Device for securing an object to a surface by vacuum

Claim 3

A device according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is disposed in the vacuum chamber at a junction between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum passage.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is in the shape of a disk.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 1, wherein the connector member extends through the absorber and includes a free end portion which protrudes from one side of the absorber.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 1, wherein the unit includes a layer engaging the sealing member and extending over one side of the absorber, the layer having one or more air flow-through openings.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 5, wherein the connector member extends through the absorber and includes a free end portion which protrudes from one side of the absorber, and wherein the layer is positioned at the side of the absorber from which the free end portion of the connector member protrudes.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises: an annular sealing skirt which extends about the vacuum chamber; an outer sealing rim for cooperation with the surface; and an inner sealing rim which is directed towards the object holder and sealingly engageable with a coacting sealing surface on the object holder under the influence of a force directed towards the object holder and acting on the outer sealing rim.

Claim 9

A device according to claim 1 wherein the unit is releasably connectable from the socket by a snap-action connection.

Claim 10

A device according to claim 1, wherein the releasably connectable unit includes the sealing member.

Claim 15

A device according to claim 11, wherein the valve comprises: a valve seat; a valve member which coacts with the valve seat and is movable relative to the valve seat between a closed position and an open position; and an actuating member which is connected with the valve member and forms a movable wall of an air chamber that communicates with the vacuum passage between the valve seat and the vacuum chamber.

Claim 16

A vacuum attachment device comprising: an object holder having a bottom side and a top side; fluid connection means for connecting the object holder to a fluid pressure source; a fluid passage which extends between the fluid connection means and the bottom side; a sealing member which projects from the bottom side of the object holder and extends about a negative-pressure chamber at the bottom side; a detachable unit which is attached to the object holder at the bottom side thereof inside the sealing member and which is connectable with and releasable from the object holder through a movement relative to the bottom side respectively towards and away from it, the sealing member being engageable with a skin surface to close the negative-pressure chamber; a space defined between the object holder and the unit which communicates with the fluid passage; and a valve disposed in said fluid passage which is openable to provide communication between the space and negative-pressure chamber, the valve being closable by a positive pressure in said space to prevent escape of fluid therefrom into the negative-pressure chamber.

Claim 17

A vacuum attachment device comprising: an object holder having a bottom side and a top side; fluid connection means for connecting the object holder to a fluid pressure source; a fluid passage which extends between the fluid connection means and the bottom side; a sealing member which projects from the bottom side of the object holder and extends about a negative-pressure chamber at the bottom side; a detachable unit which is attached to the object holder at the bottom side thereof inside the sealing member and which is connectable with and releasable from the object holder through a movement relative to the bottom side respectively towards and away from it, the sealing member being engageable with a skin surface to close the negative-pressure chamber; a space defined between the object holder and the unit which communicates with the fluid passage; and a valve disposed in said fluid passage which is openable to provide communication between the space and negative-pressure chamber, the valve being closable by a positive pressure in said space to prevent escape of fluid therefrom into the negative-pressure chamber.

Claim 18

A device according to claim 13, wherein the valve comprises an annular lip, the lip having an outer portion attached to the object holder and an inner portion which is engageable with a surface of the detachable unit, the surface of the detachable unit being generally directed towards the bottom side of the object holder.

Claim 19

A device according to claim 14, wherein the annular lip is integral with a casing of the object holder.

Claim 20

A device according to claim 13, wherein the detachable unit is connectable with the object holder at a center portion of the bottom side of the holder by a snap-fit coupling.

Claim 21

A device according to claim 13, wherein said valve is a manually openable valve which is housed in the fluid passage, the valve being biassed towards a closed position and self-holding in an open position under the action of negative pressure in the fluid passage.

Claim 22

A device according to claim 13, wherein said valve is a one-way valve housed in the fluid passage, said valve permitting flow in the direction from the negative-pressure chamber to the fluid connection means.

Claim 23

A device according to claim 13, wherein the object holder is an electrode holder and the unit is an electrode unit.