Glass plate holder and glass plate transport device

{
  "publication_number": "US2016244245A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Glass plate holder and glass plate transport device",
  "abstract": "This glass plate holder is a glass plate holder for holding a flat glass plate in a vertical position, and includes: a clip configured to grip both surfaces of the glass plate; a supporting body that supports the clip and that has a guide portion that allows the clip to move in a vertical direction; and an elastic member that biases the clip upward.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A glass plate holder for holding a flat glass plate in a vertical position, comprising: a clip configured to grip both surfaces of the glass plate; a supporting body that supports the clip and that has a guide portion that allows the clip to move in a vertical direction; and an elastic member that biases the clip upward. 2. The glass plate holder according to claim 1, wherein the clip is supported by the supporting body so as to be able to move in a thickness direction of the glass plate. 3. The glass plate holder according to claim 1, wherein the clip includes: a first gripping member that has a first contact portion configured to be in contact with one surface of the glass plate; a second gripping member that has a second contact portion configured to be in contact with the other surface of the glass plate; and a pivot portion that supports the first gripping member and the second gripping member such that the first gripping member and the second gripping member are rotatable relative to each other, and the supporting body includes a pressing portion that presses at least one of the gripping members so as to narrow a gap between the first contact portion and the second contact portion as the clip moves downward. 4. The glass plate holder according to claim 3, wherein the second gripping member: has a center of gravity on a side of a surface that is farther from the first gripping member; and rotates so as to move away from the first gripping member due to an effect of the center of gravity upon the clip moving upward. 5. The glass plate holder according to claim 1, wherein the clip is provided with an engaging member, the guide portion includes a guide groove with which the engaging member engages such that the engaging member is able to move in a vertical direction, and an upward movement of the engaging member is restricted by an upper end portion of the guide groove. 6. The glass plate holder according to claim 5, wherein the engaging member is provided on a lower end portion of the clip, and a horizontal groove that extends in the thickness direction of the glass plate communicates with a lower end portion of the guide groove. 7. The glass plate holder according to claim 1, wherein the glass plate is a glass plate for a car. 8. The glass plate holder according to claim 7, wherein a molding is attached to at least part of a peripheral portion of the glass plate, the clip has a supporting portion that supports the glass plate, and the supporting portion supports an edge portion of the glass plate to which the molding is attached. 9. A glass plate transport device that is provided with at least one glass plate holder according to claim 1."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a glass plate holder and a glass plate transport device.\n\nVarious methods for transporting a glass plate having a plate-like shape have conventionally been proposed, and, for example, a device such as the device described in Patent Literature 1 is disclosed. Specifically, the device includes: a holder member that is folded in half so as to grip an end portion of a glass plate; and a fixing member that detachably supports the holder member gripping the glass plate. A fitting recessed portion is formed in the upper surface of the fixing member, and the holder member gripping the glass plate is inserted into this fitting recessed portion. It is thus possible to hold the glass plate in the upright position.\n\nPatent Literature Patent Literature 1: International Publication WO 2007/123070\n\nTechnical Problem However, in order to hold a glass plate with the above-described device, it is necessary to carry out two processes, namely the process of gripping the glass plate with the holder member and the process of inserting the holder member into the fixing member. Also, it is necessary to support the holder member such that the holder member does not become separated from the glass plate, and there is thus the problem that the task of holding the glass plate on the device is laborious. Furthermore, since the glass plate can be heavy in weight in some cases, there is also the risk of the glass plate being damaged by a shock when it is inserted into the fixing member.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65D 85/48",
    "B65G 49/062",
    "F16B 2/22"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65D 85/48",
    "F16B 2/22"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "NIPPON SHEET GLASS COMPANY LMITED",
    "NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "MAEDA KENJI"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-10-15",
  "publication_date": "2016-08-25",
  "priority_date": "2013-10-30",
  "application_number": "US-201415032737-A",
  "family_id": "53003973",
  "citations": [
    "US2003101550A1",
    "US2008222857A1",
    "US2009090652A1",
    "US2010108841A1",
    "US2579878A",
    "US3575405A",
    "US4570310A",
    "US4803760A",
    "US4840341A",
    "US4877228A",
    "US5201501A",
    "US5318316A",
    "US5941513A",
    "US6386496B1",
    "US8398062B1",
    "US9339127B1"
  ]
}