Automatic, Including Bowling Pin Handling Patents (Class 294/199)
  • Patent number: 11186962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for use with a crane (4) on a surface vessel (3), comprising a crane tool (15) attached or attachable to a hoisting cable (5) of the crane (4) and one or more adaptors (16) attached or attachable to one or more tools (11-14, 25) for carrying out operations or to one or more components (2, 10), the crane tool (15) comprising a connector (17) and at least one of the adaptors (16) comprising a connector-counterpart (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Henricus Gerardus Andreas Van Vessem, Boudewijn Casper Jung
  • Patent number: 9062698
    Abstract: For handling and clamping a pipe, an apparatus includes plural clamping elements movably arranged in a device body configured as an annular shell. A positioning element is vertically movably arranged in the device body, and includes an obliquely sloping actuating surface that cooperates with a sliding surface of the clamping elements, so that a vertical or axial motion of the positioning element at least partially causes a horizontal or radial motion of the clamping elements. Also, a vertical or axial motion of the clamping elements is at least partially converted into a horizontal or radial motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Blohm + Voss Oil Tools GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Baier, André Vierke
  • Publication number: 20140265401
    Abstract: A mechanical gripper being adapted to automatically perform a stable pinch grasp and an encompassing grasp and a method of determining a system geometry thereof. The gripper comprising at least one mechanical finger comprising. The at least one mechanical finger comprising a first phalanx and a second phalanx that are pivotally connected. When a load is applied on a stable pinch grasp region, an actuation mechanism is adapted to allow the second phalanx to translate and allow its contact surface to maintain a constant orientation in order to automatically perform a pinch grasp, when a load is applied on the first phalanx or below the stable pinch grasp region, the actuation mechanism is adapted to allow the second phalanx to pivot and automatically perform an encompassing grasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ROBOTIQ INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Alexis Allen Demers, Simon Lefrançois, Jean-Philippe Jobin
  • Publication number: 20130193702
    Abstract: An apparatus for gripping and retaining PET bottles in a filling system includes a passive clamping system having pivotable gripping arms that pivot around corresponding pivot axles and that are acted upon by either a spring or permanent magnets. The first pivotable gripping arm has a first extension on an other side of the first pivot axle and the second pivotable gripping arm has a second extension on an other side of the second pivot axle. The extensions have receptacles for guiding a compression spring and for applying a bending force to the compression spring or to sub-segments thereof These receptacles can be rod-shaped or rail-shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Fahldieck
  • Publication number: 20130127195
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for engaging an article. The apparatus has a base portion, an end portion disposed adjacent the base portion. The end portion is moveable in relation to the base portion generally along the longitudinal centerline. One or more bands are joined to and extend between the base portion and the end portion. At least one of the bands bends away from the longitudinal centerline when the end portion is moved toward the base portion from the disengaged configuration to the activated configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Eric Shawn Goudy, Michel Kenneth Whetstone, William Russel Clem