Pneumatic slide assembly for material handling

A pneumatic material handling slide assembly and method is provided to accommodate work pieces of various sizes at a manufacturing site. The assembly includes a lower base plate fixed to the floor and an upper plate slidably mounted on top of the lower plate. An air pocket is provided in the lower surface of the upper plate. Compressed air can be supplied to the air pocket to lift the upper plate and associated material handling equipment for sliding along the lower base plate. Locks are provided on the upper plate to secure the upper plate in a desired position along the lower plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sliding assembly and method for material handling for use in various industries, including manufacturing, commercial business, automotive shops, maintenance and repair facilities, and other enterprises which hold, support, move, and handle products of all types. The assembly and method accommodates work pieces and objects having various lengths, and provides an easy, safe, and effective movement of face plates for holding and supporting the work pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many businesses such as, manufacturing, often require the handling of work pieces and materials having various sizes and shapes which must be held and supported for performance of various work operations. Conventional equipment often utilizes supports or face plates at each end of the work piece, with one or both of the face plates being moveable along tracks so as to accommodate different length work pieces. The tracks often run along the floor of the work site, particularly for heavy pieces. Linear bearings are provided on the tracks for rolling the face plate(s) to different positions along the track. Use of linear bearings presents issues, including wear, failure, and contamination. The tracks also present a tripping hazard in the work place, since the tracks typically rise above the floor a distance of two inches or more. Also, the floor rails tend to be smooth or slick, which creates a hazard of falling for people in the work place, if they step on a rail.

Accordingly, there is a need in the manufacturing industry for improved means and methods for material handling movement which provides adjustability for unique and different manufacturing requirements.

Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved material handling assembly which allows for quick, easy, and safe movement of various work pieces at the manufacturing site.

Another objection of the present invention is a provision of a pneumatic material handling assembly capable of supporting and sliding heavy work pieces of various sizes.

A further objective of the present invention is a provision of a material handling method for manufacturing operations, and using a lower base plate and an upper sliding plate to adjust the distance between material support members.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a pneumatic slide assembly for material handling wherein pressurized air lifts or floats an upper slide plate above a lower base plate.

A further objective of the present invention is a provision of a pneumatic slide assembly for material handling and a manufacturing work site which eliminates bearings.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a pneumatic slide assembly for work piece handling during manufacturing which has a low profile to minimize or eliminate tripping and falling hazards at the work site.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a material handling assembly and method which is economical, durable, and safe.

These and other objectives have become apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The pneumatic material handling assembly of the present invention is adapted for holding or supporting objects, products, and work pieces having various sizes, in numerous businesses and industries. The assembly includes a lower plate fixed to the floor at the manufacturing site, and an upper plate slideably mounted on top of the lower plate. An air pocket is formed in the lower surface of the upper plate. An air inlet operably connected to a source of pressurized air is provided in the upper plate in communication with the pocket. When pressurized air is introduced into the pocket via the air inlet, the air lifts or floats the upper plate relative to the lower plate and allows the upper plate to slide or move along the lower plate. A first material support or face plate is mounted on the lower plate and a second material support or face place is mounted on the upper plate. Thus, sliding movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate adjusts the distance between the material supports or face plates, thereby accommodating work pieces having various lengths. The upper and lower plates preferably made of steel, and have a thin profile. For example, the lower plate may have a maximum thickness of 1 inch, so as to minimize a tripping risk at the work site. The pneumatic slide assembly is free from bearings and other mechanical components which otherwise are subject to wear, failure, and contamination. The floating upper plate also eliminates or minimizes friction between the upper and lower plates during movement along the upper plate. Locks are provided on the upper plate so as to fix the upper plate in a desired position along the lower plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The pneumatic material handling assembly of the present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral10. The assembly10includes a base12, which preferably is a thin steel plate, which may be formed in one or more sections, such as plate sections12A,12B (FIG. 2) set end-to-end to achieve a desired length of the base12. An upper plate14is slideably mounted on top of the base plate12. In the preferred embodiment, the upper plate14has a width which is greater than the lower plate12, such that the opposite sides of the upper plate14extend beyond the opposite sides of the lower plate12.

As seen inFIG. 4, a pair of guide bars16are attached to the bottom of the upper plate14by threaded fasteners19. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the guide bars16include an inwardly extending lip or flange20which forms an upper notch22along the length of the guide bar16. The opposite sides of the lower base plate12include outwardly extending lips or flanges24which form a lower notch26on each side of the base plate12. As seen inFIG. 5, when the plates12,14are assembled, the flange20of the guide bars16are received in the notches26of the lower plate12, and the flanges24of the lower plate12are received in the notches22of the guide bars16. Thus, the guide bars overlappingly engage the sides of the lower plate12and guide the upper plate14during movement of the upper plate14along the lower plate12, as further described below. Roller wheels with a vertical axis or cam followers18are mounted in recesses or slots19in the bars16, to track along the side edges of the lower plate12, and thereby prevent binding of the upper plate14during movement.

A first material handling support or face plate28is adapted to be mounted on the upper plate14, in any convenient manner. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the support28is mounted on a stand30which is secured to the upper plate14by plurality of bolts or fasteners32. A second support or face plate (not shown) is fixed to the base plate12at a distance spaced from the first support28. The supports are adapted to retain a work piece object, or product (generically referred to hereinafter as “work piece”), and can accommodate work pieces having various lengths by sliding the upper plate14along the lower plate12. Once the upper plate14is in a desired position relative to the lower plate12, locks34can be engaged to clamp the upper plate and the bars16to the lower plate12, and thereby prevent further sliding of the upper plate14along the lower plate12. The locks34may take various embodiments. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the locks34include a threaded shaft35extending into the guide bars16and a rotatable handle36which can be quickly and easily turned to engage and disengage the lock34.

Movement of the upper plate14along the lower plate12is facilitated by pressurized air between the plates. More particularly, the upper plate14has an air pocket40formed in the bottom surface thereof. An air inlet42communicates with the air pocket40, and has a fitting (not shown) to which a flexible air hose44can be quickly and easily coupled and uncoupled. The air hose44is connected to a source46of pressurized air, such an air compressor. Controls (not shown), such as valves and switches, are provided to control the introduction of air from the air source46to the air pocket40. The pocket substantially contains the pressurized air, without the use of gaskets or seals. When the upper plate14is floating, a small amount of air escapes from the gap between the plates12,14.

The base plate12is preferably fixed to the floor at the manufacturing site using anchors or fasteners extending through holes48in the plate12, and having heads recessed beneath the upper surface of the plate12so as to avoid interference with the sliding upper plate14. The plates12,14maybe made of steel or other high strength material. Preferably, the lower plate12has a maximum thickness of no more than one inch so as to minimize the tripping hazard at the work site.

The upper surface of the base plate12and the lower surface of the upper plate14should be smooth so as to minimize any friction between the plates. The mating surfaces maybe coated with a low friction material.

In use, when an operator needs to move the material handling supports28closer to one another, the controls for the air source are actuated so as to supply pressurized air to the air pocket40under the upper plate14. The air lifts or floats the upper plate14from the lower plate12to allow the lower plate14to be slide along the upper plate12when the locks34are unlocked or disengaged. When the lower plate14is at the desired position, the air controls can be deactuated, and the locks34can be engaged so to lock the upper plate against further movement along the lower plate12.

The pneumatic material handling assembly10eliminates all bearings and other moving parts for positioning the upper plate14relative to the lower plate, contrary to the prior art. The low profile of the base plate12is much shorter than prior art rail or track systems for moving work pieces. The base plate sections12A,12B allow the length of the base12to be increased or decreased, as needed.

The pneumatic air system substantially removes all friction between the plates12,14, such that an operator can single-handedly move large amounts of weight, and adjust the material handling equipment28,30on the slide plate14along the base plate12, without the need for rotor bearings, hydraulic actuators, motors and the like. The assembly10can be used to move any type of material handedly equipment along the lower base plate12, such as racks, shelves, rotators, positioners, etc.