Abstract: A grapple device for grasping, holding and releasing an object having a deformable cover material such as sacks and bags, has a mounting bracket and two rollers. The rollers are pushed toward each other by the force of at least one spring. When the rollers are powered to spin, the inward spinning of the rollers causes the sack material to be dragged in between the rollers due to friction between the surfaces of the rollers and the sack material. The spring pushes the rollers toward each other with sufficient force to hold the sack material in place between the rollers. The grapple device also includes a holding mechanism to engage at least one of the rollers and prevent rotation of the roller when engaged, so that when sack material is located in the inter-roller region and the holding mechanism is engaged, the contact between the sack material and rollers causes the sack to be held by the grapple device.

Abstract: The invention provides a grapple device and a method for manipulating, i.e., grabbing, holding and releasing objects. The grapple comprises two parallel rollers with gripping surfaces, where the rollers are pushed towards each other with sufficient force to hold a graspable portion of a deformable object. When the grapple comes onto contact with any portion of the deformable object, a signal activates a set of gears causing the rollers to rotate in opposing directions so that a graspable portion of the object is dragged between the rollers. When sufficient material is caught between the rollers, a signal activates a brake automatically stopping the rotation of the rollers, whereby the rollers then hold the graspable portion of the object allowing the object to be moved to a desired location. When the object is properly located, a signal is generated which causes the rollers to rotate in the opposite direction to release the object.