Patent ID: 8267449
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: B25J,B65G

Abstract:
1. A support device for pneumatic prehensile members, comprising: a support body with a distal end and a proximal end; a tubular rod moving axially in said body; a return spring between said body and said rod, wherein the tubular rod holds a suction cup at one end and which can be moved axially between a forward position, in which said tubular rod protrudes from the distal end of said body via the return spring, and a retracted position, when the suction cup rests against a surface which the suction cup grips due to one or more of intake pressure and suction pressure applied by the suction cup by means of the tubular rod, said support body having a bore with a basically constant diameter starting from the distal end and a tapered part near the proximal end, said tubular rod having a greater length than the support body and a first portion of a length of the tubular rod having an external diameter greater than a second remaining length, wherein said first portion connects with the axial bore of the support body and said second portion connects with the tapered part of said axial bore, the suction cup being applied to the free end of said first portion and suction being applied to the free end of said second portion of the tubular rod; a guide means between the movable tubular rod and the distal end of the support body for preventing one or more of torsion of said rod and rotation of said rod during longitudinal movements of said rod in said body.