GB2124173A

GB2124173A - Sheet material handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2124173A
Application number: GB08318976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Henry Hawkins
Original assignee: PLANTERS POWERGRIND
Current assignee: PLANTERS POWERGRIND
Priority date: 1982-07-16
Filing date: 1983-07-13
Publication date: 1984-02-15
Also published as: GB2124173B; GB8318976D0

Abstract

Apparatus for handling sheet material especially sheet or plate glass e.g. between a stack (S) and conveyor (2) is provided in which a carriage (14) travelling on support structure (11) pivotally carries an extendible and retractable assembly (4) for engaging and releasing a glass sheet (G) by suction heads (400). The assembly (4) is shown consisting of a frame (42) pivoted (at 41) to the carriage (14) and linked (at 44) to a further frame (40) carrying the suction heads (400) for a parallelogrammic extending and retracting action. In use the assembly (4) is retracted and swung to the upright position for extension against the stack (S) for suction engagement with the outermost sheet after which retraction of the assembly (4) and swing back over the conveyor (2) enables the glass sheet to be released after extension of the assembly (4) down to the conveyor (2). Converse operation effects transfer of a sheet from the conveyor (2) to the stack (S). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sheet material handling apparatus The object of this invention is to provide apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material especially sheet or plate glass from one position such as from a substantially vertical or stacked position to a further position, e.g. a generally horizontal position such as on to a conveyor and vice versa. A particular object is to provide such apparatus having a compact or space saving operating action with a resulting short cycle of operation in successively handling sheets of material or glass. These and other practical advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to this invention apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material such as sheet or plate glass is characterised by support structure carrying a carriage for movement towards and away from a position such as a substantially vertical or stacked location of the sheet material said carriage pivotally carrying relatively extendible and retractable sheet material engaging means whereby said means can be extended from the carriage for engaging (or releasing) sheet material or retracted towards the carriage for pivotal movement therefrom in effecting angular movement of the sheet material between required positions of the latter.

A practical example of the apparatus for handling or transferring sheet or plate glass is indicated in the accompanying drawing which is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in relation to a stacking location of the glass and a horizontal conveyor.

Support structure or framework 10 of the apparatus 1 is shown arranged transversely over a horizontal conveyor 2 and adjacent and alongside stacked location S of the glass sheets G on a rack 3 for the latter whereby the stacked sheets G have some inclination from the vertical away from the apparatus 1 and conveyor 2, i.e. for safe stacking.

The apparatus 1 includes a transverse beam 11 mounted from the supporting framework 10, the beam 11 being inclined so as to be substantially at right angles to the inclined stack S of glass sheets G with provision for adjustment as described later.

The beam 11 carries a carriage 14 for movement towards and away from the stack S which carriage 14 in turn pivotally carries extendible and retractable means 4 including a frame 40 for engaging or releasing a glass sheet, i.e. by means of suction heads 400.

In the example shown the extendible and retractable means 4 consists of a frame 42 pivotally carried at 41 by the carriage 14 and pivotally connected by links 44 to the suction head frame 40 in a parallelogram manner.

This assembly is operable from the extended position shown to a retracted position in which the suction head frame 40 is brought closer to the pivoted frame 42 with some relative transverse movement and vice versa, i.e. as the parallelogrammic arrangement of the frames 40, 42 and links 44 is extended or retracted.

In removing a sheet of glass from stack S on to the conveyor 2 the cycle of operation is as follows:- The parallelogrammic assembly 4 in a retracted condition is swung clockwise about the pivotal mounting 41 to an upright position with some inclination so as to be substantially parallel with the inclined stack S and the carriage 14 is advanced along the beam 11 towards the stack S.

The parallelogrammic assembly 4 is then extended with a downward swinging movement of the links 44 which brings the suction heads 400 of the frame 40 against and in register with the outermost sheet of glass of the stack S, i.e. at the position indicated by the points Al and B1.

The suction heads 400 are operated to grip the glass whereupon the parallelogrammic assembly 4 is retracted to raise the suction head frame 40 and sheet of glass carried thereby to an upper position, i.e. at points A2, B2. This action raises the lower edge of the frame 40 and sheet of glass clear of the conveyor 2 and the carriage 14 is moved back so that the frame 40 and glass sheet assume the position indicated at A3, B3. With the parallelogrammic assembly 4 still retracted, the assembly is swung to the substantially horizontal position so that the frame 40 and glass sheet carried thereby assume the position at points A4, B4.

Thereafter extension of the parallelogrammic assembly 4 positions the glass sheet closely over the conveyor 2 at points A5, B5 for release thereon from the suction heads 400.

When it is desired to off-load a sheet of glass from the conveyor 2 to a stack S, the converse of the above described cycle of operation is followed.

As will be apparent from the foregoing the extendible and retractable action of the parallelogrammic assembly 4 can be effected quite rapidly in conjunction with a short extent of travelling movement of the carriage 14 so that the whole cycle of movement of a sheet of glass from the stack S to the conveyor 2 or vice versa can be quickly carried out. Furthermore, and again due to the action of the parallelogrammic assembly 4, the apparatus 1 and conveyor 2 can be closely situated in relation to the stack S since the assembly 4 is retracted during its swinging movement from the upright to the horizontal positions. In addition and as already mentioned the retracting action of the assembly 4 also raises the suction head frame 40 and a glass sheet carried thereby clear of the conveyor 2 prior to such swinging movement.

As well as the saving in floor space, the short time operating cycles enable sheets of glass to be placed on the conveyor 2 sequentially with a minimum of spacing or gap between the sheets on the conveyor 2 as they proceed to cutting and/or other processing.

Having regard to variation in the angle of stacking of the glass sheets G which can occur and in order to maintain the beam 11 at right angles thereto, the beam 11 is pivotally mounted at 110 from the support frame 10 and actuated for angular adjustment about the pivotal mounting by a pneumatic or other suitable actuator at 100 controlled by a sensing circuit responsive to the contact of the suction heads 400 with the outermost glass sheet of the stack S.

The carriage 14 and the extendible and retractable means 4 can be operated in timed relationship by any suitable actuating mechanism such as fluid pressure operated (e.g.

pneumatic) means and with appropriately timed operation of the suction heads 400.

Claims

1. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material such as sheet or plate glass characterised by support structure carrying a carriage for movement towards and away from a position such as a substantially vertical or stacked location of the sheet material, said carriage pivotally carrying relatively extendible and retractable sheet material engaging means whereby said means can be extended from the carriage for engaging (or releasing) sheet material or retracted towards the carriage for pivotal movement therefrom in effecting angular movement of the sheet material between required positions of the latter.

2. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material according to claim 1 wherein the extendible and retractable sheet material engaging means is pivotally movable from the carriage to a substantially horizontal position e.g. over a conveyor in relation to which the apparatus is situated for engaging or releasing sheet material at said substantially horizontal position.

3. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the extendible and retractable sheet material engaging means when retracted is adapted to be swung about its pivotal mounting from the carriage to a substantially upright position for travelling movement with the carriage and also extension against a substantially upright stacked location of sheet material for engaging the outermost sheet of the latter and then retracted with said sheet for travel back with the carriage for pivotal swing back to a substantially horizontal position e.g.

over a conveyor for release thereat of the sheet from said means after extension of the latter, the converse of the above operation of the apparatus enabling a sheet of material to be engaged at the substantially horizontal position or conveyor and transferred to the substantially upright stacked location for release thereat.

4. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the extendible and retractable sheet material engaging means comprises a member or frame pivotally carried by the carriage and pivotally connected by links in a parallelogrammic manner to a further member or frame carrying sheet material engaging devices such as suction heads for releasable engagement with the sheet material, the further member or frame being extendible or retractable relative to the first-mentioned member or frame by the parallelogrammic action of the links.

5. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support structure carrying the carriage is inclined for travelling movement of the carriage substantially at right angles to a substantially upright stacked location of sheet material having some inclination from the vertical.

6. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material according to claim 5 wherein the inclination of the support structure is adjustable according to the inclination of the substantially upright stacked location of sheet material from the vertical.

7. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material according to claim 6 wherein the support structure is operable for adjustment of its inclination by an actuator responsive to the engagement of the extendible and retractable sheet material engaging means with sheet material in the substantially upright stacked location of the latter.

8. Apparatus for handling or transferring sheet material such as sheet or plate glass substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.