Override for an automatic release vacuum device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10823223-B2
Application number	US-201615052047-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2016
Priority date	Mar 3, 2015
Publication date	Nov 3, 2020
Grant date	Nov 3, 2020

Abstract

A vacuum cup assembly has a vacuum device with a vacuum passageway and a venturi. A vacuum cup is configured to engage an object. The venturi generates an at least partial vacuum at the vacuum cup when the vacuum cup is engaged with an object. The vacuum cup seals against the object when the venturi device generates the at least partial vacuum. A noise reducing device is at a discharge of the venturi. The noise reducing device has a housing defining a chamber, a plurality of spaced exit openings and a movable cap. Air discharged at the venturi is diverted in the chamber and flows out through the exit openings. The movable cap covers the exit opening to override the vacuum to enable the vacuum cup to be positioned or repositioned on the object.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cup assembly comprising:
a vacuum device adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, said vacuum device having a vacuum passageway and a venturi positioned within said vacuum device;
a vacuum cup configured to engage an object;
said pressurized air supply being activatable to force pressurized air through said venturi to generate an at least partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway and at the vacuum cup when the vacuum cup is engaged with an object, the pressurized air flowing through the venturi and drawing air from the vacuum passageway and into the venturi via at least one vacuum port of the venturi;
the vacuum cup is configured to substantially seal against the object when the venturi generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway;
a noise reducing device at a discharge of the venturi nozzle, the noise reducing device comprising a housing defining a chamber, a plurality of spaced exit openings positioned about the housing and a movable cap, air discharged at the venturi is diverted in the chamber and flows out through the plurality of spaced exit openings; and
the movable cap is movable to cover the plurality of spaced exit openings to override the vacuum, enabling the vacuum cup to be positioned or repositioned on the object.

2. The vacuum cup of claim 1 , wherein the movable cap moves on an inner surface of the housing.

3. The vacuum cup of claim 2 , wherein the movable cap defines a portion of the chamber.

4. The vacuum cup of claim 2 , further comprising a biasing member in the housing moving the movable cap to a first position.

5. The vacuum cup of claim 2 , wherein the movable cap includes exit apertures.

6. The vacuum cup of claim 1 , wherein the movable cap moves on an exterior surface of the housing.

7. The vacuum cup of claim 6 , wherein the movable cap includes a plurality of exit apertures, in a first position, the plurality of exit aperture are aligned with the plurality of spaced exit openings on the housing and in a second position, the movable cap covers the plurality of spaced exit openings on the housing.

8. The vacuum cup of claim 6 , further comprising a biasing member on the movable cap to return the movable cap to its first position.

9. The vacuum cup of claim 6 , further comprising a latch mechanism for securing with the housing for retaining the movable cap on the housing.

10. A vacuum assembly comprising:
a vacuum device adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, said vacuum device having a vacuum passageway and a venturi positioned within said vacuum device;
said pressurized air supply being activatable to force pressurized air through said venturi to generate an at least partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway, the pressurized air flowing through the venturi and drawing air from the vacuum passageway and into the venturi via at least one vacuum port of the venturi;
a diffuser device at a discharge of the venturi nozzle, the diffuser device comprising a housing defining a chamber, a plurality of spaced exit openings positioned about the housing and a movable cap, air discharged at the venturi is diverted in the chamber and flows out through the plurality of spaced exit openings; and
the movable cap is movable to cover the plurality of spaced exit openings to override the vacuum wherein a vacuum cup is enabled to be positioned or repositioned on an object.

11. The vacuum assembly of claim 10 , wherein the movable cap moves on an inner surface of the housing.

12. The vacuum assembly of claim 11 , wherein the movable cap defines a portion of the chamber.

13. The vacuum assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a biasing member in the housing moving the movable cap to a first position.

14. The vacuum assembly of claim 11 , wherein the movable cap includes exit apertures.

15. The vacuum assembly of claim 10 , wherein the movable cap moves on an exterior surface of the housing.

16. The vacuum assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a biasing member on the movable cap to return the movable cap to its first position.

17. The vacuum assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a latch mechanism for securing with the housing for retaining the movable cap on the housing.

18. A vacuum assembly comprising:
a vacuum device adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, said vacuum device having a vacuum passageway and a venturi positioned within said vacuum device;
said pressurized air supply being activatable to force pressurized air through said venturi to generate an at least partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway, the pressurized air flowing through the venturi and drawing air from the vacuum passageway and into the venturi via at least one vacuum port of the venturi;
a diffuser device at a discharge of the venturi nozzle, the diffuser device comprising a housing defining a chamber, a plurality of spaced exit openings positioned about the housing and a movable cap, air discharged at the venturi is diverted in the chamber and flows out through the plurality of spaced exit openings; and
the movable cap is movable to cover the plurality of spaced exit openings to override the vacuum wherein a vacuum cup is enabled to be positioned or repositioned on an object;
the movable cap includes a plurality of exit apertures, in a first position, the plurality of exit aperture are aligned with the plurality of spaced exit openings on the housing and in a second position, the movable cap covers the plurality of spaced exit openings on the housing.

Assignees

• Capital Formation Inc

Inventors

• Perlman Maurice
• Dellach Kenneth Paul
• Jennings Benjamin

Classifications

• B25J15/0675 Primary

  of the ejector type · CPC title

• B66C1/0268

  Venturi effect · CPC title

• B66C1/0256

  Operating and control devices · CPC title

• B65G47/91

  incorporating pneumatic, e.g. suction, grippers · CPC title

• F04F5/20

  for evacuating · CPC title