Clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes at different maximum

Abstract

A load clamp has two selectively openable and closable opposing clamping assemblies, one of which comprises at least a pair of clamp arms movable separately from each other toward and away from the other clamping assembly. Separate actuators for the respective clamp arms are controlled automatically by a regulator in such a way that the respective closure movements of the arms are simultaneous. A selective adjuster assembly enables the operator to select alternate different maximum magnitudes of clamping force to be imposed by the clamp arms on different loads. An override assembly overrides the regulator to permit nonsimultaneous clamp arm movement, automatically in response to resistance to closure by one of the clamp arms, independently of selective variation of such adjuster assembly. Such independence is achieved by overriding the regulator automatically in delayed response to a magnitude of clamping force which is less than the different maximum magnitudes selectable by the adjuster assembly, the delay in response being sufficient to enable such different magnitudes to be attained in accordance with the operator's selection.