JP7724596B2 - Apparatus, assembly and method for transferring sheets of frangible material - Google Patents

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,974, filed November 20, 2019, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This specification relates generally to apparatus, assemblies and methods, and more particularly to apparatus, assemblies and methods for vertically moving sheets of brittle material.

Ribbons of brittle material, such as glass ribbons, can be formed by processes such as the fusion draw process or other processes including float and slot draw. The fusion draw process produces ribbons of brittle material with surfaces that are flatter and smoother than ribbons of brittle material formed by other methods. Individual sheets of brittle material cut from ribbons formed by the fusion draw process can be used in a variety of devices, including flat panel displays, touch sensors, photovoltaic devices, and other electronic applications.

Individual sheets of brittle material may be moved to various locations. For example, in a packaging facility, sheets of brittle material may be moved between different packaging stations. These packaging stations may be at different elevation levels or floors. However, moving sheets of brittle material between different elevation levels may be difficult or may be subject to space limitations if moved at an incline.

Therefore, there is a need for alternative devices and methods for vertically moving sheets of brittle material.

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following detailed description, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

In a first aspect, the device for moving a sheet of brittle material includes a horizontal support and one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support. The horizontal support includes one or more upper edge clamping devices that clamp an upper edge of the sheet of brittle material. The one or more vertical supports include one or more side edge clamping devices that clamp a side edge of the sheet of brittle material. At least one of the one or more vertical supports is configured to be adjusted by translating at least one of the one or more vertical supports relative to the horizontal support.

In a second aspect according to the first aspect, the one or more vertical support sections include a first vertical support section connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more first side edge clamping devices that clamp a first side edge of the sheet of brittle material, and a second vertical support section connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more second side edge clamping devices that clamp a second side edge of the sheet of brittle material opposite the first side edge of the sheet of brittle material, and the distance between the first vertical support section and the second vertical support section is configured to be adjusted by translating the second vertical support section relative to the horizontal support section.

In a third aspect according to the second aspect, the device further includes a lateral movement actuator coupled to the second vertical support and configured to adjustably position the second vertical support along the horizontal support.

In a fourth aspect according to any one of the first to third aspects, the device further includes a vertical movement actuator coupled to the horizontal support and configured to translate the device along a vertical axis.

In a fifth aspect according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, at least one of the one or more top edge clamping devices, the one or more first side edge clamping devices, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices are arranged to hold the sheet of brittle material with a major surface of the sheet of brittle material oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In a sixth aspect according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the first vertical support is fixedly connected to the horizontal support.

In a seventh aspect, an assembly for moving a sheet of brittle material includes a lifting tower defining at least a first level and a second level, and a device movably supported on the lifting tower. The device includes a horizontal support including one or more upper edge clamping devices for clamping an upper edge of the sheet of brittle material, and one or more vertical supports coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping a side edge of the sheet of brittle material. At least one of the one or more vertical supports is configured to be adjusted by translating at least one of the one or more vertical supports relative to the horizontal support.

In an eighth aspect according to the seventh aspect, the one or more vertical support sections include a first vertical support section connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more first side edge clamping devices that clamp a first side edge of the sheet of brittle material, and a second vertical support section adjustably connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more second side edge clamping devices that clamp a second side edge of the sheet of brittle material opposite the first side edge of the sheet of brittle material, and the distance between the first vertical support section and the second vertical support section is adjusted by translating the second vertical support section relative to the horizontal support section.

In a ninth aspect according to the eighth aspect, the apparatus further includes a lateral movement actuator coupled to the second vertical support and configured to adjustably position the second vertical support along the horizontal support.

In a tenth aspect according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the apparatus further includes a vertical movement actuator coupled to the horizontal support and the lifting tower and configured to translate the apparatus along the lifting tower.

In an eleventh aspect according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the one or more top edge clamping devices, the one or more first side edge clamping devices, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices are arranged to hold the sheet of brittle material with a major surface of the sheet of brittle material oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In a twelfth aspect according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the first vertical support is fixedly connected to the horizontal support.

A thirteenth aspect according to any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects further includes a separation floor between the first and second levels of the lifting tower, and a slot opening is disposed in the separation floor to provide space for the device to move through the separation floor.

In a fourteenth aspect according to the thirteenth aspect, the device further includes a movable access panel configured to move over and retract from the slot opening to isolate the first level from the second level when the device is away from the slot opening.

In a fifteenth aspect according to any one of the seventh to fourteenth aspects, the second level is at least 10 meters from the bottom of the first level.

In a sixteenth aspect, a method for moving a sheet of brittle material includes engaging the sheet of brittle material with an apparatus including a horizontal support including one or more top edge clamping devices for clamping a top edge of the sheet of brittle material, and one or more vertical supports coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of brittle material, at least one of the one or more vertical supports configured to be adjusted by translating at least one of the one or more vertical supports relative to the horizontal support to provide a space to accommodate a size of the sheet of brittle material. The method further includes moving the sheet of brittle material between a first level and a second level along a lifting tower using the apparatus.
Methods including:

A seventeenth aspect according to the sixteenth aspect further includes the step of actuating the movable access panel to a first position to expose a slot opening in the separation floor between the first and second levels, thereby allowing the device to travel through the slot opening.

In an eighteenth aspect according to the seventeenth aspect, the method further includes the step of actuating the movable access panel back over the slot opening to isolate the first level from the second level after the device and the sheet of frangible material have left the slot opening.

In a 19th aspect according to any one of the 16th to 18th aspects, the one or more vertical supports include a first vertical support connected to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices that clamp a first side edge of the sheet of brittle material, and a second vertical support connected to the horizontal support in an adjustable manner and including one or more second side edge clamping devices that clamp a second side edge opposite the first side edge of the sheet of brittle material, and the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support is adjusted by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support to provide a space that accommodates the size of the sheet of brittle material.

In a twentieth aspect according to any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, the apparatus further includes a vertical movement actuator coupled to the horizontal support and the lifting tower and configured to translate the apparatus along the lifting tower.

It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter, describing various embodiments. The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation of the claimed subject matter.

1 illustrates a schematic representation of a moving assembly for a sheet of frangible material according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 10A and 10B illustrate schematic diagrams of a movable access panel that is movable over and retractable from a slot formed in a separation floor, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for transferring a sheet of frangible material according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 3B schematically illustrates the device of FIG. 3A with an adjusted width, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 3C is a schematic illustration of an engagement between the apparatus of FIGS. 3A and 3B and a lifting tower, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for transferring a sheet of frangible material according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 6A and 6B are schematic illustrations of an engagement between the apparatus of FIG. 5 and a lifting tower according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a clamping device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a clamping device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 1 is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for moving a sheet of brittle material according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

Various embodiments of the apparatus, assemblies, and methods will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to refer to the same or similar parts. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an assembly for moving a sheet of brittle material. The assembly generally includes a lift tower and a device movably supported on its moving elevator. The lift tower may define various height levels, such as a first level (e.g., the first floor of a building) and a second level (e.g., the second floor of a building). The device may move along the lift tower between the various height levels to move the sheet of brittle material from one height level to another. As described in more detail herein, the sheet of brittle material may be of various sizes (e.g., height dimensions from about 300 mm or less to about 3000 mm or more, and width dimensions from about 400 mm or less to about 3500 mm or more). To facilitate the movement of these different sized sheets, the apparatus described herein may include an adjustable frame including a horizontal support for supporting the top edge of the sheet and first and second vertical supports for supporting opposite side edges of the sheet. As described in detail below, the position of at least one of the vertical supports may be adjustable widthwise, allowing the first and second vertical supports to clamp opposite side edges of the sheet so that the sheet is supported along at least three sides. Engaging the sheet along three sides may reduce the effects of vibrations that may be transmitted to the sheet during movement. Apparatus, assemblies, and methods for moving sheets of brittle material are described in more detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Terms of direction used in this specification, such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, and bottom, refer to the drawings shown and are not intended to imply absolute orientations unless otherwise specified.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is not intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that steps be performed in a particular order or that any apparatus be in a particular orientation. Thus, where a method claim does not actually recite the order in which steps are to be performed, or where any apparatus or assembly claim does not actually recite the order or orientation of individual components, or where the claims or the specification do not limit steps to a particular order or recite a specific order or orientation of apparatus or assembly components, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred in any respect. This applies to any interpretation based on the absence of a description, including any logical considerations of the sequence of steps, operational flow, component order or component orientation, mere meaning derived from grammatical structure or punctuation, as well as the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

As used herein, indefinite and definite articles that, in their original English, indicate the singular, also include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, a component preceded by an indefinite article includes two or more of such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an assembly 100 for moving a sheet 10 of a brittle material is shown schematically. As used herein, "brittle material" refers to a material that can be broken or shattered and may include, for example, glass, glass ceramic, ceramic, etc. The sheet 10 may include a top edge 11, a first side edge 13, a second side edge 15, and a bottom edge 17. While the sheet 10 is shown as rectangular, other shapes are contemplated and possible (e.g., any regular or irregular polygonal or non-polygonal shape). The sheet 10 may have a height dimension 12 and a width dimension 14. As noted above, the sheet 10 may be a variety of sizes (e.g., a height dimension of about 300 mm or less to about 3000 mm or more, and a width dimension of about 400 mm or less to about 3500 mm or more). As described in more detail herein, the assembly 100 may be adjustable to facilitate the movement of sheets of various sizes.

The assembly 100 generally includes a lifting tower 102 and a device 130 movably supported on the lifting tower 102. The assembly 100 further includes a control unit 101, which allows an operator to control the movement of the device 130 along the lifting tower 102 and/or the adjustment of the size of the device 130, as described in more detail herein. To facilitate control of the device 130, the control unit 101 may be communicatively coupled to the device 130. The control unit 101 includes a processor and non-transitory memory stored logic (e.g., computer-readable and executable instructions) that, when executed by the processor, may, for example, cause the device 130 to grip and/or release a sheet 10, adjust the device 130 to facilitate gripping sheets of various sizes, and advance the device 130 up and/or down the lifting tower 102.

The lifting tower 102 may include a frame assembly 110 including multiple partial frame assemblies (e.g., 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 112e, 112f, etc.) stacked and tightly connected to one another. The lifting tower 102 may define at least a first level 104 and a second level 106. That is, the lifting tower 102 may be a height that spans two or more floors of a building (e.g., a packing house, warehouse, laboratory, etc.). The first level 104 and the second level 106 may extend any distance 103 from one another. In an embodiment, the second level 106 is at least 10 meters from the base 109 (or floor) of the first level 104.

The isolation floor 108 may be disposed between the first level 104 and the second level 106 of the lift tower 102 to separate the first level 104 and the second level 106. The lift tower 102 may extend through an opening in the isolation floor 108. One or more support members 122 may connect the lift tower 102 to the isolation floor 108 and stabilize the lift tower 102. The one or more support members 122 may prevent rocking or other instability within the frame assembly 110 of the lift tower 102 as the device 130 moves up and/or down the lift tower 102.

To guide the movement of the device 130 along the lift tower 102, the lift tower 102 may include one or more guide rails coupled to and extending along at least one side of the lift tower 102. That is, the one or more guide rails may extend along the frame assembly 110 to move the device 130 between the first level 104 and the second level 106 (or any additional height levels). The one or more guide rails may include a first guide rail 114a disposed along the first edge 111a of the frame assembly 110 and a second guide rail 114b disposed on the second edge 111b of the frame assembly 110. When the device 130 is placed thereon, the device 130 may simultaneously engage both the first guide rail 114a and the second guide rail 114b. Engagement with the first guide rail 114a and the second guide rail 114b can constrain the device 130 to keep it aligned with a vertical plane (e.g., the XZ plane of the illustrated coordinate axes) while moving the sheet 10 of frangible material.

To provide space for the equipment 130 to move through the separation floor 108, the separation floor 108 may include a slot opening 120 extending therethrough. Referring also to FIG. 2, a side view of the lift tower 102 extending through the separation floor 108 is shown schematically. In the illustrated embodiment, a movable access panel 180 may optionally be mounted on the separation floor 108. The movable access panel 180 may be configured to move over and retract from the slot opening 120 to isolate the first level 104 from the second level 106 when the equipment 130 is away from the slot opening 120 (i.e., when the equipment 130 is not positioned within the slot opening 120). The movable access panel 180 may be coupled to the separation floor 108 using a support frame 182 in a location proximate the slot opening 120. The movable access panel 180 may be slidably supported on a support frame 182, allowing the movable access panel 180 to slide back and forth over the slot opening 120. Movement of the movable access panel 180 may be facilitated by one or more slide actuators 184 (e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or other actuators). The one or more slide actuators 184 may be coupled to the movable access panel 180 and arranged to extend the movable access panel 180 into the slot opening 120 or retract the movable access panel 180 from above the slot opening 120. When the movable access panel 180 is positioned over the slot opening 120, the movable access panel 180 may isolate the first level 104 from the second level 106. For example, if a sheet 10 of a fragile material such as that shown in FIG. 1 is accidentally dropped, the movable access panel 180 may help prevent the sheet 180 from falling to a lower height. The operation of the movable access panel 180 may be controlled via inputs received and/or logic executed by the controller 101. That is, the controller 101 may be communicatively coupled to one or more slide actuators 184 to move the movable access panel 180 over the slot opening 120 or retract the movable access panel 180 from the slot opening 120.

3A and 3B, which show front views of the apparatus 130. The apparatus 130 generally includes a horizontal support 140 and one or more vertical supports. For example, the apparatus 130 may include a first vertical support 150a and a second vertical support 150b. One or more clamping devices (e.g., one or more top edge clamping devices and/or one or more side edge clamping devices) may be disposed along each of the horizontal support 140, the first vertical support 150a, and the second vertical support 150b. For example, the horizontal support 140 may include one or more top edge clamping devices 160a, the first vertical support 150a may include one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b, and the second vertical support 150b may include one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c. The device 130 may further include one or more lateral motion actuators 170 and one or more vertical motion actuators 175.

The horizontal support 140 may extend between a first end 142 and a second end 144 and be configured to support a horizontal edge (e.g., upper edge 11) of the sheet 10 by one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a when the sheet 10 of brittle material is placed in the apparatus 130 and clamped by the one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a. The horizontal support 140 provides a base structure or framework upon which various components of the apparatus 130 (e.g., one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a, first vertical support 150a, second vertical support 150b, etc.) rest. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a are coupled to the horizontal support 140. For example, the one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a may be coupled to the upper edge 146 of the horizontal support 140. As shown, the one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a may include a plurality of upper edge clamping devices 160a (e.g., at least two upper edge clamping devices, at least three upper edge clamping devices, at least four upper edge clamping devices, or more upper edge clamping devices). The upper edge clamping devices 160a may be regularly or irregularly spaced across the upper edge 146 of the horizontal support 140. Each upper edge clamping device 160a may be aligned along a common axis (e.g., along an axis parallel to the X-axis of the illustrated coordinate system) to engage the upper edge of the sheet 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Note that while FIG. 3A illustrates one or more upper edge clamping devices 160a attached to the upper edge 146 of the horizontal support 140, they may instead be positioned below the upper edge 146 in the −Z direction of the illustrated coordinate system.

The first vertical support 150a may be connected to and extend from the first end 142 of the horizontal support 140. The first vertical support 150a may extend from the first end 142 of the horizontal support 140 in the -Z direction of the illustrated coordinate axis. The first vertical support 150a may be rigidly connected to the horizontal support 140, such that the first vertical support 150a is immovable relative to the horizontal support 140.

One or more first side edge clamping devices 160b may be coupled to the first vertical support 150a and positioned such that the first side edge 13 of the sheet 10 of brittle material engages with the one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b when the sheet 10 is positioned in the apparatus 130, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b may include a plurality of first side edge clamping devices (e.g., at least two first side edge clamping devices, at least three first side edge clamping devices, at least four first side edge clamping devices, or more first side edge clamping devices). The first side edge clamping devices 160b may be regularly or irregularly spaced along the length of the first vertical support 150a. Each first side edge clamping device 160b can be aligned along a common axis (e.g., along an axis parallel to the Z axis of the illustrated coordinate system).

The second vertical support 150b may extend from the horizontal support 140 in the -Z direction of the illustrated coordinate system and be adjustably coupled to the horizontal support 140. For example, the second vertical support 150b may be slidably coupled to the horizontal support 140 and translated toward and away from the first vertical support 150a along the +/-X axes of the illustrated coordinate system. In particular, FIG. 3B shows the second vertical support 150b positioned away from the second end 144 of the horizontal support 140 and toward the first end 142 of the horizontal support 140 and the first vertical support 150a. By adjusting the second vertical support 150b relative to the first vertical support 150a, the apparatus 130 may be adjusted to facilitate the movement of sheets of brittle material of different sizes.

One or more second side edge clamping devices 160c may be coupled to the second vertical support 150b and positioned such that the second side edge 15 of the sheet 10 engages with the one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c when the sheet 10 is positioned in the apparatus 130, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c may include multiple second side edge clamping devices (e.g., at least two second side edge clamping devices, at least three second side edge clamping devices, at least four second side edge clamping devices, or more second side edge clamping devices). The second side edge clamping devices 160c may be regularly or irregularly spaced along the length of the second vertical support 150b. Each second side edge clamping device 160c can be aligned along a common axis (e.g., along an axis parallel to the Z axis of the illustrated coordinate system).

3A and 3B, in embodiments, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b may be arranged in positions that mirror the positions of one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c. For example, in embodiments, each of one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b may be located directly opposite one of the second side edge clamping devices 160c. Alternatively, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b may be positioned vertically offset from one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c. In embodiments, the first vertical support portion 150a and the second vertical support portion 150b may include the same number of clamping devices (e.g., at least one clamping device, at least two clamping devices, at least three clamping devices, at least four clamping devices, etc.). However, it should be understood that other arrangements are contemplated and possible, such as an arrangement in which one of the first vertical support portion 150a and the second vertical support portion 150b includes more clamping devices than the other.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 3A, to support movement of the second vertical support portion 150b relative to the first vertical support portion 150a, the horizontal support portion 140 may include one or more sliding support rails on which the second vertical support portion 150b is slidably mounted. For example, the horizontal support portion 140 may include a first sliding support rail 147a and a second sliding support rail 147b. The second vertical support portion 150b may slidably engage with the first sliding support rail 147a at a first position and with the second sliding support rail 147b at a second position that is lower than the first position in the -Z direction of the illustrated coordinate axis.

In embodiments, the second vertical support 150b may be manually positioned along one or more sliding support rails 147a, 147b to adjust the position of the second vertical support 150b relative to the first vertical support 150a. However, other embodiments are contemplated and possible. For example, in embodiments, the device 130 may include one or more lateral motion actuators 170 coupled to the second vertical support 150b and configured to adjustably position (e.g., slide) the second vertical support 150b along the horizontal support 140. The one or more lateral motion actuators 170 may include any combination of devices to translate the second vertical support 150b member along the horizontal support 140. For example, any number of motors, pulleys, gears, belts, linear actuators (e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, etc.), etc. may be used to move the second vertical support 150b along the horizontal support 140 (e.g., in the +/-X direction). One or more lateral movement actuators 170 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 101, which may execute logic to move the second vertical support 150b along the horizontal support 140 to a desired position relative to the first vertical support 150a.

If the sheet 10 has a width dimension (along the x-axis of the illustrated coordinate system) of, for example, 3500 mm, the second vertical support 150b may be translated along one or more sliding support rails 147a, 147b, thereby spacing the second vertical support 150b from the first vertical support 150a so that the first and second side edges 13, 15 (see FIG. 1) of the sheet 10 are simultaneously clamped by one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c. However, if the next sheet to be moved by the device 130 has a width dimension smaller than (or larger than) 3500 mm, the position of the second vertical support 150b may be adjusted relative to the first vertical support 150a (e.g., using one or more lateral movement actuators 170) to provide space to accommodate the next sheet dimension. This adjustability allows sheets of various sizes to be moved using device 130.

Note that while the first vertical support 150a has been shown and described as being fixedly connected to the horizontal support 140, it is contemplated that the first vertical support 150a may be adjustably mounted on the horizontal support 140, similar to the manner described for the second vertical support 150b. That is, both the first vertical support 150a and the second vertical support 150b may be movable along the horizontal support 140, providing dual adjustability.

4, the device 130 is shown mounted on the lifting tower 102, with a portion of the lifting tower 102 removed to further illustrate the device 130. In particular, one or more vertical motion actuators 175 may be coupled to the horizontal support 140 (e.g., via a mounting bracket 143). The vertical motion actuators 175 may be any device configured and arranged to move the device 130 along a vertical axis (e.g., an axis parallel to the +/- Z axis of the illustrated coordinate system). The vertical motion actuators 175 may include any combination of devices to move the device 130 along the lifting tower 102. For example, any number of motors, pulleys, gears, belts, linear actuators (e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, etc.), etc. may be used to move the device 130 along the lifting tower 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical motion actuator 175 includes a driven pinion gear 182 (e.g., a driven cam gear) that may be driven by a motor (not shown). The driven pinion gear 182 may engage a rack 127 that extends between the first and second guide rails 114a, 114b along the lifting tower 102 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1). The driven pinion gear 182 may rotate to cause the device 130 to ascend and/or descend the rack 127 and travel to different elevation levels along the lifting tower 102. The vertical motion actuator 175 is communicatively coupled to the controller 101, such that the controller 101 may execute logic to move the device 130 to a desired position along the lifting tower 102.

As described above, the lifting tower 102 may include one or more guide rails 114a, 114b. The one or more guide rails 114a, 114b may be arranged on either side of the rack 127. The horizontal support 140 may be slidably coupled to the one or more guide rails 114a, 114b to maintain the alignment of the device 130 with respect to the lifting tower 102. For example, the horizontal support 140 may be slidably coupled to the first guide rail 114a and the second guide rail 114b. The first and second guide rails 114a, 114b may help maintain the vertical alignment of the device 130 with respect to the lifting tower 102.

Referring now to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative apparatus 130'. The alternative apparatus 130' is similar to the apparatus 130 described above. However, in this embodiment, the horizontal support 140' is enlarged to support the first and second vertical motion actuators 175a', 175b'. Furthermore, the enlarged horizontal support 140' may provide additional support to the first vertical support 150a' and the second vertical support 150b', providing additional overall rigidity to the alternative apparatus 130'. For example, the horizontal support 140' may include a plurality of frame members 145' to which the first vertical support 150a' and the second vertical support 150b' are connected. The first vertical support 150a' may be connected to a plurality of spaced horizontal frame members 148' to define a first end 142' of the horizontal support 140'. The multiple spaced horizontal frame members 148' may connect to and support the first vertical support 150a' at multiple locations, allowing a substantial majority (e.g., greater than 50%) of the overall length of the first vertical support 150a' to be supported by the horizontal support 140' along the Z-axis. Additionally, the enlarged horizontal support 140' may allow one or more sliding support rails (e.g., 147a', 147b') to be positioned along the length of the second vertical support 150b' to provide a greater range of support along the Z-axis. This increased range of support may facilitate smoother movement of the second vertical support 150b' by providing support closer to the lower vertical end 151' of the second vertical support 150b'.

6, which illustrates an alternative apparatus 130' mounted on the lifting tower 102. FIG. 6 does not illustrate portions of the lifting tower 102 to further illustrate portions of the alternative apparatus 130'. As shown in the rear perspective view of the alternative apparatus 130' in FIG. 6, the alternative apparatus 130' includes a first vertical motion actuator 175a' and a second vertical motion actuator 175b'. The first and second vertical motion actuators 175a', 175b' may be identical to the vertical motion actuator 175 described with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the first and second vertical motion actuators 175a', 175b' may include any number of motors, pulleys, gears, belts, linear actuators (e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, etc.), etc., that may be used to move the alternative apparatus 130' along the lifting tower 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the second vertical motion actuator 175b′ may be identical to and disposed below the first vertical motion actuator 175a′. For example, each of the first and second vertical motion actuators 175a′, 175b′ may include a driven pinion gear 182′ (e.g., a driven cam gear) that may be driven by a motor (not shown). The driven pinion gear 182′ may engage with a rack 127 that extends between the first and second guide rails 114a, 114b along the lifting tower 102. The driven pinion gears 182′ may rotate in unison with one another to cause the alternate devices 130′ to ascend and/or descend the rack 127, thereby traveling to different elevation levels along the lifting tower 102. In embodiments, the first and second vertical motion actuators 175a', 175b' may be communicatively coupled to the controller 101, which may execute logic to move the alternate device 130' to a desired position along the lifting tower 102. The first and second vertical motion actuators 175a', 175b' may facilitate moving a larger mass up and/or down the lifting tower 102 than would be possible using a single vertical motion actuator. However, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, only a single vertical motion actuator may be used. Note that in this embodiment, one or more vertical motion actuators 175a', 175b' may be positioned more centrally on the alternate device 130' with respect to the height dimension of the alternate device 130' (i.e., the +/- Z direction of the coordinate axes shown in the drawings) to provide additional stability.

In any illustrated embodiment, the one or more top edge clamping devices 160a, the one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c can be substantially similar to one another. For example, the clamping devices can include any device configured to attach to and hold the edge of the sheet 10 of frangible material. Such a clamping device can include a suction device that engages a single major surface of the sheet 10, or a gripping device that engages both major surfaces of the sheet 10. As used herein, the term "major surface" refers to a major planar surface of the sheet (e.g., the front or back surface of the sheet).

For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a first type of clamping device that can be used as either a side edge clamping device or a top edge clamping device. The first type of clamping device illustrated in FIG. 7 is a pivoting clamping portion 162. The pivoting clamping portion 162 may include a stationary arm portion 166 and a pivoting arm portion 164 that pivots relative to the stationary arm portion 166. During operation, the pivoting arm portion 164 may pivot about a pivot axis 165 from an open position to a closed position to clamp an edge of the sheet 10 located between the stationary arm portion 166 and the pivoting arm portion 164. Similarly, during release, the pivoting arm portion 164 may pivot from a closed position to an open position to release the sheet 10. The pivoting arm portion 164 and the stationary arm portion 166 may include a clamping material 168 (e.g., rubber or a similar material) to securely hold the sheet 10 without damaging the brittle material of the sheet 10. The pivoting jaws 162 may be automated using an actuator 163 and controllable via the controller 101. That is, the controller 101 may be communicatively coupled to the pivoting jaws 162 to control the movement of the pivoting jaws 162, thereby clamping or releasing the sheet 10 of frangible material. In particular, the actuator 163 may facilitate the pivoting of the pivoting arm 164 relative to the stationary arm 166.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second type of clamping device that can be used as either a side edge clamping device or a top edge clamping device. The second type of clamping device illustrated in FIG. 8 is a sliding clamp 172. The sliding clamp 172 can include a first arm 174 and a second arm 176. The first arm 174 and the second arm 176 can be coupled to each other using an actuator 173, such as an actuated slider, configured to pivot at least one of the first arm 174 and the second arm 176 toward the other to clamp the sheet of brittle material 10 therebetween. Similar to the pivoting clamp 162 described above, each of the first arm 174 and the second arm 176 can include a clamping material 178 (e.g., rubber or a similar material) to securely hold the sheet of brittle material 10 without damaging it. The actuator of the sliding clamping unit 172 may be controllable via the control unit 101. That is, the control unit 101 is communicatively coupled to the sliding clamping unit 172 and can control the movement of the sliding clamping unit 172 to clamp or release the sheet 10.

1, as described herein, one or more of the top edge clamping devices 160a, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b, and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c may include one or more pivoting clamps and/or one or more sliding clamps. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the top edge clamping devices 160a, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b, and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c are all pivoting clamps. Alternatively, one or more of the top edge clamping devices 160a, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b, and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c are all sliding clamps. In an embodiment, one or more of the top edge clamping devices 160a are pivoting clamps, and one or more of the first side edge clamping devices 160b and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c are sliding clamps, or vice versa. The clamping devices may operate simultaneously or independently. The one or more top edge clamping devices 160a, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b, and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c are arranged to hold the sheet 10 of brittle material disposed in the apparatus 130 with a major surface of the sheet 10 oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal axis (e.g., an axis parallel to the Z-axis of the illustrated coordinate system) when engaged with the sheet 10.

9, a flowchart of a method 200 for moving a sheet 10 of brittle material is shown. Note that while various steps are shown in a particular order, more or fewer steps may be included in any particular order without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Method 200 may include, at step 202, engaging a sheet 10 of brittle material with apparatus 130. Step 202 may include adjusting second vertical support 150b to provide space to accommodate the size of sheet 10 by moving second vertical support 150b along horizontal support 140 (e.g., using lateral movement actuator 170). 1-5, for example, a large sheet may require moving the second vertical support 150b toward the second end 144 of the horizontal support 140, while a smaller sheet may require moving the second vertical support 150b away from the second end 144 of the horizontal support 140 toward the first vertical support 150a so as to be able to engage at least three edges of the sheet 10. During engagement, one or more top edge clamping devices 160a may be operated (e.g., by the control unit 101) to clamp the top edge 11 of the sheet 10 (e.g., outside of the high quality region of the sheet 10). Similarly, one or more first side edge clamping devices 160b may be operated (e.g., by the control unit 101) to clamp the first side edge 13 of the sheet 10, and one or more second side edge clamping devices 160c may be operated to clamp the second side edge 15 of the sheet 10. Therefore, three edges of the sheet 10 can be supported by the horizontal support portion 140, the first vertical support portion 150a, and the second vertical support portion 150b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 130 can orient the sheet 10 so that a major surface of the sheet 10 is generally parallel to a vertical axis (e.g., an axis parallel to the Z axis of the illustrated coordinate system). Referring collectively to FIGS. 1 and 9, at step 204, the method 200 further includes using the device 130 (e.g., using the vertical motion actuator 175) to move the sheet 10 along the lifting tower 102 between the first level 104 and the second level 106. Moving the sheet 10 so that its major surface is oriented generally parallel to the vertical axis allows the sheet 10 to fall vertically if accidentally dropped. However, if the sheet 10 is tilted relative to the vertical axis, the sheet 10 will fall downward and away from the transfer tower, which may be undesirable. Additionally, moving the sheet 10 in a vertical orientation can further conserve space, for example, by forming a narrower slot opening.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, at step 206, the method 200 further includes actuating the movable access panel 180 to a first position to expose the slot opening 120 in the separation floor 108 between the first level 104 and the second level 106 and allow the device 130 to travel through the slot opening 120. At step 208, the method 200 further includes actuating the movable access panel 180 back over the slot opening 120 after the device 130 and sheet 10 have cleared the slot opening 120 to isolate the first level 104 from the second level 106.

It should be understood that the present disclosure relates to a mobile assembly, an apparatus, and a method. The mobile assembly described herein generally includes a lift tower and an apparatus movably supported on a mobile elevator. The lift tower may define various height levels, such as a first level (e.g., the first floor) and a second level (e.g., the second floor). The apparatus may move between the various height levels along the lift tower to move the sheet from one height level to another. As noted above, the sheet may be of various sizes (e.g., height dimensions from about 300 mm or less to about 3000 mm or more, and width dimensions from about 400 mm or less to about 3500 mm or more). To easily handle sheets of these different sizes, the apparatus includes an adjustable frame including a horizontal support portion that supports the upper edge of the sheet and first and second vertical support portions. The position of at least one of the vertical support members can be adjusted widthwise, and the first and second vertical support members can clamp both side edges of the sheet so that the sheet is supported along at least three sides.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, this specification is intended to cover modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below.

Embodiment 1
1. An apparatus for transferring sheets of brittle material, comprising:
a horizontal support including one or more upper edge clamping devices for clamping an upper edge of the sheet of frangible material;
one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of frangible material;
The apparatus, wherein at least one of the one or more vertical supports is configured to be adjusted by translating the at least one of the one or more vertical supports relative to the horizontal support.

Embodiment 2
The one or more vertical supports include:
a first vertical support coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices for clamping a first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
a second vertical support connected to the horizontal support and including one or more second side edge clamping devices for clamping a second side edge of the sheet of brittle material opposite the first side edge of the sheet of brittle material;
2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to adjust the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support.

Embodiment 3
a lateral-motion actuator coupled to the second vertical support and configured to adjustably position the second vertical support along the horizontal support;
3. The device of embodiment 2, further comprising:

Embodiment 4
a vertical motion actuator coupled to the horizontal support and configured to translate the device along a vertical axis;
3. The device of embodiment 2, further comprising:

Embodiment 5
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more top edge clamping devices, the one or more first side edge clamping devices, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices are arranged to hold the sheet of brittle material with a major surface of the sheet of brittle material oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal axis.

Embodiment 6
3. The apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein the first vertical support is fixedly connected to the horizontal support.

Embodiment 7
In a moving assembly of a sheet of brittle material,
a lift tower defining at least a first level and a second level;
and a device movably supported on the lifting tower, the device comprising:
a horizontal support including one or more upper edge clamping devices for clamping an upper edge of the sheet of frangible material;
one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of frangible material;
An assembly wherein at least one of the one or more vertical supports is configured to be adjusted by translating at least one of the one or more vertical supports relative to the horizontal support.

Embodiment 8
The one or more vertical supports include:
a first vertical support coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices for clamping a first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
a second vertical support section adjustably connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more second side edge clamping devices for clamping a second side edge of the sheet of frangible material opposite the first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support is adjusted by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support.

Embodiment 9
9. The assembly of embodiment 8, wherein the apparatus further includes a lateral movement actuator coupled to the second vertical support and configured to adjustably position the second vertical support along the horizontal support.

EMBODIMENT 10
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the device further includes a vertical motion actuator coupled to the horizontal support and the lifting tower and configured to translate the device along the lifting tower.

Embodiment 11
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more top edge clamping devices, the one or more first side edge clamping devices, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices are arranged to hold the sheet of fragile material with a major surface of the sheet of fragile material oriented approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis.

EMBODIMENT 12
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the first vertical support is fixedly connected to the horizontal support.

EMBODIMENT 13
a separation floor between the first level and the second level of the lift tower;
Further including,
8. The assembly of embodiment 7, wherein a slot opening is disposed in the separation floor to provide space for the device to move through the separation floor.

EMBODIMENT 14
a movable access panel configured to move over and retract from the slot opening to isolate the first level from the second level when the device is clear of the slot opening;
14. The assembly of embodiment 13, further comprising:

Embodiment 15
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the second level is at least 10 meters from the bottom of the first level.

EMBODIMENT 16
1. A method for transporting a sheet of brittle material, comprising:
engaging the sheet of brittle material with an apparatus comprising a horizontal support including one or more top edge clamping devices for clamping a top edge of the sheet of brittle material, and one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of brittle material;
at least one of the one or more vertical supports is configured to be adjusted by translating the at least one of the one or more vertical supports relative to the horizontal support to provide a space to accommodate a size of the sheet of frangible material;
The method further comprises:
moving said sheet of frangible material along a lifting tower between a first level and a second level with said apparatus.

EMBODIMENT 17
actuating a movable access panel to a first position to expose a slot opening in a separation floor between said first level and said second level, thereby allowing said device to travel through said slot opening;
17. The method of embodiment 16, further comprising:

EMBODIMENT 18
after the device and the sheet of friable material have cleared the slot opening, actuating the movable access panel back over the slot opening to isolate the first level from the second level;
18. The method of embodiment 17, further comprising:

EMBODIMENT 19
The one or more vertical supports include:
a first vertical support coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices for clamping a first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
a second vertical support section adjustably connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more second side edge clamping devices for clamping a second side edge of the sheet of frangible material opposite the first side edge;
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support is configured to be adjusted by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support to provide a space to accommodate a size of the sheet of frangible material.

Embodiment 20
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the apparatus further includes a vertical motion actuator coupled to the horizontal support and the lifting tower and configured to translate the apparatus along the lifting tower.

102 Lifting tower 108 Separation floor 110 Frame assembly 140 Horizontal support 150a, 150b Vertical support 162 Pivoting jaw 164 Pivoting arm 166 Stationary arm 172 Sliding jaw 174 First arm 176 Second arm 175 Vertical movement actuator 180 Movable access panel 184 Sliding actuator

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus for transferring sheets of brittle material, comprising:
a horizontal support including one or more upper edge clamping devices for clamping an upper edge of the sheet of frangible material;
one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of brittle material, wherein the one or more vertical supports include:
a first vertical support coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices for clamping a first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
a second vertical support portion connected to the horizontal support portion and including one or more second side edge clamping devices for clamping a second side edge of the sheet of brittle material opposite the first side edge of the sheet of brittle material;
and
the first vertical support is fixed to an end of the horizontal support and is immovable relative to the horizontal support;
the second vertical support is slidably connected to the horizontal support;
an apparatus configured to adjust the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support . a lateral-motion actuator coupled to the second vertical support and configured to adjustably position the second vertical support along the horizontal support;
The device of claim 1 further comprising: a vertical motion actuator coupled to the horizontal support and configured to translate the device along a vertical axis;
The device of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more top edge clamping devices, the one or more first side edge clamping devices, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices are arranged to hold the sheet of brittle material with a major surface of the sheet of brittle material oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis. In a moving assembly of a sheet of brittle material,
a lift tower defining at least a first level and a second level;
and a device movably supported on the lifting tower, the device comprising:
a horizontal support including one or more upper edge clamping devices for clamping an upper edge of the sheet of frangible material;
one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of frangible material;
The one or more vertical supports include:
a first vertical support coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices for clamping a first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
a second vertical support section adjustably connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more second side edge clamping devices for clamping a second side edge of the sheet of frangible material opposite the first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
and
the first vertical support is fixed to an end of the horizontal support and is immovable relative to the horizontal support;
the second vertical support is slidably connected to the horizontal support;
the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support is adjusted by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support . 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the apparatus further includes a lateral movement actuator coupled to the second vertical support and configured to adjustably position the second vertical support along the horizontal support. 7. The assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein the apparatus further comprises a vertical motion actuator coupled to the horizontal support and the lifting tower and configured to translate the apparatus along the lifting tower. 8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more top edge clamping devices, the one or more first side edge clamping devices, and the one or more second side edge clamping devices are arranged to hold the sheet of frangible material with a major surface of the sheet of frangible material oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis. 1. A method for transporting a sheet of brittle material, comprising:
engaging the sheet of brittle material with an apparatus comprising a horizontal support including one or more top edge clamping devices for clamping a top edge of the sheet of brittle material, and one or more vertical supports connected to the horizontal support and including one or more side edge clamping devices for clamping side edges of the sheet of brittle material;
The one or more vertical supports include:
a first vertical support coupled to the horizontal support and including one or more first side edge clamping devices for clamping a first side edge of the sheet of frangible material;
a second vertical support section adjustably connected to the horizontal support section and including one or more second side edge clamping devices for clamping a second side edge of the sheet of frangible material opposite the first side edge;
and
the first vertical support is fixed to an end of the horizontal support and is immovable relative to the horizontal support;
the second vertical support is slidably connected to the horizontal support;
a distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support configured to be adjusted by translating the second vertical support relative to the horizontal support to provide a space to accommodate a size of the sheet of frangible material;
The method further comprises:
moving said sheet of frangible material along a lifting tower between a first level and a second level with said apparatus. actuating a movable access panel to a first position to expose a slot opening in a separation floor between said first level and said second level, thereby allowing said device to travel through said slot opening;
The method of claim 9 further comprising: after the device and the sheet of friable material have cleared the slot opening, actuating the movable access panel back over the slot opening to isolate the first level from the second level;
The method of claim 10 further comprising: 12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises a vertical motion actuator coupled to the horizontal support and the lifting tower and configured to translate the apparatus along the lifting tower .