first embodiment when seen from an arrow III in FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the first embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the first embodiment along line V-V in FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a side view of a device for clamping bone-in meat of a second embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the second embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a front view of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the second embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a front view of the device for clamping bone-in meat of the second embodiment, a part of which is cut away.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, or the like, of components described in the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless the context indicates otherwise.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0047] FIG. 1 is a side view of a device 10 for clamping bone-in meat (hereinafter, referred to as a clamping device 10) of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view when seen from an arrow II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view when seen from an arrow III in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the clamping device 10, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line V-V in FIG. 1.

[0048] In the embodiment, chicken leg meat is treated as bone-in meat 2. However, the treated bone-in meat 2 is not limited to the chicken leg meat, but may also be the legs of a pig, etc.

[0049] In the chicken leg meat (the bone-in meat 2), a femur b1 and a tibia b2 are connected by a knee joint b3, and an ankle b4 is connected to an end portion of the tibia b2. A bone section b is thinnest near the connecting section between the tibia b2 and the ankle b4, and the outer diameter of the ankle b4 thickens from the vicinity of the connecting section toward the terminal part.

[0050] The clamping device 10 is attached to a lifting device 12 and vertically raised and lowered together with the lifting device 12. In addition, the lifting device 12 is supported by a conveyance device (not shown) and moves between a plurality of processing stations by the operation of the conveyance device. The clamping device 10 holds the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2 upward and grips the outer circumferential surface near the ankle b4, thereby suspending and supporting the bone-in meat 2.

[0051] The clamping device 10 includes a base plate 13 connected to the lifting device 12, a pair of gripping blocks 14 pivotably supported on the base plate 13, a displacement restricting block 15 (displacement restricting part) configured to restrict displacement of the pair of gripping blocks 14, which are gripping the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2, in a separating direction (opening direction), and a fall-out regulation lever 16 configured to restrict fall-out of the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2 of the gripping blocks 14.

[0052] The base plate 13 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front and protrudes vertically downward from a lower end of the lifting device 12. A pair of pivot shafts 17 are attached near the lower end of the base plate 13 while being spaced apart in a widthwise direction. The pair of pivot shafts 17 protrude toward one side of the base plate 13 in a plate thickness direction, and the upper end portions of each of the gripping blocks 14 are pivotably supported on the protruded portions.

[0053] The gripping blocks 14 include substantially rectangular plate parts 18 (clamping parts) that are long in one direction, plate-like arm parts 19 that extend from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the plate parts 18 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and side covers 30 configured to cover the outside of the space part sandwiched between the plate parts 18 and the arm parts 19. Extension ends of the arm parts 19 of the gripping blocks 14 are pivotably supported on the pivot shafts 17 correspondingly protruding from the base plate 13. The pivot shafts 17 penetrate the arm parts 19 in the plate thickness direction.

[0054] The one gripping block 14 and the other gripping block 14 face each other at the side edge portions of the plate parts 18 in the longitudinal direction. Here, if the opposing sides of the pair of plate parts 18 are referred to as inner sides, inner side edge portions of the plate parts 18 have concave portions 20, which hold the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 near the ankle b4. The pair of plate parts 18 grips the outer circumferential surface near the ankle b4 in a substantially horizontal posture, with the corresponding arm parts 19 supported by the pivot shafts 17. The arm parts 19 can pivot around pivoting axes L1 and L2, which are center axes of the corresponding pivot shafts 17, respectively.

[0055] Further, in the embodiment, the concave portions 20 constitute grip parts in the gripping blocks 14. In addition, the arm parts 19 of the gripping blocks 14 extend upward relative to the plate parts 18, which are in a substantially horizontal posture, respectively.

[0056] The pair of gripping blocks 14 pivot about the pivoting axes L1 and L2 at the upper end of the arm parts 19, thereby relatively displacing the inner side edge portions (the concave portions 20) of the plate parts 18 so as to approach and separate. Accordingly, the pair of gripping blocks 14 are arranged so that their gripping parts (the concave portions 20) can be relatively displaced in a direction in which they approach and separate from each other.

[0057] Cylindrical guide protrusions 21 extending parallel to the pivoting axes L1 and L2 are provided on the midway portion of the arm parts 19 in the extension direction of the gripping blocks 14 (a position lower than the pivot shafts 17), respectively. Each of the guide protrusions 21 protrudes substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the arm parts 19 on the surface of the arm parts 19 which is opposite the side to which the plate parts 18 extend.

[0058] The displacement restricting block 15 is constituted by a substantially rectangular plate-shaped block with a sufficient thickness and high rigidity, and its upper end portion is supported on the lower end of the lifting device 12 so that it can be raised and lowered. The displacement restricting block 15 is arranged substantially parallel to the base plate 13 on the outside of the base plate 13 (the side of the base plate 13 that is separated from the gripping blocks 14 while being sandwiched). As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the displacement restricting block 15 is formed with a substantially U-shaped displacement restricting groove 22 that opens downward. The displacement restricting groove 22 penetrates the displacement restricting block 15 in the plate thickness direction, and is formed so that the groove width gradually narrows from the lower end toward the upper side. The inner surface of the displacement restricting groove 22 is capable of abutting against the outer circumferential surfaces of the two guide protrusions 21 protruding from the pair of gripping blocks 14.

[0059] Here, the displacement restricting block 15 is biased downward by a biasing member 31 such as a coil spring or the like. In other words, the displacement restricting block 15 is biased by the biasing member 31 in a direction in which a side (upper end side) of the displacement restricting groove 22, a groove width of which narrows, approaches the two guide protrusions 21. The substantially U-shaped displacement restricting groove 22 of the displacement restricting block 15 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the two guide protrusions 21 by the biasing force of the biasing member 31. The two guide protrusions 21 are thus subjected to a pressing force in the direction in which they approach each other. As a result, the pair of gripping blocks 14 pivot about the pivoting axes L1 and L2 so that the inner side edge portions (the concave portions 20) of the plate parts 18 are adjacent to one another. Here, when the vicinity of the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2 is disposed between the concave portions 20 of the two plate parts 18, the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 near the ankle b4 is gripped by the two concave portions 20.

[0060] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner side edge portions of the plate parts 18 of the gripping blocks 14 are provided with the concave portions 20, and excess meat clamping parts 23 constituted by flat surfaces extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to an approaching/separating direction of the plate parts 18 (the concave portions 20). The excess meat clamping parts 23 are provided near one side of the concave portions 20 (sides continuous with the arm parts 19) in the inner side edge portions of the plate parts 18. When the two plate parts 18 are in a substantially horizontal posture, the excess meat clamping parts 23 face each other with their flat surfaces parallel to each other. When the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 is gripped by the concave portions 20 of both the plate parts 18, the excess meat clamping parts 23 of the two plate parts 18 clamp excess meat sm (including the surface skin, etc.) of its outer circumference from both sides with their flat surfaces.

[0061] Further, the arm parts 19 of each of the gripping blocks 14 extend upward from the end portion of the plate parts 18 on the side where the excess meat clamping parts 23 are located. Accordingly, the two gripping blocks 14 are supported by the pivot shafts 17 in a cantilevered manner on the side where the excess meat clamping parts 23 are located.

[0062] In addition, the concave portions 20 of the plate parts 18 have substantially arc-shaped receiving parts 24 configured to receive the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 at a position adjacent to the excess meat clamping parts 23, and tapered portions 25 inclined from the side separated from the excess meat clamping parts 23 toward the deepest portion of the concave portion. When the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 is clamped between both the plate parts 18, the tapered portions 25 presses the excess meat sm of the outer circumference of the bone section b in the direction of the excess meat clamping parts 23.

[0063] Further, reference sign 33 in FIG. 3 is a guide slope for guiding the bone section b (near the ankle b4) of the bone-in meat 2 between the plate parts 18 when the bone section b is gripped between the plate parts 18.

[0064] In addition, the fall-out regulation lever 16 shown in FIG. 1 includes a substantially L-shaped lever main body 35 pivotably supported on the lifting device 12, and a pressing roller 36 rotatably supported on one end portion of the lever main body 35. The lever main body 35 is pivotably biased by a biasing member (not shown) in a direction in which an end portion on the side of the pressing roller 36 approaches the gripping blocks 14. When the bone-in meat 2 is gripped between the pair of gripping blocks 14, if the outer circumferential surface of the pressing roller 36 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the end portion of the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2, the biasing force of the biasing member prevents the bone-in meat 2 from falling out and maintains a constant grip posture of the bone-in meat 2.

[0065] As described above, the clamping device 10 of the embodiment includes the pair of (plurality of) gripping blocks 14 configured to adjust a separating distance of the concave portions 20 (grip part), and the displacement restricting block 15 (displacement restricting part) configured to restrict displacement of the pair of (plurality of) gripping blocks 14 in the separating direction. Accordingly, when the clamping device 10 of the embodiment is employed, even if there is variation in the thickness of the end portion of the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2, the bone-in meat 2 can be gripped reliably.

[0066] In addition, in the clamping device 10 of the embodiment, the gripping blocks 14 have the plate parts 18 and the arm parts 19, the grip parts (the concave portions 20) are provided on the inner side edge portions of the plate parts 18, and the pair of plate parts 18 hold the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 in a substantially horizontal posture. Then, the arm parts 19 are pivotably supported about the pivoting axes L1 and L2, allowing the two plate parts 18 to be displaced in approaching and separating directions. For this reason, when the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 is gripped by the gripping blocks 14, the two plate parts 18 move away from each other and the inclination of each of the plate parts 18 increases. As a result, it is possible to enlarge the receiving space of the bone section b at upper side of the two plate parts 18 and easily set one end side of the bone section b between the two plate parts 18.

[0067] In addition, when the two plate parts 18 are displaced in the approaching direction, since the two plate parts 18 are in a substantially horizontal posture, the grip parts (the concave portions 20) of the plate parts 18 can firmly grip one end side of the bone section b.

[0068] In the embodiment, although the arm parts 19 of the two gripping blocks 14 are capable of pivoting about the pivoting axes L1 and L2, it is also possible for only one of the arm parts 19 of the two gripping blocks 14 to be capable of pivoting about the pivoting axis.

[0069] However, in the case in which the arm parts 19 of the two gripping blocks 14 are each capable of pivoting about the pivoting axes L1 and L2 as in this embodiment, the bone-in meat 2 can be easily set between the two plate parts 18 by tilting the two plate parts 18 in the same manner when gripping the bone-in meat 2. In addition, here, since the tilt angles of the pair of gripping blocks 14 (the plate parts 18) can be made almost equal, the bone-in meat 2 can be supported by the two gripping blocks 14 in a well-balanced manner.

[0070] In addition, in the clamping device 10 of the embodiment, the guide protrusions 21 extending parallel with the pivoting axes L1 and L2 are provided on each of the arm parts 19 of the pair of gripping blocks 14, and the displacement restricting groove 22 that can abut the two guide protrusions 21 is provided on the displacement restricting block 15. Then, the displacement restricting block 15 is arranged so as to be displaceable in a direction along the displacement restricting groove 22, and the groove width of the displacement restricting groove 22 is set so as to narrow toward one side.

[0071] Accordingly, when the configuration is employed, despite its simple structure, the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 can be firmly gripped by the pair of gripping blocks 14 by pressing the displacement restricting grooves 22 of the displacement restricting block 15 against the two guide protrusions 21.

[0072] Further, in the clamping device 10 of the embodiment, the displacement restricting block 15 is biased by the biasing member 31 in a direction in which a side of the displacement restricting groove 22, a groove width of which narrows, approaches the two guide protrusions 21. For this reason, after the bone-in meat 2 is set between the pair of gripping blocks 14, the biasing force of the biasing member 31 allows the grip parts (the concave portions 20) of the gripping blocks 14 to be compressed against the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 with a predetermined load.

[0073] Accordingly, when the configuration is employed, by simply releasing movement restriction of the displacement restricting block 15, the grip of the bone-in meat 2 can be made more stable while the grip state of the bone-in meat 2 by the pair of gripping blocks 14 can be automatically fixed.

[0074] In addition, in the clamping device 10 of the embodiment, since the grip parts of the gripping blocks 14 are constituted by the concave portions 20 provided in the side edge portions of the plate parts 18, the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 can be stably supported by the concave portions 20.

[0075] In addition, in the clamping device 10 of the embodiment, the concave portions 20 of the plate parts 18 are provided with the receiving parts 24 configured to receive the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2, and the tapered portions 25 inclined from the side separated away from the receiving parts 24 toward the deepest portions of the concave portions 20. For this reason, when one end side of the bone-in meat 2 is set between the pair of plate parts 18 and the pair of plate parts 18 are displaced in the approaching direction in this state, the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 is received by the receiving parts 24 of the concave portions 20 and receives a pressing force from the tapered portions 25 of the concave portions 20.

[0076] Accordingly, when the configuration is employed, the bone-in meat 2 gripped by the plate parts 18 can be stably supported by the tapered portions 25 and the receiving parts 24 in the concave portions 20.

[0077] Further, while the clamping device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment has the pair of gripping blocks 14 whose grip parts (the concave portions 20) approach and separate from each other, the number of gripping blocks 14 is not limited to two and may be three or more. In this case, the three or more gripping blocks 14 form a structure that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2 from the outside.

[0078] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, while the concave portions 20 formed in the side edge portions of the plate parts 18 constitute the grip parts of the gripping blocks 14, the shape of the grip parts of the gripping blocks 14 is not limited to the concave portions 20. The grip parts may be flat or may have some unevenness in part as long as the grip parts can grip the outer circumferential surface of the bone-in meat 2.

[0079] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, while the displacement restricting part configured to restrict displacement of the plurality of gripping blocks 14 in the separating direction is configured by the displacement restricting block 15 of the displacement restricting groove 22, the configuration of the displacement restricting part is not limited thereto. The displacement restricting part may be, for example, a multi-stage lock mechanism or an actuator that can restrict the displacement in the separating direction of the plurality of gripping blocks 14 at an arbitrary position.

[0080] Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as a means for approaching and separating the grip parts of the plurality of gripping blocks 14, the gripping blocks 14 are supported so as to be able to pivot freely on the pivot shafts 17, however, the means for approaching and separating the grip parts of the plurality of gripping blocks 14 is not limited to this. As the means for approaching and separating the grip parts of the plurality of gripping blocks 14, for example, it is also possible to use a mechanism in which the plurality of gripping blocks move linearly in a direction approaching and separating one another.

[0081] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the plate parts 18 of the pair of gripping blocks 14 are structured to grip the end portion of the bone-in meat 2 in a substantially horizontal posture, the grip by the gripping blocks 14 on the end portion of the bone-in meat 2 is not necessarily limited to the grip in the substantially horizontal posture. For example, the gripping blocks 14 may grip the end portion of the bone-in meat 2 in an obliquely inclined or vertical posture.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

[0082] FIG. 6 is a side view of a device 110 for clamping bone-in meat (hereinafter, referred to as a clamping device 110) of an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clamping device 110, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the clamping device 110. In addition, FIG. 9 is a front view in which a part of the clamping device 110 is broken.

[0083] In FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the same reference signs designate the parts common to those in the first embodiment described above. In the following description, descriptions of some parts that overlap with the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

[0084] The clamping device 110 is attached to the lifting device 12 and moves up and down together with the lifting device 12. The clamping device 110 holds the ankle b4 of the bone-in meat 2 upward and grips the outer circumferential surface near the ankle b4, thereby suspending and supporting the bone-in meat 2. The lifting device 12 is supported by a conveyance device (not shown) and is moved between the plurality of processing stations by operation of the conveyance device.

[0085] In the embodiment, the lifting device 12 constitutes external fixed equipment configured to fix the clamping device 110.

[0086] The clamping device 110 includes a first gripping block 114A and a second gripping block 114B having grip pieces 40a and 40b (grip part) that can abut the outer circumferential surface of the bone section b (the ankle b4) of the bone-in meat 2, and a block biasing member 60 configured to bias the second gripping block 114B in a direction in which the grip pieces 40a and 40b (grip parts) approach each other. The first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B are capable of approaching and separating the grip pieces 40a and 40b (grip parts) from each other.

[0087] The first gripping block 114A includes a base part 41 fixed to a lower end of the lifting device 12, a clamping part 42a having the grip piece 40a, and an arm part 43a extending upward from the clamping part 42a and configured to connect the clamping part 42a and the base part 41.

[0088] The base part 41 includes a base part main body 41a which is a long rectangular prism extending in the upward/downward direction, a cylindrical rod portion 41b which protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base part main body 41a, and an inclined wall 41c which is prismatic (square prism-shaped) and extends diagonally downward in one direction from the lower end of the base part main body 41a. A fixing hole 44 is formed in the rod portion 41b, penetrating it in the diameter direction. A fixed shaft (not shown) configured to connect the base part 41 to the lifting device 12 can be inserted into the fixing hole 44.

[0089] Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, the side where the inclined wall 41c bends from the base part 41 is referred to as the rear side, and the opposite side is referred to as the front side. In addition, with respect to the clamping device 110, the side positioned to the right when facing the front is referred to as the right side, and the opposite side is referred to as the leftside.

[0090] An upper end portion of the arm part 43a is connected to a right half area of the lower end of the prismatic inclined wall 41c. The arm part 43a includes an arm base portion 43ab extending downward vertically from a lower end of the inclined wall 41c, and an inclined extension portion 43ac extending obliquely forward and downward from a lower end of the arm base portion 43ab. The arm base portion 43ab has a side bulging area 45 bulging rightward from the inclined wall 41c of the base part 41. A pivot shaft 46 extending substantially horizontally in the forward/rearward direction is attached to the side bulging area 45. The pivot shaft 46 is formed by a shaft portion of the bolt that penetrates the side bulging area 45 in the forward/rearward direction. The pivot shaft 46 is pivotably supported on the side bulging area 45. The clamping part 42a is continuous with the lower end of the inclined extension portion 43ac.

[0091] In addition, a concave portion 59 configured to avoid interference with an arm base portion 43b of the second gripping block 114B when the second gripping block 114B is pivoted in the opening direction is formed in an upper area of a left side surface of the arm base portion 43ab. An area of the left side surface of the arm base portion 43ab below the concave portion 59 is defined as a closing restricting surface 47 against which the inner side surface of the arm base portion 43bb of the second gripping block 114B abuts when the second gripping block 114B is pivoted in a closing direction.

[0092] The clamping part 42a includes a rear inclined wall 42ar continuously extending forward and downward from the inclined extension portion 43ac of the arm part 43a, a bottom wall 42ab substantially horizontally extending forward from a lower end of the rear inclined wall 42ar, a front inclined wall 42ac obliquely extending forward and upward from a front end portion of the bottom wall 42ab, a front edge wall 42af extending forward from an upper end portion of the front inclined wall 42ac, and the grip piece 40a that connects the rear inclined wall 42ar and the front edge wall 42af. The rear inclined wall 42ar, the bottom wall 42ab, the front inclined wall 42ac, and the front edge wall 42af are formed to have substantially the same width in the leftward/rightward directions and to have the same thickness overall. The grip piece 40a is formed of a long plate-like piece whose thickness direction faces the leftward/rightward direction.

[0093] Front and rear end portions of the grip piece 40a are continuous with right side edge portions of the front edge wall 42af and the rear inclined wall 42ar.

[0094] In addition, a rectangular plate-shaped support wall 58 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the lower end area of the inclined wall 41c. A displacement restricting bolt 57 configured to restrict excessive pivot displacement of the second gripping block 114B is threadedly engaged with the support wall 58. The displacement restricting bolt 57 has a shaft portion 57a that penetrates the support wall 58 from above to below. The displacement restricting bolt 57 restricts the excessive pivot displacement of the second gripping block 114B by making the tip portion of the shaft portion 57a to abut an upper surface of a connecting arm 56 of the second gripping block 114B, which will be described below. The displacement restricting bolt 57 is able to freely adust the pivot restricting position of the second gripping block 114B by adjusting the screw-threaded position of the shaft portion 57a through a pivoting operation.

[0095] The second gripping block 114B includes an arm part 43b disposed near a left side of the arm part 43a of the first gripping block 114A, the connecting arm 56 that is continuous with a rear surface of the arm part 43b and that is substantially horizontally extending from a rear position of the arm part 43b toward a right side (the side of the first gripping block 114A), and a clamping part 42b that has the grip piece 40b and that is continuous with a lower end of the arm part 43b.

[0096] The arm part 43b includes the prismatic arm base portion 43bb disposed below a substantially left half portion of an inclined wall 41 of the first gripping block 114A with a sufficient gap, and an inclined extension portion 43bc obliquely extending forward and downward from a lower end of the arm base portion 43bb.

[0097] The connecting arm 56 is connected to a rear surface of an upper area of the arm base portion 43bb, and extends to a position reaching a rear surface of the side bulging area 45 of the arm base portion 43ab of the first gripping block 114A. An extension end side portion of the connecting arm 56 is non-pivotally connected (capable of rotating together) to an end portion of the pivot shaft 46 (bolt shaft portion) supported on the side bulging area 45. The second gripping block 114B is supported on the second gripping block 114B so that it can pivot about the pivot shaft 46. The second gripping block 114B is pivotable about an axial center (pivoting axis) of the pivot shaft 46.

[0098] Further, in the embodiment, while the connecting arm 56 is constituted by an integrated member, the connecting arm 56 may be configured by connecting a plurality of members.

[0099] The clamping part 42b includes a rear inclined wall 42br continuously extending forward and rearward from the inclined extension portion 43bc of the arm part 43b, a bottom wall 42bb substantially horizontally extending forward from a lower end of the rear inclined wall 42br, a front inclined wall 42bc obliquely extending forward and upward from a front end portion of the bottom wall 42bb, a front edge wall 42bf extending forward from an upper end portion of the front inclined wall 42bc, and the grip piece 40b that connects the rear inclined wall 42br and the front edge wall 42bf. The rear inclined wall 42br, the bottom wall 42bb, the front inclined wall 42bc, and the front edge wall 42bf are formed to have substantially the same width in the leftward/rightward directions and to have the same thickness overall. The grip piece 40b is formed of a long plate-like piece whose thickness direction faces the leftward/rightward direction. Front and rear end portions of the grip piece 40b are continuous with left side edge portions of the front edge wall 42bf and the rear inclined wall 42br.

[0100] Further, a concave portion 48 configured to receive a part of the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 is formed in an upper edge portion inside the grip piece 40b of the second gripping block 114B (a side facing the first gripping block 114A). In the embodiment, while the concave portion 48 is not formed in the grip piece 40a of the first gripping block 114A, the concave portion 48 may be similarly provided in the grip piece 40a.

[0101] The block biasing member 60 of the embodiment is constituted by a compression coil spring. An upper spring seat 61 protrudes from a left side surface of a lower end of the inclined wall 41c of the first gripping block 114A, and a lower spring seat 62 protrudes from a left side surface of the arm base portion 43bb of the second gripping block 114B. The upper spring seat 61 and the lower spring seat 62 face each other in the upward/downward direction when the grip pieces 40a and 40b are in a closed state with the interval between them being closest. The compression coil spring, which is the block biasing member 60, is interposed between the upper spring seat 61 and the lower spring seat 62. Further, a guide protrusion 61a configured to guide an upper end portion of the compression coil spring (the block biasing member 60) protrudes from a lower surface of the upper spring seat 61, and a guide protrusion 62a configured to guide a lower end portion of the compression coil spring (the block biasing member 60) protrudes from an upper surface of the lower spring seat 62.

[0102] As described above, the block biasing member 60 interposed between the upper spring seat 61 and the lower spring seat 62 is disposed on a side portion opposite to a side where the connecting arm 56 extends, in the arm base portion 43bb of the second gripping block 114B. The block biasing member 60 is disposed along a left side surface of the arm base portion 43bb. In addition, the block biasing member 60 (compression coil spring) interposed between the upper spring seat 61 and the lower spring seat 62 is disposed substantially in a tangential direction of a circle about a center axis of the pivot shaft 46.

[0103] In the embodiment, the block biasing member 60 constitutes a displacement restricting part configured to restrict displacement of the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B in the separating direction.

[0104] Here, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the center of gravity G of the second gripping block 114B is located far to the left of the center axis of the pivot shaft 46, near the lower end of the arm part 43b. For this reason, the weight of the second gripping block 114B acts at the position of the center of gravity G so that the grip piece 40b (grip part) of the second gripping block 114B pivots in a direction approaching the grip part of the first gripping block 114A. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, when the second gripping block 114B is opened in the direction in which the grip pieces 40a and 40b move away from each other, the second gripping block 114B is subjected to a moment in a closing direction due to its own weight in addition to the reaction force of the block biasing member 60.

[0105] As described above, the clamping device 110 of the embodiment includes the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B configured to adjust a separating distance of the grip pieces 40a and 40b (grip part), and the block biasing member 60 (displacement restricting part) configured to restrict displacement of the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B in the separating direction. Accordingly, when the clamping device 110 of the embodiment is employed, even if there is variation in the thickness of the end portion of the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2, the bone-in meat 2 can be gripped reliably.

[0106] In addition, the clamping device 110 of the embodiment includes the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B having the grip pieces 40a and 40b (grip parts), and the block biasing member 60 configured to bias the second gripping block 114B in the direction in which the grip pieces 40a and 40b approach each other. For this reason, when the interval between grip pieces 40a and 40b of the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B is expanded against the biasing force of the block biasing member 60, and the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 is inserted between these grip pieces 40a and 40b, the biasing force of the block biasing member 60 increases in accordance with the increase in the opening amount of the grip pieces 40a and 40b, and the opening between the grip pieces 40a and 40b is restricted by the biasing force of the block biasing member 60. Accordingly, the clamping device 110 of the embodiment has a simple configuration and can reliably grip the bone-in meat 2 even when there is variation in thickness around the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2.

[0107] In addition, in the clamping device 110 of the embodiment, the first gripping block 114A can be fixed to the lifting device 12 (external fixed equipment), and the pivot shaft 46, which is substantially horizontal, configured to pivotably support the second gripping block 114B is provided on the first gripping block 114A. Then, the second gripping block 114B is supported on the pivot shaft 46 such that gravity is applied in a direction in which the grip piece 40b of the second gripping block 114B approaches the grip piece 40a of the first gripping block 114A. For this reason, when the bone-in meat 2 is gripped, if the second gripping block 114B is pivoted upward about the pivot shaft 46 on the side of the first gripping block 114A, the weight of the second gripping block 114B acts in a direction that brings the grip piece 40b of the second gripping block 114B closer to the grip piece 40a of the first gripping block 114A. Accordingly, when the interval between the grip pieces 40a and 40b of the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B is pressed and spread apart by the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2, in addition to the biasing force of the block biasing member 60, the weight of the second gripping block 114B is pressed against the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2.

[0108] Accordingly, when the configuration is employed, the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 can be more strongly gripped by the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B.

[0109] Further, in the clamping device 110 of the embodiment, the connecting arm 56 substantially horizontally extending toward the first gripping block 114A is provided on the second gripping block 114B, and an extension end side of the connecting arm 56 is pivotably supported on the pivot shaft 46. In this case, since the connecting arm 56 substantially horizontally extending toward the pivot shaft 46 is provided on the second gripping block 114B, the weight of the second gripping block 114B acting at the center of gravity G acts as a large moment to rotate the second gripping block 114B in the gripping direction.

[0110] Accordingly, when the configuration is employed, the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 can be more strongly gripped by the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B.

[0111] In addition, in the clamping device 110 of the embodiment, the block biasing member 60, which biases the second gripping block 114B to pivot, is disposed on the side of the second gripping block 114B which is an opposite side of the second gripping block 114B where the connecting arm 56 is extending. In this case, since the block biasing member 60 or the lower spring seat 62 is positioned farther from the pivot shaft 46, their weights act as a larger moment to rotate the second gripping block 114B in the gripping direction.

[0112] Accordingly, when the configuration is employed, while preventing the block biasing member 60 from becoming too large, the grip pieces 40a and 40b of the first gripping block 114A and the second gripping block 114B can more firmly fix the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2.

[0113] In addition, in the clamping device 110 of the embodiment, the block biasing member 60 is constituted by the compression coil spring, and the compression coil spring is disposed substantially in the tangential direction of the circle about the center axis of the pivot shaft 46. In this case, the biasing force (spring reaction force) of the compression coil spring (the block biasing member 60) can be applied efficiently around the pivot shaft 46. In addition, when the bone section b of the bone-in meat 2 is gripped, since the reaction force of the block biasing member 60 (compression coil spring) acts as a compressive load with respect to the bone section b, the block biasing member 60 is no longer subjected to the load in a fracture direction. For this reason, durability of the block biasing member 60 is further improved.

[0114] Further, in the case of the embodiment, since the block biasing member 60 is disposed along the side of the second gripping block 114B which is opposite side of the second gripping block 114B where the connecting arm 56 is extending (a left side surface of the arm base portion 43bb), the entire clamping device 110 can be made more compact.

[0115] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first gripping block 114A can be fixed to the external fixed equipment (the lifting device 12), and the second gripping block 114B is pivotably supported on the pivot shaft 46 on the side of the first gripping block 114A. However, a support structure of the first gripping block and the second gripping block is not limited thereto. For example, a base member that can be fixed to the external fixed equipment may be provided, and the first gripping block and the second gripping block may be pivotably supported on the base member. In this case, the biasing force of the block biasing member acts on the first and second gripping blocks so as to move the grip pieces (grip parts) toward each other.

[0116] Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0117] 2 Bone-in meat [0118] 2f Outer circumferential surface [0119] 10 Clamping device [0120] 12 Lifting device (external fixed equipment) [0121] 14 Gripping block [0122] 15 Displacement restricting block (displacement restricting part) [0123] 18 Plate part (clamping part) [0124] 19 Arm part [0125] 20 Concave portion (grip part) [0126] 21 Guide protrusion [0127] 22 Displacement restricting groove [0128] 24 Receiving part [0129] 25 Tapered portion [0130] 31 Biasing member [0131] 40a, 40b Grip piece (grip part) [0132] 46 Pivot shaft [0133] 56 Connecting arm [0134] 60 Block biasing member (displacement restricting part) [0135] 110 Clamping device [0136] 114A First gripping block (gripping block) [0137] 114B Second gripping block (gripping block) [0138] b Bone section [0139] m Meat section [0140] L1, L2 Pivoting axis