Patent US3574386A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3574386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grasping fingers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-06-17
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Improved inflatable grasping or picking fingers forming articlegrasping elements for handling various articles, such as in the picking of fruit from trees or transferring fruit or food from one conveyor to another or depositing the same within containers, each finger having a rigid support or ''''bone'''' and tie means for limiting the radial distention of the finger from the support when it is inflated. In one form of the invention, the outer covering of the finger is connected to the central support by flexible threads or strands. In another form, the outer covering is connected to the central support by a web of sheet fabric disposed transversely or longitudinally of the support. In still another form, the outer contour of the finger is defined by the free portions of a plurality of sections or chambers of flexible material. In one form the sections are partitioned longitudinally of the central support with provision for individually selectively inflating the sections. In another form, the sections are substantially coextensive with and disposed circumferentially about the central support with the longitudinal axes of the sections generally parallel thereto, including means for selectively inflating any or all of the sections; whereby some of the articles being grasped may be dropped while a holding grip is retained on others. In still another form, the sections are partitioned both longitudinally and circumferentially of the central support.
Inventors
- 👤 James D Frost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:36
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/24; B; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J15/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A grasping finger for use in apparatus adapted to grasp discrete articles disposed between a plurality of such elements, comprising an elongated substantially rigid support, a distendable elongated envelope having an outer grasping portion circumscribing said support and of a length substantially coextensive therewith, and tie means within the envelope interconnecting said portion and said support for limiting the extent to which said envelope can be radially displaced from said support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A grasping finger for use in apparatus adapted to grasp discrete articles disposed between a plurality of such elements, comprising an elongated substantially rigid support, a distendable elongated envelope having an outer grasping portion circumscribing said support and of a length substantially coextensive therewith, and tie means within the envelope interconnecting said portion and said support for limiting the extent to which said envelope can be radially displaced from said support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The finger of claim 1 wherein said tie means comprises flexible strands of substantially fixed length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The finger of claim 1 wherein said tie means comprises a sheet of flexible material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The finger of claim 3 wherein said sheet of flexible material is disposed transversely of said support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The finger of claim 1 wherein said tie means comprises sheets of flexible material disposed in longitudinally spaced relation on said support and extending transvErsely thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The finger of claim 5 wherein said transversely extending sheets of flexible material have apertures therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The finger of claim 1 wherein one end of said envelope is provided with protective means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
An article-grasping device comprising a plurality of elongated radially distendable fingers between which relatively fragile articles can be grasped, each of said fingers having an elongated substantially rigid support; an envelope of somewhat flexible material mounted on the support; and tie means within said envelope interconnecting the envelope and said support for limiting the extent to which the fingers are deformed incident to article engagement to insure dependably firm but gently gripping of such articles while precluding engagement of the articles against said rigid supports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
An article-grasping device comprising a plurality of elongated radially distendable fingers between which relatively fragile articles can be grasped, each of said fingers having an elongated substantially rigid support; an envelope of somewhat flexible material mounted on the support; and tie means within said envelope interconnecting the envelope and said support for limiting the extent to which the fingers are deformed incident to article engagement to insure dependably firm but gently gripping of such articles while precluding engagement of the articles against said rigid supports.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 8 in which said tie means comprises a sheet of flexible material of substantially fixed radial dimensions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 9 in which said sheet of flexible material is disposed transversely of said support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 8 in which said tie means comprises a plurality of flexible sheets disposed in longitudinally spaced relation along said support and being transversely extended therefrom a predetermined substantially fixed radial dimension.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 11 including a plurality of per apertures in said sheets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
An article-grasping device comprising a plurality of elongated radially distendable fingers between which relatively fragile articles can be grasped, each of said fingers having an elongated substantially rigid support; means mounting the supports in substantially fixed spaced relation; inflatable envelopes of flexible material individually mounted on the supports having external article engaging surfaces; means for inflating said envelopes; and flexible tie means within said envelopes interconnecting their respective envelopes and their supports for limiting the extent to which the fingers are deformable at and adjacent to the positions of connection of the tie means thereto to preclude excessive radial displacement of the envelopes relative to their respective supports to insure optimum cushioning of the articles being grasped.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
117 words
An article-grasping device comprising a plurality of elongated radially distendable fingers between which relatively fragile articles can be grasped, each of said fingers having an elongated substantially rigid support; means mounting the supports in substantially fixed spaced relation; inflatable envelopes of flexible material individually mounted on the supports having external article engaging surfaces; means for inflating said envelopes; and flexible tie means within said envelopes interconnecting their respective envelopes and their supports for limiting the extent to which the fingers are deformable at and adjacent to the positions of connection of the tie means thereto to preclude excessive radial displacement of the envelopes relative to their respective supports to insure optimum cushioning of the articles being grasped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3347587A
Cited
US3327450A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |