EP1799895B1 - Gripping transport element for a loom - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a gripper conveyor element for a weaving machine, which has vertical guide surfaces for guiding in the vertical direction and horizontal guide surfaces for guiding in the horizontal direction.

Gripper transport elements of the type mentioned are guided within the shed by means of hook-shaped guide elements which are attached to the sley of the weaving machine and which are introduced for a weft insertion through the lower warp thread into the shed to then guide the gripper conveyor element during the weft insertion. After the weft insertion in the striking of the weft thread, the guide elements are moved out of the shed again.

In a known gripper transport element of the type mentioned ( EP 0275479 B1 ) is in the form of a rapier-owning gripper conveyor element provided on its underside with an incised longitudinal groove. The upper side and the groove bottom of the longitudinal groove form vertical guide surfaces on which the guide elements which can be moved into the shed guide the rapier band against deflection in the vertical direction. The guide elements, which have a hook-shaped shape open to the reed for technical reasons, engage with a guide in the undercut longitudinal groove of the gripper transport element. The horizontal guide surfaces consist of the side facing away from the reed surface of the rapier band, on which the rapier band is prevented from dodging in the horizontal direction of the reed away. The avoidance of the rapier band toward the reed preventing horizontal guide surface is formed by a side wall of the longitudinal groove. This area is inevitably relatively small, so that at this point a relatively fast wear takes place, which makes the rapier band unusable.

It is also known ( WO 94/10364 ), C-shaped guide elements provide that engage the gripper belt on the reed facing the reed top and bottom and so on the side facing away from the reed side surface and the upper and lower portions of the reed facing side surface in the horizontal direction. The gripper belt is provided with a longitudinally extending, lateral projection which is guided between the two mutually opposite lugs of the C-shaped guide elements in the vertical direction. The top and the bottom of the rapier band are spaced apart from the opposite surfaces of the guide elements, ie they do not serve as vertical guide surfaces. Because of the relatively small size of the guide surfaces takes place in a relatively short time a strong wear. In addition, with this "floating" guidance of the rapier band there is the danger that the gripper belt tends to buckle at high weaving speeds.

The invention has for its object to provide a gripper transport element of the type mentioned above, which offers relatively large guide surfaces for better guidance and is thus exposed to less wear.

This object is achieved in that at least over a part of the length of the gripper conveyor element at least two longitudinal grooves are provided, which are arranged in the horizontal direction at a distance from each other and form horizontal guide surfaces.

By means of the longitudinal grooves, the size of the horizontal guide surfaces, which prevent dodging of the gripper transport element in the direction of the reed, form relatively large, so that the wear can be slowed down. By means of the longitudinal grooves, the guide surfaces and in particular the horizontal guide surfaces can be enlarged relative to the cross section of the gripper transport element, so that it is possible to use a gripper transport element which has a small cross section in relation to the size of the guide surfaces. It is thus possible to reduce the gripper transport element from the usual size, but without reducing the guide surfaces and in particular the horizontal guide surfaces. A gripper transport element with a small cross section has a correspondingly low mass and is therefore suitable for high weaving speeds.

In an embodiment of the invention, a gripper band or gripper bar is provided on a part of the length complementary or replacing guide member having the two longitudinal grooves. The gripper belt or the gripper bar can in this case retain the previous shape with a longitudinal groove, while the additional horizontal guide surfaces are created within the guide member.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the height of the side walls of the longitudinal grooves on each side at least approximately corresponds to the strength of the rapier band or the gripper bar or the guide member.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the gripper belt or the gripper bar or the guide part is laterally widened to a longitudinal groove.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the upper side and the lower side serve as vertical guide surfaces and both side surfaces of the rapier band or the gripper rod as horizontal guide surfaces for C-shaped guide elements. In this way, all outer surfaces can be used as guide surfaces.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in the top and / or bottom two preferably equal width and equal depth grooves are provided. In another embodiment, it is provided that in the top and in the bottom two opposite, preferably equal width and equal depth longitudinal grooves are provided. In another embodiment, mutually offset longitudinal grooves are provided in the upper side and in the lower side in the transverse direction. In all of these embodiments, it is achieved that the horizontal guide surfaces, which prevent deflection in the direction of a reed, can be of sufficient size to reduce wear.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that there is a row of holes with holes running through from the top to the bottom, which are located at least partially in a region which is free of longitudinal grooves. This is especially compared to the type after EP 0275479 B1 an advantage in which the holes of the row of holes are in the region of the longitudinal groove, ie in the area of the cross section reduced by the longitudinal groove.

Fig. 1

zeigt einen Schnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Greifertransportelement entlang der Linie I-I der Fig. 3 oder der Fig. 7,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch das Greifertransportelement der Fig. 3 entlang der Linie II-II,

Fig. 3

eine Teilansicht auf die Unterseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Greifertransportelementes,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV der Fig. 7,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V der Fig. 7,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie VI-VI der Fig. 7,

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht von unten auf eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Greifertransportelementes,

Fig. 8 bis 26

weitere Schnitte durch erfindungsgemäße Greifertransportelemente,

Fig. 27

eine Teil-Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Greifertransportelementes,

Fig. 28

einen Längsschnitt durch das Greifertransportelement der Fig. 27,

Fig. 29

eine Ansicht von unten auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Greifertransportelement,

Fig. 30

eine Seitenansicht des Greifertransportelementes nach Fig. 29,

Fig. 31

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XXXI-XXXI der Fig. 29,

Fig. 32

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie XXXII-XXXII der Fig. 29,

Fig. 34

eine Ansicht von unten auf eine weiter abgewandelte Ausführungsform, ähnlich Fig. 29,

Fig. 35

eine Seitenansicht des Greifertransportelementes der Fig. 34 und

Fig. 36 und 37

weitere Querschnitte von Greifertransportelementen.

In der Beschreibung der Erfindung werden Führungsflächen eines Greifertransportelementes, d.h. eines Greiferbandes oder einer Greiferstange oder eines Führungsteils, als Vertikal-Führungsflächen bezeichnet, die das Greifertransportelement gegen Abweichungen von seiner Bewegungsbahn in vertikaler Richtung führen. Entsprechend werden als Horizontal-Führungsflächen die Führungsflächen des Greifertransportelementes bezeichnet, die das Greifertransportelement gegen Abweichungen von seiner Bewegungsbahn in horizontaler Richtung führen. Üblicherweise sind die Vertikal-Führungsflächen im Wesentlichen horizontal und die Horizontal-Führungsflächen im Wesentlichen vertikal ausgerichtet. Die Vertikal-Führungsflächen und die Horizontal-Führungsflächen verlaufen zweckmäßigerweise lotrecht zueinander. Sie müssen jedoch nicht tatsächlich horizontal oder vertikal ausgerichtet sein. Vielmehr können Sie mehr oder weniger schräg zur Horizontalen oder Vertikalen verlaufen.Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

shows a section through an inventive gripper conveyor element along the line II of Fig. 3 or the Fig. 7 .

Fig. 2

a section through the gripper transport element of Fig. 3 along the line II-II,

Fig. 3

a partial view of the underside of a gripper transport element according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 7 .

Fig. 5

a section along the line VV the Fig. 7 .

Fig. 6

a section along the line VI-VI of Fig. 7 .

Fig. 7

a view from below of a modified embodiment of a gripper transport element according to the invention,

8 to 26

further cuts by gripper transport elements according to the invention,

Fig. 27

a partial side view of a gripper transport element according to the invention,

Fig. 28

a longitudinal section through the gripper transport element of Fig. 27 .

Fig. 29

a view from below of a gripper transport element according to the invention,

Fig. 30

a side view of the gripper conveyor element after Fig. 29 .

Fig. 31

a section along the line XXXI-XXXI the Fig. 29 .

Fig. 32

a section along the line XXXII-XXXII of Fig. 29 .

Fig. 34

a bottom view of a further modified embodiment, similar Fig. 29 .

Fig. 35

a side view of the gripper transport element of Fig. 34 and

FIGS. 36 and 37

further cross sections of gripper transport elements.

In the description of the invention, guide surfaces of a gripper transport element, ie a gripper belt or a gripper bar or a guide part, referred to as vertical guide surfaces, which guide the gripper conveyor element against deviations from its trajectory in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the guide surfaces of the gripper transport element are referred to as horizontal guide surfaces, which guide the gripper conveyor element against deviations from its trajectory in the horizontal direction. Typically, the vertical guide surfaces are substantially horizontal and the horizontal guide surfaces are substantially vertically aligned. The vertical guide surfaces and the horizontal guide surfaces are advantageously perpendicular to each other. However, they do not actually have to be aligned horizontally or vertically. Rather, you can run more or less obliquely to the horizontal or vertical.

This in Fig. 1 to 3 shown gripper conveyor element 10 has the form of a rapier bar or a rapier band. The essential difference between a rapier and a gripper belt is that the gripper bar is guided in a straight line outside the loom. In contrast, a rapier band is deflected outside the weaving machine by a drive wheel, so that less space is required laterally next to the weaving machine. A rapier bar can have a higher bending stiffness than a rapier band.

The gripper transport element 10 is usually made of laminated plastic with intermediate layers of reinforcing fibers, in particular carbon fibers or polyaramid fibers (Kevlar fibers). The gripper conveyor element 10 is provided at its end penetrating into a shed with a gripper. Within a shed, the gripper transport element 10 is guided by means of guide elements 11, which are attached to a sley, to which a reed is attached. With the movement of the sley, the guide elements 11 are inserted between the warp threads of the lower warp sheet into a shed, so that they can guide the gripper conveyor element 10 within the shed.

The upper side 12 and the lower side 13 of the gripper conveyor element 10 form vertical guide surfaces which guide the gripper conveyor element 10 in the vertical direction, ie prevent it from deflecting from its predetermined movement path in the vertical direction. The guide elements 11 have a C-shaped configuration and are open on the side facing the reed, not shown. They guide the gripper conveyor element 10 on the two side surfaces 14 and 15, which form horizontal guide surfaces, so that the gripper conveyor element 10 is prevented from escaping in the horizontal direction. On the closed side of the guide elements 11, the entire height of the side surface 14 can be utilized as a horizontal guide surface. On the opposite, open side, however, only a part of the side surface 15 is exploitable as a horizontal guide surface.

In order to increase the horizontal guide surfaces, a longitudinal groove 16 is incorporated in the underside 13 of the gripper conveyor element 10, whose side surfaces increase the horizontal guide surfaces. It is especially an increase in the horizontal guide surfaces of advantage that prevent dodging towards the reed, ie the in Fig. 1 and 2 right side surface of the longitudinal groove 16. In the longitudinal groove 16 engages a projection 17 of the guide elements, which supports the horizontal guide together with the side surfaces of the longitudinal groove 16.

How out FIGS. 2 and 3 can be seen, the gripper conveyor element 10 is provided over a part A of its length, which is for example 500 mm long, with a widening 18 which extends outside of the guide elements 11. The widening 18 has approximately the same height as the guided inside the guide elements 11 part of the gripper transport element 10, ie, approximately the same height as the side surfaces 14, 15. At this widening 18, a gripper can be attached. For example, this can be done in the way that comes from the WO 94/10364 is known. Between the inside of the guide elements 11 located part of the gripper transport element 10 and the widening two further longitudinal grooves 19, 20 are provided, in which engage the opposing portions of the C-shaped guide members 11. The gripper conveyor element 10 thus has in the area A, in which the widening 18 is present, in the bottom 13, two longitudinal grooves 16, 20, which are arranged in the transverse direction to each other at a distance.

As in 4 and 5 is shown, the gripper transport element 10 'does not have to consist of a one-piece part over the entire length. This in Fig. 4 illustrated gripper transport element 10 'consists of a the inner contour of the guide elements 11 corresponding base body 21 of a gripper bar or a rapier band and a guide member 22 which forms the extending over the region A broadening and thus the second longitudinal groove 20 '. Likewise, it also forms the longitudinal groove 19 'and in extension of the longitudinal groove 16, the longitudinal groove 16'.

The gripper transport element 60 after Fig. 8 is particularly suitable as a rapier band. It has substantially a flat rectangular cross-section which is relatively bendable about a horizontal axis, but relatively rigid about a vertical axis. The upper side 61 and the lower side 62 form vertical guide surfaces, to which guides of guide elements 63 are associated, which prevent deflection of the gripper transport element 60 in the vertical direction. In the bottom 62 of the gripper conveyor element 60, two longitudinal grooves 64, 65 are incorporated, which in the embodiment have the same width and the same depth and which have the same distance from the longitudinal center of the gripper conveyor element 60. In the longitudinal grooves 64, 65 engage approaches 66, 67 of the guide elements 63 a. The side surface 68 of the gripper transport element 60 which faces away from the open reed, not shown, of the guide elements 63 forms a horizontal guide surface which prevents horizontal movement of the gripper transport element 60 from the open side, ie away from the reed, not shown. The side surfaces of the longitudinal grooves 64, 65 facing the open side of the guide elements 63 form horizontal guide surfaces which prevent a horizontal deflection of the gripper transport element 60 in the direction of the open side, ie toward the reed, not shown. The depth of the longitudinal grooves 64, 65 is selected so that the added height of the two side surfaces of the longitudinal grooves 64, 65 facing the open side corresponds at least approximately to the height of the side surface 68. The height of the overall guide surface, which is a deflection of the gripper transport element 60 in the direction of the not shown Rebate prevented, thus corresponds at least approximately to the thickness of the gripper transport element 60th

The gripper conveyor element 70 after Fig. 9 is also particularly suitable as a rapier band, since it has a smaller height than width. It differs from the embodiment according to Fig. 8 in that, in addition to the longitudinal grooves 74, 75 of the lower side 72, longitudinal grooves 76, 77 are provided in the upper side 71. The guide elements 73 are designed so that they engage in all four longitudinal grooves 74, 75, 76, 77 and cooperate with the horizontal guide surfaces formed by the side walls of the longitudinal grooves. The gripper conveyor element 70 is provided in its longitudinal center with passing from the top 71 to the bottom 72 holes 78 which are arranged in a row of holes. In these holes 78 engage in a known manner teeth of a drive gear. The holes 78 of the row of holes are located in a region of the gripper conveyor element 70 whose cross-section is not weakened by longitudinal grooves.

The embodiment according to 10 and 11 essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3 , In addition, in the upper side 12 of the gripper conveyor element 80, a further longitudinal groove 82 is incorporated, which is also involved in the side guide, ie horizontal guide surfaces for lugs 84 of guide elements 83 forms. According to the embodiment 10 and 11 a widening 88 also extending outside the guide elements 83 is provided, which extends over part of the length of the gripper transport element 80, for example about 500 mm. The widening 88 connects via an upper longitudinal groove 87 and a lower longitudinal groove 89 to the guided within the guide elements 83 area.

In Fig. 12 an embodiment is shown, which in principle according to the embodiment Fig. 8 equivalent. The gripper transport element 100 has on its underside two longitudinal grooves 101, 102, in which lugs 105, 107 of guide elements 103 engage. In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 8 the longitudinal grooves 101, 102 are not symmetrical to the longitudinal center plane and also do not have the same width. They also do not have the same depth. The longitudinal groove 102 is formed deeper than the longitudinal groove 101. Also in this case, it is preferred that the total height of the horizontal guide surfaces of the gripper transport element 100, which prevent an exit turn to the open side of the guide elements 103, at least approximately correspond to the total thickness of the gripper transport element 100.

According to the embodiment Fig. 13 a longitudinal groove 112 is provided in the gripper conveyor element 111 slightly outside the center of the underside, engage in the projections of the thread guide elements 113. In the upper side of the gripper transport element 111, a longitudinal groove 114 is incorporated to the closed side of the thread guide elements 113 offset from the longitudinal groove 112 from above. In the longitudinal groove 114 engages a corresponding projection 115 of the thread guide elements 113, so that the walls of the longitudinal groove 114 serve as horizontal guide surfaces.

Since the longitudinal grooves 112, 114 beginning in the lower side and in the upper side of the gripper transporting element 111 are offset in the transverse direction or in the horizontal direction, their depth can exceed half the thickness of the gripper transporting element 111. In Fig. 14 It is shown that the longitudinal groove 115 ', which begins at the top of the gripper transport element 111, as well as the longitudinal groove 112 has a depth which is greater than half the thickness of the gripper transport element 111.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3 or 4 to 7 it is provided that the widening 18 has the same thickness that the gripper transport element 10, 10 'has in the region before the widening 18. As in FIGS. 15 and 16 In addition, it is possible to utilize the underside of the widening 18 'or 18 "as an additional guide surface that supports the vertical guide supported. The guide elements 11 'are provided with a corresponding projection 25 which is associated with the underside of the widening 18', 18 ".This support of the widening 18 ', 18" results in better torsional forces in the area of the widening 18', 18 " be recorded.

As already mentioned, the horizontal guide surfaces, which guide the gripper transport element in the horizontal direction, need not be aligned vertically. Likewise, the vertical guide surfaces that guide the gripper conveyor element in the vertical direction, must not be aligned horizontally. In addition, not all horizontal guide surfaces must be aligned parallel to each other. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 17 and 18 a gripper transport element 170 is provided, which in principle according to the embodiment Fig. 1 to 3 or after Fig. 4 to 7 equivalent. In deviation from the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3 or 4 to 7 It is provided that the gripper conveyor element 170 in the region of the upper left in the drawing corner, which is associated with a reed, not shown, an inclined guide surface 171 has. This inclined guide surface 171 prevents both a deviation of the gripper conveyor element 170 from its movement path in the direction of the open side of the guide element 173, ie the reed as well as a deviation in the vertical direction. Also in the embodiment according to FIGS. 17 and 18 is the guide member 173 with a reed towards the reed approach 25, which serves as a support and guide for the widening 18 of the gripper conveyor element 170.

Similar oblique to the horizontal and obliquely to the vertical extending guide surfaces can also be provided in all other embodiments, such as based on Fig. 19 is shown, which is a modification of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3 represents. The gripper conveyor element 190 is provided with an oblique guide surface 191, which is associated with a corresponding oblique guidance of the guide element 11 '.

The gripper transport element 70 of Fig. 9 becomes in the embodiment after Fig. 20 guided by a guide element 73 ', which extends from the guide element 73 Fig. 9 differs in that a vertical guide only in the region of the groove bottom of the longitudinal grooves 74, 75, 76, 77 and the intervening sections of the top 71 and the bottom 72 takes place. In the area of the inside of the guide elements 73 'located parts of the gripper transport element, the guide elements 73' are recessed so that they comply with the corresponding portion of the top 71 and the bottom 72 a distance.

As in Fig. 22 is shown in a modified embodiment accordingly Fig. 9 or 20 provided that the guide elements 73 "have a protruding from the open side (directed to the reed not shown) approach 25, with which the underside of outside of the guide elements 73" located part of the gripper transport element 10 is guided.

The embodiment according to Fig. 21 corresponds in principle to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3 , The difference is that in the embodiment, the gripper transport element 210 has a cross-section which is substantially wider in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. Such a flat gripper transport element 210 is particularly suitable as a gripper belt.

In the FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrated embodiment substantially corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3 , In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, 3 and 4 is additionally provided that the gripper transport element 230 is provided in the region of its side surfaces with longitudinal ribs 231, 232. The longitudinal rib 232, which is located on the open side, is guided between the opposite portions of the C-shaped guide member 233. This longitudinal rib merges into the broadening 18 in the region A. The guide elements 233 are provided with a recess adapted to the longitudinal rib 231. By means of the longitudinal ribs 231, 232, the vertical guide surfaces outside the section A are enlarged. In addition, in the region of the longitudinal ribs 231, 232, which are located approximately in the neutral center plane of the gripper transport element 230, a plurality of layers of reinforcing fibers are inserted, which can thus have a greater width.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 25 to 28 Guide elements 63 according to the embodiment according to Fig. 8 used. In the area of section A, the gripper transport element 250 has a cross section corresponding to the gripper transport element 60 of FIG Fig. 8 , The two projections 66 and 67 engage in open towards the bottom longitudinal grooves. These longitudinal grooves are located between three ribs 251, 252, 253, which protrude from the bottom of the gripper conveyor element down. The middle rib extends only over the area A of the gripper conveyor element 250. The two outer ribs 251, 253 run a little further and then go over into the bottom of the gripper conveyor element 250. The gripper transport element 250 has a flat, rectangular shape in the adjoining area, like that Fig. 26 can be seen. A horizontal guide for the gripper conveyor element 250 is thus given only in the area A in full extent and in the adjoining area, in which the two outer longitudinal ribs 251, 253 are still present. How out Fig. 28 it can be seen, which shows a view of the underside of the gripper transport element 250, which is preferably used as a gripper belt, in the section A no lateral broadening of the gripper transport element 250 is provided. A gripper is attached to the protruding from the guide members 63 parts of the gripper transport element.

FIGS. 29 to 32 show a gripper transport element 290, similar Fig. 4 to 7 However, wherein the two longitudinal grooves are arranged completely in the guide part 22 'of the gripper conveyor element 290. The gripper transport element 290 has a flat-rectangular cross-section, like that Fig. 32 can be seen. In its front region, the height of the band-shaped part 291 is reduced to half and placed on top of the guide member 22 '. The guide member 22 'forms in the section A a widening 18, which protrudes from the guide elements 11 from the open side and serves to attach a gripper. From the bottom of the guide member protrude two longitudinal ribs 292, 293. The widening of the guide part 22 'has the same height as the longitudinal ribs 292, 293, so that between the longitudinal ribs 292, 293 on the one hand and the longitudinal rib 293 and the widening on the other hand two longitudinal grooves are formed, reach into the projections of the guide elements 11.

The free end of the guide member 22 'is shaped such that it can take as possible with no damage to warp threads when inserted into a shed. For this purpose, it is provided with a rounded tip both in the plan view and in the side view.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 33 to 35 differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 29 to 33 only in the region of the connection between the band-shaped part of the gripper transport element 290 'and the guide part 22'. The difference is that over a certain range, in which the section XXIII-XXXIII is laid, the longitudinal ribs 292 and 293 of the guide member 22 'have been extended by longitudinal ribs 294, 295 of the band-shaped part with a transition in the im Substantially rectangular cross section of the band-shaped part of the gripper transport element 290 'merge.

The embodiment according to Fig. 36 essentially corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 11 , However, the longitudinal grooves 82, 82 ', 87, 89 are dimensioned relative to the lugs of the guide member 83 so that between the groove bottom of the longitudinal grooves 82, 82', 87, 89 and the lugs of the guide member 83 is a game. Thus, no wear occurs in this area.

Also in the embodiment according to Fig. 37 which is essentially the embodiment of Fig. 12 corresponds, is provided between the groove bottom of the longitudinal grooves 101, 102 of the gripper transport element 100 'and the lugs 105, 107 of the guide member 103 game. In addition, an outwardly directed projection 25 is provided on the outside of the projection 105, which forms a guide assigned to the underside of the gripper transport element 100 '.

All embodiments have the advantage that a gripper transport element is provided which has a small cross-section and in relation thereto has relatively large guide surfaces. The small cross-section means that the gripper transport element has a lower mass, so that it is possible to work with correspondingly higher web speeds.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Rather, special designs of the individual embodiments can be realized in other embodiments. In particular, in all embodiments, to which this has not been expressly described, also guide parts similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 to 7 or FIGS. 29 to 35 used to complement or replace the gripper transport over part of its length and carry a gripper. If the longitudinal grooves are provided only in the guide member, the horizontal guide is limited only to the area in which the guide member is located. This is above all the area in which a gripper is mounted, which is then usually carried by the guide member.

Claims (11)

1. Gripper transport element (10) which comprises vertical guide surfaces (12, 13) for guiding in vertical direction and horizontal guide surfaces (14, 15) for guiding in horizontal direction, wherein at least over a part A of the length of the gripper transport element (10) at least two longitudinal grooves (16, 20) are provided, characterized in that the longitudinal grooves (16, 20) are disposed at a distance from each other in horizontal direction and their sidewalls form horizontal guide surfaces.
2. Gripper transport element according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripper transport element is a gripper band or a gripper rod, which is provided with a guiding part (22) which comprises the two longitudinal grooves.
3. Gripper transport element according to claim 2, characterized in that the height of the sidewalls of the longitudinal grooves towards each side corresponds at least approximately to the thickness of the gripper band or gripper rod or of the guiding part.
4. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the gripper band or the gripper rod or the guiding part is enlarged on one side adjoining a longitudinal groove.
5. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the upper side serves as vertical guide surfaces and both side surfaces of the gripper band or of the gripper rod or of the guiding part serve as horizontal guide surfaces for C-shaped guide elements.
6. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the upper side and/or the lower side two longitudinal grooves of preferably equal width and equal depth are provided.
7. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the longitudinal grooves comprise different widths and/or different depths.
8. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the upper side and/or the lower side two longitudinal grooves opposite to each another are provided.
9. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the upper side and in the lower side longitudinal grooves in transverse direction offset to each other are provided.
10. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a row of holes with through holes from the upper side to the lower side, which are at least partly located in an area which is without longitudinal grooves.
11. Gripper transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the gripper transport element comprises at least a guide surface with an inclination to the horizontal and to the vertical.

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