US 12,385,265 B2
Block transfer apparatus and improved clamping assembly for use therewith
Samuel Thomas Pickering, Kalamunda (AU); David James Newcombe, Cottesloe (AU); and Rudolf Hans Hauri, City Beach (AU)
Assigned to FASTBRICK IP PTY LTD, High Wycombe (AU)
Appl. No. 17/920,335
Filed by FASTBRICK IP PTY LTD, High Wycombe (AU)
PCT Filed Apr. 22, 2021, PCT No. PCT/AU2021/050361
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 20, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/212176, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 28, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020901272 (AU), filed on Apr. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0167650 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. E04G 21/22 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC E04G 21/22 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1694 (2013.01); B25J 11/00 (2013.01); B25J 13/089 (2013.01); B25J 15/0033 (2013.01); B25J 15/0253 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A block transfer apparatus for transferring a block between an upstream clamp of a block delivery system and a downstream clamp of the block delivery system, the block transfer apparatus including:
a frame pivotally mounted to a support; and,
a clamping assembly mounted to the frame and linearly extendable relative thereto, the clamping assembly including a pair of gripper jaws that clamp opposing lateral sides of the block;
wherein, the block transfer apparatus is configured to:
receive a block from the upstream clamp, wherein the opposing lateral sides of the block are initially clamped in the gripper jaws in an approximate position;
rotate to a drop position whereby the gripper jaws release the block and allow it to self-datum onto first and second orthogonal datum surfaces to thereby register an end and top or bottom face of the block in corresponding first and second orthogonal planes;
re-clamp the block after the drop by applying a clamping force to the opposing lateral sides of the block so as to register the block against a third datum surface defining a third plane orthogonal to both the first and second planes to thereby datum the position of the block with respect to the clamping assembly; and,
present the block clamped in the datumed position for transfer to the downstream clamp.