US 12,226,970 B2
Gripper, gripper station and method for gripping an annular tire component
Timen Anton Van Werven, Epe (NL); Robin Nusselder, Epe (NL); and Willem Marinus Van Beek, Epe (NL)
Assigned to VMI HOLLAND B.V., (NL)
Appl. No. 18/683,356
Filed by VMI Holland B.V., Epe (NL)
PCT Filed Jul. 26, 2022, PCT No. PCT/EP2022/070925
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 13, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/025496, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 2, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2029073 (NL), filed on Aug. 27, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0326367 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. B66C 1/54 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B29D 30/00 (2006.01); B29D 30/26 (2006.01); B60B 30/06 (2006.01); B60B 30/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 30/2607 (2013.01) [B25J 15/0047 (2013.01); B29D 30/0016 (2013.01); B60B 30/06 (2013.01); B60B 30/08 (2013.01); B29D 2030/0044 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gripper for gripping an annular tire component, wherein the gripper comprises a plurality of gripper members distributed in a circumferential direction about a gripper axis and movable with at least a vector component in a radial direction perpendicular to the gripper axis over a main range with a radially inner endpoint and a radially outer endpoint, wherein the gripper further comprises a limiter for limiting the movement of the plurality of gripper members in the radial direction to a subrange within the main range, wherein the subrange has an adjustable subrange position relative to the main range, wherein the gripper comprises a synchronization member for synchronizing the movements of the plurality of gripper members in the radial direction, wherein the synchronization member defines the main range, wherein the limiter is arranged for limiting the synchronization member to define the subrange.