Vacuum cup with precision hard stop
US6502808B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49998
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for holding a part on a fixture in a precisely known predetermined position includes pressing a surface of the part against a vacuum head and sealing an annular elastomeric sealing ring against the part surface. A valve button of a valve is engaged by the part surface to open the valve and establish communication between a vacuum source. The part is pulled by the vacuum against a hard stop in the vacuum head having a fixed precisely known relationship to said vacuum head reference surface. The hard-stop can be mounted in the base of the vacuum head for pivoting about at least one axis to self-align the hard-stop face with the part face.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.