Abstract: A benthic dredge has a hollow body provided with closures at its upper and lower ends which are movable between open and closed positions. The closure at the lower end of the body is in the form of clamshell jaws which are pivotable about an axis located between the upper and lower ends of the body. Movements of the jaws are controlled by vertically reciprocable operating members and a force transmitting toggle linkage. No part of the linkage extends at any time beyond the confines of the body and the linkage is of such construction as to be capable of applying substantial closing force on the jaws as they approach their closed position.

Abstract: This is a multi-purpose apparatus capable of digging, scooping up materials, loading and transporting such to a selected site for unloading with automatic loading and unloading features. It comprises two elongated pieces, curved toward each other at lower portions, and pivoted together near their mid-sections with a pivot pin. The ends of their lower portions have teeth that mesh with each other, when closed. A rod-like member with a knob at its upper end is fixed to the pivot pin. In addition, a shorter tubular slide, with a cylindrical prism at one end and a grooved portion at its bottom end, rides up and down the rod-like member. The tubular slide has provision for either an individual or a robot arm to grasp it and manipulate the apparatus for scratching and digging into the material. This provision also enables one to lift and automatically load the loosened materials.

Abstract: A grab comprising two grab buckets (2,3) pivoted together by means of plate-like carrier arms (15,16,22,23) mounted on a pivotal shaft (8). The carrier arms (15,16,22,23) extend from the bottom of a bucket to beyond the pivotal shaft (8) and are substantially parallel to each other. The carrier arms (15,16) of one bucket (2) are located on opposite sides of a median plane perpendicular to the pivotal shaft. The two carrier arms (15,16) are interconnected at least at their ends (19) and provided with guide pulleys and "close" pulleys (11,12) for guiding the closing ropes (6). The ends (27,28) of the carrier arms (22,23) of the other bucket (3) are made of double-walled construction by means of stiffening plates (25,26) connected to them in spaced relationship thereto. The carrier arms are arranged to pass by each other, so that the grab can be fully opened (FIG. 2b). Closing ropes (6) are secured to the ends of the carrier arms (22,23) of the other bucket (3).

Abstract: A grab comprising a pair of buckets interconnected by way of arms capable of pivoting movement relative to each other, and the free ends of which are provided with sheaves for guiding operating or closing ropes by which the buckets can be opened and closed. The rear edges of the buckets are secured by way of ropes or the like to a cross-beam, to which the hoist ropes are connected. According to the invention, the arms are provided at some distance from their free ends with arcuate bridge members or elevations, directed to one another, which roll one over the other as the grab buckets are opened and closed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bucket assembly, as for example, a clamshell-type bucket assembly for use in a material handling apparatus, such as, for example, a ship unloader. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel bight-of-line reeving system for use in a scissors-type bucket assembly.