US 12,390,943 B2
Auto-release vacuum device
Maurice Perlman, Oak Park, MI (US); and Keith S. Attee, Charlevoix, MI (US)
Assigned to Stabilus Motion Controls GmbH, Langenfeld (DE)
Filed by Delaware Capital Formation, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/597,111.
Application 18/597,111 is a continuation of application No. 18/092,958, filed on Jan. 4, 2023, granted, now 11,951,611.
Application 18/092,958 is a continuation of application No. 17/472,628, filed on Sep. 11, 2021, granted, now 11,577,407, issued on Feb. 14, 2023.
Application 17/472,628 is a continuation of application No. 16/840,770, filed on Apr. 6, 2020, granted, now 11,148,301, issued on Oct. 19, 2021.
Application 16/840,770 is a continuation of application No. 15/829,058, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, granted, now 10,654,177, issued on May 19, 2020.
Application 15/829,058 is a continuation of application No. 14/814,708, filed on Jul. 31, 2015, granted, now 9,833,910, issued on Dec. 5, 2017.
Application 14/814,708 is a continuation of application No. 13/826,756, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, granted, now 9,095,983, issued on Aug. 4, 2015.
Application 13/826,756 is a continuation of application No. 13/471,882, filed on May 15, 2012, granted, now 8,479,781, issued on Jul. 9, 2013.
Application 13/471,882 is a continuation of application No. 13/116,037, filed on May 26, 2011, granted, now 8,201,589, issued on Jun. 19, 2012.
Application 13/116,037 is a continuation of application No. 12/708,854, filed on Feb. 19, 2010, granted, now 7,950,422, issued on May 31, 2011.
Application 12/708,854 is a continuation of application No. 12/437,677, filed on May 8, 2009, granted, now 7,681,603, issued on Mar. 23, 2010.
Application 12/437,677 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/430,712, filed on May 9, 2006, granted, now 7,540,309, issued on Jun. 2, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/698,031, filed on Jul. 11, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2024/0208080 A1, Jun. 27, 2024
Int. Cl. B25J 15/06 (2006.01); B25B 11/00 (2006.01); B65G 47/91 (2006.01); F04F 5/20 (2006.01); F04F 5/52 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 15/0625 (2013.01) [B25B 11/007 (2013.01); B25J 15/0616 (2013.01); B25J 15/0633 (2013.01); B25J 15/0675 (2013.01); B65G 47/91 (2013.01); F04F 5/20 (2013.01); F04F 5/52 (2013.01); Y10T 137/87893 (2015.04)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic release vacuum device for a material handling system, the automatic release vacuum device comprising:
a one-piece body adapted to connect to a pressurized air supply, the one-piece body including a vacuum passageway and a venting element the vacuum passageway operable to vent to atmosphere through the venting element;
a vacuum generating device housed in the one-piece body;
a piston element disposed in the one-piece body, the piston element including a desired shape including a rim, defining a peripheral border of the desired shape, and a sealing element, the piston element has a sealing position wherein the sealing element and the piston element rim, engage to close off the vacuum passageway to atmosphere and, in turn, closing the venting element and a venting position wherein the vacuum passageway is open to atmosphere; and
when the pressurized air supply is activated to supply pressurized air to the vacuum generating device, the piston element is moved into the sealing position and at least a partial vacuum is generated in the vacuum passageway.