Pivoted Jaw Patents (Class 294/104)
  • Patent number: 5139185
    Abstract: A platform, which has an elongate handle fixed thereto, has a pivotable limb coupled thereto to move an end of the limb away from, and into clamping engagement with the platform. An actuator is slidably secured to the platform by a trackway, and it has one end of a link captive in a diagonal slot formed in traverse of the actuator. The other end of the link penetrates the platform and is pivotably coupled to the limb. Slidable translation of the actuator along the platform causes the limb to pivot, to open a space between the platform and the limb, in which to insert an end or edge of a garment, and translation of the actuator in an opposite direction causes the limb to close toward the platform to clamp the garment securely thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Barney Medaugh
  • Patent number: 5133635
    Abstract: A method of handling and securing platelike substrates, such as wafers, is described in which a substrate is gripped between supporting elements situated opposite each other in the plane of the substrate to be applied against opposite side edges of the substrate. The gripping forces are applied through resilient means in order to limit the gripping force applied. Apparatus for gripping a substrate in accordance with this method has the supporting element or elements on one side in a fixed position and the other movable towards the substrate to apply the gripping force, the resillient means being disposed between said other element or elements and the driving means for said movement. There is also described an optical sensing system for positioning the supporting element relative to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Tet Techno Investment Trust Settlement
    Inventors: Cosmas Malin, Harry Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 5082268
    Abstract: Apparatus for accurately dispensing and positioning a credit card onto a predetermined area of a surface, includes a support tray which supports a stack of cards; a pusher assembly including a pusher plate which pushes out a leading edge of a lowermost one of the cards in the stack; gripper jaws which grip the lowermost edge of the pushed out card; and a control assembly which controls the gripper jaws to grip the lowermost edge of the pushed out card, to move over the predetermined area of the surface and to then release the gripped card so that the latter drops onto the predetermined area of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: J.A.D. Enterprises of New York, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Santoro
  • Patent number: 5074745
    Abstract: The apparatus for feeding packaging machines with stacks of sheet material comprises a unit for removing and transferring stacks of sheet material which are arranged mutually side by side on supports, so as to form superimposed layers separated by supporting trays which have, in an upward position, ridges which define, below each stack, a through opening. The removal and transfer unit has a head provided with a grip element which can laterally approach each stack through the opening, grip the stack in a clamp-like manner and transfer it to a station for feeding the material in sheets to the packaging machine. A device for removing the emptied supporting trays is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: G.D. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Armando Neri
  • Patent number: 5070564
    Abstract: A tool suitable for breaking loose foreign material wedged between a gate box lid and a gate box and also the foreign material wedged into the recesses on the gate box lid. The tool also may be used to grab hold and lift the gate box lid for removal and replacement of the same. To achieve these functions the tool embodies a slide hammer, a drive nut and chisel and a set of jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Victor W. Fey
  • Patent number: 5062227
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for breaking objects such as concrete or similar material, which device is provided with a pair of jaws having teeth which are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot pin. The device is designed to be coupled to the end of the arm of an excavator or the like by use of a hinge pin. A strut is provided between a first jaw and the arm of the excavator, while a setting cylinder coupled to the arm of the excavator with one end is coupled to the second jaw with its other end, in such a manner that the second jaw can be pivoted towards and away from the first jaw by use of said setting cylinder. The device is thereby provided with a coupling piece to be coupled to the end of the arm of the excavator by use of the hinge pin, while the first jaw is connected with the coupling piece in a point which, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin, is located between the hinge pin and the point of attachment of the strut to the first jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Verachtert Beheer B.V.
    Inventors: Gertrudis M. G. De Gier, Jan R. Sytstra
  • Patent number: 5056982
    Abstract: Apparatus to facilitate the handling of large rolls of paper stock or similar material consisting of two clamping fixtures adapted to be mounted on the tines of a forklift truck and a shaft that passes through the center of large rolls of paper stock or similar material and is also passed through the clamping fixtures, the apparatus facilitating handling of the rolls by the forklift truck. Each of the clamping fixtures includes a sleeve conforming to the profile of a fork tine, a clamping bracket affixed to the sleeve, and a bottom lock bolt for securing the sleeve to a fork tine at an adjustable position on the fork tine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Data Services Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian W. Stockham
  • Patent number: 5042862
    Abstract: A gripping device for transporting a stack of flexible sheets includes two substantially horizontally spaced, parallel tines arranged for supporting the stack; and a counterelement supported above the tines in alignment with the spacing therebetween. The counterelement has a horizontal dimension in a direction parallel to the spacing between the two tines. A horizontal dimension is smaller than the spacing between the two tines. A device moves the counterelement substantially vertically towards or away from the tines. When an unstabilized stack of flexible sheets is received on the two tines and the counterelement is moved towards the two tines for gripping and stabilizing the stack therebetween, the counterelement and the two tines produce a curvilinear bending in the stack about a horizontal axis oriented parallel to the two tines when the counterelement is moved past an initial plane containing a top layer of the unstabilized stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: System GmbH
    Inventor: Axel B. Tubke
  • Patent number: 5042640
    Abstract: A gripping and conveying apparatus includes at least one gripper having jaws which are supported in an orientation where the jaws are attracted together by gravity. Magnets are mounted in the opposing surfaces of the jaws to hold the jaws together and grip the articles to be conveyed. The grippers are mounted on a breakaway arm mechanism. Cams and cam followers are used to separate the jaws at selected locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: IDAB Incorporated
    Inventors: Miguel C. Goizueta, Scott E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5033785
    Abstract: A clamp mechanism (20) for holding and transporting parts such as wire (16) and terminals (18) to connector blocks (12) where transport paths require precision and limited space includes a scissors-like clamp (42,52) confined in a housing (24-28) with such clamp driven to move and close by toggle/cam (60,38) in a single sided movement by a single driving mechanism such as a pneumatic cylinder (22), and to open upon the reverse stroke by a spring (66) all defined by a single reciprocating stroke of the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: William J. Woolley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5018937
    Abstract: A robotic tool is provided for temporarily positioning shearclips against structural members. The device incorporates a movable jaw linkage which provides sufficient clamping force for withdrawing a shearclip from an adhesively retained position in a storage tray. After a shearclip is removed from the storage tray, the movable jaw is displaced to a non-clamping position and vacuum retention of the shearclip is relied upon. The present robotic device achieves two time-saving objectives in the assembly of aircraft. It permits rapid preparation of shearclips as well as rapid mechanical-handling deployment of a prepared shearclip for utilization with a structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Hans M. Kolstee
  • Patent number: 5017080
    Abstract: A hand truck for lifting and transporting objects. The truck includes an elongated frame attached to a wheel assembly. A carriage is mounted on the frame to travel the length of the frame. The carriage includes a load bed that extends across the frame, and at least one protrusion located below the load bed that extends above the load bed. A seizing arm is pivotally attached to the carriage above the load body and has a seizing arm with a grip point directed toward the load body. The seizing arm has a stem that extends beyond the pivot point attachment opposite the seizing arm body. A winch with cable are attached to the top of the frame. The free end of the cable is attached to the seizing arm stem. Retracting the cable causes the seizing arm to pivot so the grip point is forced against as object located on the carriage. The force of the seizing arm is sufficient to secure the object between the grip point and the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Blue Arrown Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Thorndike, Vaino J. Holopainen
  • Patent number: 4995501
    Abstract: A card transport apparatus (12) carries cards along a card transport path through card processing stations (14, 74, 76). The transport apparatus (14) includes a vertically adjustable card carriage (16) for retaining cards along a card transport path throughout the entire card processing operation through the card processing stations (14, 74, 76). The card carriage (16) grips the cards with independently pivoting gripping arms (52, 54), actuated open by push solenoids (18, 20, 22) for picking up and releasing cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lundstrom, Benjamin H. Sannel, Dennis J. Warwick
  • Patent number: 4995778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripping apparatus for carrying along a adhesive panel of material and includes a carriage which is movably guided in the longitudinal direction of the panel and a holding tong disposed on the carriage with its long arms being configured to be adhesion reducing on their interior sides. To improve the economy and operational reliability of the gripping apparatus, it is proposed to equip the interior sides of the tong arms with a continuous adhesion reducing sheet which is pre-tensioned by means of a tensioning frame and to make the adhesion reducing sheet movable with a carriage. Displacement of the holding tongs, which is caused by the movement of the carriage results in a movement of the adhesion reducing sheet in the direction toward the front sections of the tong arms at the same velocity in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Krupp Maschinentechnik Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Richard Brussel
  • Patent number: 4982988
    Abstract: A plate gripper mechanism attachable to a robotic arm structure for transferring a sheet metal plate to or from a work station, e.g., stamping press, welding machine, milling machine, rivet machine, etc. The gripper mechanism utilizes a small commercially available fluid motor actuator in direct drive connection with a rotary shaft in the gripper mechanism, whereby the mechanism is relatively small and light. The mechanism is preferably constructed from bar stock, plate and tube stock; no special castings, stampings or forgings are used in preferred practice of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mif-Sud Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4968081
    Abstract: A non-contact actuator assembly for a newspaper gripper includes a magnet disposed on a gripper release arm. The release arm passes beneath an electromagnet disposed adjacent the workpath of the gripper. The position of the gripper is sensed and a suitable signal provided to an associated voltage supply. A pulse width modulated voltage quickly and effectively induces a magnetic field in the electromagnet as the magnet in the release arm passes thereby and the magnetic field collapses quickly so as not to actuate the next gripper. The magnetic field urges the release arm to an actuated position so that opposed clamping jaws of the gripper open to release a gripped sheet product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Hall Processing Systems
    Inventors: Timothy Beight, Richard Grabowski
  • Patent number: 4946328
    Abstract: These loaders for transfer of cargo containers or semitrailers to and from railway cars etc. have parallel swinging links vertically connecting the load-spreader support end of the lift arm with the end of the arm which is mounted to a pivot. The links are free to swing back when the loadspreader engages a vehicle to cushion and carry the load-spreader aligned with the vehicle for transfer across the chord of a transfer arc. A weight extends the links out at the bottom to extend the loadspreader to swing back through vertical for least change in elevation. The load arm is supported on wheels to run on the cam track at or near the same elevation that is mounted to swing up and down on the mount about the pivot, so the cam track wheels run on a substantially uniform radius from the pivot. The inner end of the arm extends up to support the top ends of the swinging links which depend to support the outer end of the arm or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Leonard D. Barry
  • Patent number: 4938517
    Abstract: A clamp of the type comprising a body which, equipped with a gripper has a clevis-shaped part consisting, on the one hand, of a fixed jaw and, on the other hand, of a mobile jaw in the shape of a pivoting cam subjected to the action of a spring, the mobile jaw being releasable from its open position by a trigger pivotably mounted on the body and protruding inside the clevis. This clamp comprises a locking hook for locking the mobile jaw in the open position, independently of the trigger and actuatable by the latter during its pivoting motion in a direction of disengagement of the opening of the clevis, under the pressure of a sheet or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Charles Langloy
  • Patent number: 4932698
    Abstract: A device is provided for gripping, lifting and manipulating wooden logs intended to be entered into the combustion zone of a furnace. The device has a straight rigid staff having a fixed gripping arm at its forwardmost extremity. A sliding assembly, which slidably engages the staff by way of an encircling collar, is equipped with an actuator handle, a moving gripping arm, a lever portion, and two fulcrum elbows. When the actuator handle is squeezed toward the staff, the two fulcrum elbows cause the moving gripping arm to angle toward the opposed fixed gripping arm. Such action exerts holding force upon a log contacted by the two gripping arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Richard B. Porter
  • Patent number: 4930825
    Abstract: Plant uprooting apparatus having a pair of jaws movable relatively to one another between open and closed positions in response to movements by a person of an actuating grip and linkage. The movement in one direction of the grip is limited so that the force that must be exerted by the person to maintain the jaws in their closed position is minimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Timothy C. Dearman
  • Patent number: 4921294
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for gripping sheet materials such as a folded newspaper includes a fixed jaw and a movable jaw for engaging opposite surfaces of the article. The jaws are supported on a base block for pivotal movement relative to each other. The movable jaw is made of spring wire and includes a pair of gripping tangs, a pair of spring coils associated one with each gripping tang, and a pressing element extending between the gripping tangs. The movable jaw is pivotally mounted on a shaft about which the spring coils are wrapped. The spring coils bias the clamp arm as a whole, and also the gripping tangs, independently of one another, into clamping relation toward the fixed clamp arm. The pressing element clamps and presses the lower folded edge of a folded newspaper being held in the gripper assembly. The movable clamp arm is made from a single continuous piece of spring wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: AM International Incorporated
    Inventor: Andrew L. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 4884836
    Abstract: The plate lifting clamp of the present invention includes linkage disposed on the clamp with one end of the linkage connected to the lifting shackle and the other end of the linkage connected to a cam rotatably mounted on the clamp. A spring on the linkage causes the cam to rotate against the work piece gripping the work piece between the cam and a swivel pad mounted on the clamp. A further force is applied to the rotation of the cam as the work piece is lifted on the lifting shackle by the hoist. An operating handle is rotatably disposed on the clamp whereby when rotated to the open position, will cause the cam to rotate away from the work piece and open the clamp. A spring biased locking mechanism is provided on the clamp to lock the operating handle into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Maye, Moon Choung
  • Patent number: 4878577
    Abstract: A peg is provided for use in overhead conveyors for carrying trousers between work stations in an industrial pressing process. The body of the peg comprises an elongated rigid base having preferably two inverted V-shaped plates and twp strips secured thereto. An elongated rectangular prism, having two contact surfaces, is located within the legs of the inverted V-shaped plates and is secured by means of handles passing through each of the strips. A respective contact surface of the rectangular prism can be tilted from one of the legs of the inverted V-shaped plates to the other. A cylindrical rod is attached at one end to the rigid base by means that enable the rod and the peg body to rotate independently against each other. The other end of the rod is in the form of a hook which is connected to the overhead conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Investronica, S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Romero Lledo, Fernando Diaz Zorita, Juan Cristos
  • Patent number: 4854626
    Abstract: A fish retrieving tool is presented comprising a main frame having a hollow handle, a shaft and a lower stationary jaw; an upper, pivotably attached jaw; a spring for biasing said jaws in a normally open position and a mechanism for closing the jaws when necessary. The upper jaw is biased open by a pair of flat springs. The jaws are closed by operating a lever in the hollow handle which in turn applies a compression force to the upper jaw which over comes the normally open bias of the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: Roger S. Duke
  • Patent number: 4850133
    Abstract: An ecology bug catcher for efficiently trapping a bug without killing it includes a hollow tube with a first end and a second end, a catching mechanism for catching a bug, an ejecting mechanism and a triggering mechanism. The catching mechanism has a first position in which it is resiliently biased so that it is normally closed and a second position in which it is held open. The catching mechanism is slidably coupled into the hollow tube at the first end so that the hollow tube holds it in the second position until the catching mechanism is ejected from the hollow tube and returns to the first position. The ejecting mechanism ejects the catching mechanism from the hollow tube. The triggering mechanism releases the catching mechanism. The ejecting mechanism includes a plug, a spring and a connector and ejects the catching mechanism in order to catch a bug. The plug is mechanically coupled to the hollow tube adjacent to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventors: Louis Burzdak, Timothy D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4844525
    Abstract: A combination barbeque fork and spatula tool which can be inserted under a food item with an upper pivoted pointed or barbed portion that can grasp the food item so it can be picked up and turned over or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Gary A. Zimmerman
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Tarlow, Gary A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4834442
    Abstract: A device for lifting metal plate or the like includes a substantially U-shaped housing which contains a toothless eccentric cam and a shackle. The toothless eccentric cam is mounted to the shackle by use of a connecting link and a radius link. The radius link is pivotably mounted to the housing so that when force is exerted on the shackle, a force is then exerted on the radius link which causes the connecting link to rotate the toothless eccentric cam into the throat of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Moon M. Choung
  • Patent number: 4830174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for securing objects. The device comprises a frame and a locking arm, having a pivot end, by which the locking arm is pivotally mounted in the frame and an opposite free locking end. The frame includes a member for carrying the locking arm and surfaces, against which the free end of the locking arm is positioned in a securing position, securing the object lying in between the free end and the surfaces. The free end is removable into a releasing position by pivoting the locking arm. The surfaces are provided to restrict the pivotal motion of the locking arm in one direction of pivoting. The surfaces form a limit stop, forming part of two legs with an interspace betweem them, into which the locking end of the locking arm projects in the securing position. The legs have at least one stop surface limiting the pivoting movement of the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Mats I. Davidsson
  • Patent number: 4820112
    Abstract: A claw attachment for use in conjunction with the bucket of a backhoe or excavator for removing large boulders and other objects from the surface of the ground or from a partially embedded position within the ground. The claw is removably mounted in a fixed bracket on the earth moving machine and can be secured in a first or operative position on the "crowd" and then relocated to a second or storage position on said "crowd". In configuration, the claw resembles the claw of a Maine lobster, but with a pair of normally disposed outward extending ears toward the front thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Ralph Mullican
  • Patent number: 4817780
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing objects comprising a locking arm (6) which is pivotally mounted in a frame (2) and in a securing position is forced against a surface of the frame with the object lying in between and is swung into a released position from the securing position. The surface forms a limit stop for the locking arm (6) which restricts the pivotal motion of the locking arm (6) in one direction of pivoting. The apparatus incorporates devices (7) for rearranging the locking arm in such a way that it is able to swing past the limit stop into a released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Mats I. Davidsson
  • Patent number: 4781516
    Abstract: A vehicle such as a conventional hostler tractor to which equipment has been added to enable the vehicle to also lift and move separable rail bogies. The added equipment includes a boom arm apparatus which is pivotally mounted to the tractor for movement from a stowed position adjacent the vehicle cab to a deployed position wherein it is resting upon and disposed across a fifth wheel coupling device of the tractor. The boom apparatus can be coupled to the rail bogie with a pick up shoe assembly, for example. Then, the boom apparatus can be lifted by elevating the fifth wheel coupling device so that the tractor can transport the rail bogie. When the vehicle is used to tow semitrailers, the boom apparatus can be lifted for example with a hydraulic cylinder, so as to be in its stowed position adjacent to the vehicle cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventors: Christopher A. Cripe, Alan R. Cripe
  • Patent number: 4781518
    Abstract: A tree gripping device adapted to be mounted on the top of a bulldozer blade. The device has a base member mounted on top of the blade, the base member projecting past one side of the blade. A gripping arm is pivotally mounted on the projecting portion of the base member, the arm extending along the side of the blade. Actuating structures move the gripping arm toward the side of the blade to grip a tree between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Equipements Denis Inc.
    Inventor: Jack W. Paavila
  • Patent number: 4770597
    Abstract: The combination of a dipper stick and pivotable bucket of a backhoe and a detachable, folding, clamping device attached to the dipper stick, the clamping device comprising an elongated jaw member pivotably attached to the distal end of the dipper stick and having a serrated member facing the bucket, the jaw member being pivotable to an operative position substantially perpendicular to the dipper stick and to an inoperative position parallel to and closely adjacent to the dipper stick; and a bracing support member pivotably attached to the free end of the jaw member and attachable to said dipper stick when in the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Richard S. Powers
  • Patent number: 4768819
    Abstract: A combination barbeque fork and spatula tool which can be inserted under a food item with an upper pivoted pointed or barbed portion that can grasp the food item so it can be picked up and turned over or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Gary A. Zimmerman
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Tarlow, Gary A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4767146
    Abstract: Holding tongs for holding printed circuit boards suspended in a galvanizing bath includes two halves, of which the movable half is subdivided into two portions pivotable relative to the stationary half of the tongs against the action of the springs. Both halves of the tongs have clamping projections to clamp the boards in a suspended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Haase
  • Patent number: 4767091
    Abstract: A safety device for mounting on a beam section including a body comprising two articulated portions having projections which produce a wedging effect on the beam section when under the pull of a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: G.A.M.E.S.
    Inventor: Bernard G. Cuny
  • Patent number: 4758036
    Abstract: A grabbing device intended to be mounted on the end of the arm of a robot and comprising a plate equipped with a pair of claws mounted in facing relation on the plate, with one claw being slidably mounted on the plate and the other claw being pivotably mounted thereon. The fastening between the robot arm and the plate comprises first and second mutually parallel pivot axes (Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2), the pivot axes being perpendicular to the surface of the plate. The grabbing device of the present invention also includes a mechanism for pivoting the plate about at least one of the axes, a mechanism for blocking or releasing the plate relative to the other of the axes, and a sensor for measuring the pivoting angle of the plate about each of the axes (Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2). The grabbing device is particularly well suited for handling refractory bricks in a robotized apparatus for repairing a metallurigical convertor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Edouard Legille, Emile Lonardi, Victor Kremer
  • Patent number: 4756066
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inserting the gerotor oil pump assembly into the housing of an engine. The present invention provides a first jaw and a second jaw which allow the gear assembly to be picked up by the robot or the like while at the same time decreasing the possibility of lock up between the primary outer and secondary inner gears of the gerotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Scharlacken, Samuel Bergamo
  • Patent number: 4753473
    Abstract: A gripper for a remotely controlled material handling apparatus. The gripper includes two cooperatively movable gripping jaws engaged by the support arm of the material handling apparatus, and a control cable secured at one end to one of the pair of jaws and at the other end to the remote control apparatus to facilitate opening and closing of the jaws about an object of interest. The jaws are adapted for being secured to the support arm of the handling apparatus in either a horizontal gripping position or in a vertical gripping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventor: Edward M. Arnett
  • Patent number: 4743056
    Abstract: Improved lifting tongs are provided which are particularly suitable for use in lifting heavy sections of cylindrical pipe. The lifting tongs are comprised of first and second opposing jaws and first and second mounting plates which are respectively rigidly joined to the first and second jaws. The mounting plates are arranged in mutually overlapping parallel disposition in spaced separation from each other. First and Second crank or cam levers are interposed in the gap between the mounting plates, and are rotatably secured relative thereto. The crank levers have cam lobes which act against corresponding cam surfaces on the jaws to force the jaws together with about a 4 to 1 mechanical advantage when the tongs are lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Marc C. Oliason
  • Patent number: 4729711
    Abstract: A hand truck for lifting and transporting objects. The truck includes an elongated frame attached to a wheel assembly. A carriage is mounted on the frame to travel the length of the frame. The carriage includes a load bed that extends across the frame, and at least one proturbance located below the load bed that extends above the load bed. A seizing arm is pivotally attached to the carriage above the load body and has a seizing arm with a grip point directed toward the load body. The seizing arm has a stem that extends beyond the pivot point attachment opposite the seizing arm body. A winch with cable are attached to the top of the frame. The free end of the cable is attached to the seizing arm stem. Retracting the cable causes the seizing arm to pivot so the grip point is forced against as object located on the carriage. The force of the seizing arm is sufficient to secure the object between the grip point and the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Charles E. Thorndike
    Inventor: Vaino J. Holopainen
  • Patent number: 4721335
    Abstract: A post-puller adapted to be utilized by a farmer or similar person who is riding on a tractor or equivalent piece of equipment, the tractor having an attachment with the capacity to produce a vertical lifting load--to pull a fence post out of the ground. The apparatus includes a cage-like frame with an opening that passes centrally through the frame, the apparatus being adapted to pass over the top end of the post to be pulled. The cage-like frame has two spaced gripping members on its interior; these gripping members are preferably made of angle iron that is oriented so that the apex of the 90 degree angle will bear against a post that is positioned inside the cage. A lever is pivotally mounted on the side of the cage opposite the gripping members, and the lever has a surface or edge that bears against one side of a fence post to wedge it against the gripping members on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Inventor: Paul Krenek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4715640
    Abstract: Locator device for locating modular electronic components centrally with respect to a nozzle of an apparatus for attaching the components to a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The locator device comprises a component support member for supporting a component to be located centrally with respect to the nozzle of a component attachment apparatus, and a component centralizing element associated with the component support member and engageable with the nozzle for centralizing the component with respect to the nozzle prior to soldering of the component to the printed circuit board. When the component has been centralized with respect to the nozzle, the component is maintained in its centralized position by attachment to a source of vacuum disposed within the nozzle. This facilitates removal of the locator device from the nozzle to leave the component disposed centrally within the nozzle attached to the source of vacuum and ready for installation on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Pace Incorporated
    Inventor: Vincent P. Barkley
  • Patent number: 4681213
    Abstract: A gripper assembly includes a movable clamp member which is rotatable relative to a stationary clamp member from a fully open position to any one of a plurality of closed positions to grip an article of a selected size between clamp members. When a releasable clutch or retainer assembly is in an engaged condition, the clutch prevents rotation of the movable clamp member from any one of the closed positions back to the fully open position. An actuator assembly is operable to release the clutch to enable the movable clamp member to rotate back to the fully open position. The clutch includes a coil spring having a plurality of turns which grip surfaces connected with the stationary and movable clamp members when the clutch is in the engaged condition. The actuator assembly operates the clutch from the engaged condition to the release condition by applying a force to the turns of the coil spring urging the turns to flex in a direction tending to increase the diameter of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Harris Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Winiasz
  • Patent number: 4681359
    Abstract: A belt gripping device is constructed for grasping a length of conveyor b by the use of clamping surfaces adapted to engage upper and lower faces of the belt and with pivoting clamping elements. The clamping surfaces are located clear of the middle of the belt and a transverse, telescoping connecting element is used to maintain the pivoting clamping elements at an adjustable distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: MATO Maschinen- und Metallwarenfabrik Curt Matthaei GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Hermann Stolz
  • Patent number: 4662667
    Abstract: Optical record disc handling apparatus for avoiding contamination of optical disc surfaces. A U-shaped handle supports on a first extending leg a centering post approximately midway between an inside edge of the supporting leg and the optical disc center. A remaining extending leg supports a pivotal gripping member which may be operated by the index finger. The pivotal gripping member is pivotal between a disc grasping position and disc releasing position. The centering post is advantageously spring loaded in the axial direction to permit a slight downward force to be applied to a centering hub in the disc storage package. The device is capable of being manufactured by standard injection molding techniques which are simple and economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventors: Robert J. Gilligan, Jesse Green
  • Patent number: 4659277
    Abstract: Provided herein is a forklift attachment which is easily assembled and disassembled from the forklift including a mounting bracket, two independently pivotable, hydraulically actuated arms pivotally connected to the bracket where the arms are positioned to cooperate with the forklift tines, two hydraulic jacks one each associated with and pivotally connected to each arm and pivotally connected to the bracket to rotate themselves and cause rotation of the arms when actuated, and a hydraulic fluid and control system adapted to prevent obstruction of forklift operations and to permit independent actuation of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Lloyd Widener
  • Patent number: 4647098
    Abstract: The hoist clamp has a coupling eye (7) which has a gimbal-type connection by means of the shafts (5,6) to clamp operating crank (14). When a diagonal pull is exerted, the neck (42) of the coupling eye (7) engages against a bracing point (3,4) which is sufficiently high above the shaft (6) to ensure that the lever action provides extra clamping force between the clamps (11,12). When the coupling eye (7) swings about the shaft (5), the coupling eye engages against the upper edges (1,2) of the casing (8), said edges curving outwards, so that additional clamping force is also obtained when the pull exerted is diagonal. Said additional clamping force is only marginally affected by the load (32) held in the load aperture (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Firma Pfeifer Seil-und Hebetechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Peter Hoyer, Gerd Ullrich
  • Patent number: 4644651
    Abstract: An instrument for cutting, gripping or clamping includes a base arm with a fixed jaw at one end thereof, and a movable jaw pivotally attached to the arm adjacent the fixed jaw. Also included is a shank, one end of which is pivotally connected to the movable jaw, with the shank extending generally parallel to the arm over its full length. An elongated handle which overlies the shank includes a laterally extending section which is pivotally connected to the other end of the arm and to the other end of the shank. When the handle is pivoted toward the shank, the movable jaw is caused to pivot toward the fixed jaw, and when the handle is pivoted away from the shank, the movable jaw is caused to pivot away from the fixed jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Jacobsen Research Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: D325688
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Randall C. Schreib