| 摘要 |
691,561. Suction appliances for handling loads. BILLNER, K. P. Dec. 28, 1950. [Feb. 1, 1950] No. 31467/50. Class 78 (iv). Valves 36 (Fig. 4) controlling the suction connections of a plurality of flexibly connected hollow sucker mats 12 for gripping a load are each opened when a corresponding feeler 38 projecting beyond the face of the work-engaging gasket 22 of the mat engages the work. Each of the three mats 12 shown in bottom plan in Fig. 2 is formed with a suction chamber 14 defined by deformable gaskets 16 (Fig. 4) adhesively secured between locating strips 18 and 20 to a common flexible lifting frame 10 and is provided with a limp sealing flap 22 for engaging the work. Each valve 36 is carried on a lever 32 pivoted between brackets 30 on the frame 10 and projecting at 38 beyond the face of the flap 22 ; thus as each lever 32 is brought into contact with the surface of the work the corresponding chamber 14 is exhausted. In one alternative construction the mats 12 are disposed radially on the frame, which is shaped for engagement with a curved surface, and are formed as trapeziums with radial sides separated by radial slots cut in the frame 10 between adjacent mats. In a construction for engaging the sides of a submarine vessel square mats are disposed in rows and columns on a vertical rectangular frame which is formed between each column with a tapering slot extending from the bottom of the frame to within a short distance from the top. In all these constructions the suction connections to the mats preferably include flexible portions permitting relative movement of the mats. The pivots of the levers 32 are preferably nearer to the valves than to the workengaging ends so that the valves are not opened fully until sealing is complete, and the valves may normally be biased towards their seats by the pressure difference across them. |
