Quick disconnect device for actuating unit and gripper head

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The present quick disconnect device for an actuating unit gripper head is generally indicated at 11, FIG.
1, where in an exploded perspective view there is shown a travel cylinder assembly 13, which is substantially in accordance with U.
S.
Pat.
No.
3,371,583 having a pneumatic actuating unit 15 to which is removably attached the gripper head 17.
Said head is substantially in accordance with U.
S.
Pat.
No.
3,371,953, supra.
The aforementioned patents go into the details of the construction and operation of the actuating unit and the gripper head assembly respectively and the disclosure thereof is incorporated hereinto by reference to the extent necessary for a full understanding of the present invention as directed to a quick disconnect means for axially interconnecting and interlocking the actuating unit 15 in registry with the corresponding gripper head 17.
The present invention is not directed to the details of the structure and operation of either the travel cylinder assembly 13 or the gripper head, except for certain portions thereof which cooperate with the present quick disconnect device.
The present disconnect device includes three elements namely, the protrusion block 83 and its corresponding mount plate 79 with undercut laterally opening opposed assembly slots 85 and the inverted U-shaped quick disconnect body 57, which before assembly, is first secured by a plurality of fasteners 51 to the mount flange 49 of gripper head 17, FIG.
1.
As background and illustrative of the travel cylinder assembly 13, there is shown travel cylinder 19 having a pair of longitudinally spaced cylinder heads 21, one of which is shown in FIG.
1, interconnected by a plurality of conventional tie rods 23 and having a reciprocal piston rod 25 connected to a suitable piston within the travel cylinder.
The outer end of piston 25 is secured to actuating unit 15 by a suitable connection.
Reciprocal movements of the piston rod 25 are adapted to effect corresponding reciprocal movements of the actuating unit 15