Abstract: Gripping apparatus for the tongs of a remote manipulator having two generally triangular symmetrical elongated projections, each articulated to a tong body and having a rear end piece opposite to the end of the projection, wherein a detachable member which is fixed to each object to be manipulated and having a central portion which can be seized between the projections of the tongs, a supporting edge for the end piece of the projections projecting on either side of the central portion and two parallel flanges extending perpendicularly to the plane of the central portion on either side of the latter in order to cover the tong projections fastened to the central portion. A particular application of the apparatus is to handle radioactive materials in an active cell.

Abstract: A spring system mounted on a supporting bar which is rigidly fixed to an element of a remote manipulator is continuously applied against the motion-transmission belts or cables with a substantially constant force in order to take up the slack of these latter. The spring system is constituted by a series of parallel leaf-spring elements equal in number to the cables or belts to be tensioned, each element being constituted by an auxiliary spring-leaf applied against a main spring-leaf. A bridge-piece is fitted at the end of the main spring-leaf and mounted astride the corresponding belt or cable.