US3638909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gripping means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-13
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
•
Expires: 1990-11-13
Abstract
Abstract In a gripping means comprising a gripping jaw, or a pair of gripping jaws, mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be gripped can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw or jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, the or each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the or each gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be gripped. The gripping means is particularly suitable for use in withdrawing piles from the ground. It may also be used in quickrelease shackles and tensioning devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Oliver Richard Dew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:17
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/48; E; E02; E02D; E02D13/00; E02D13/10; E02D9/00; E02D9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A gripping means comprising a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be gripped can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be gripped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A gripping means comprising a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be gripped can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be gripped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
A gripping means comprising a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be gripped can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
A gripping means comprising a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be gripped can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gripping means according to claim 2, in which the cross-sectional shape the gap between the walls, in planes perpendicular to the axis of the slot is rectangular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gripping means according to claim 3, in which the inner and outer portions of the outwardly facing surface of the or each gripping jaw have plane surface portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gripping means according to claim 2, in which the spring means comprises a leaf spring having two Limbs, each limb being interposed between one of said opposed walls of the slot and the inner and outer portions of the outwardly facing surface of a respective gripping jaw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gripping means according to claim 5, in which the leaf spring consists of a single leaf or a plurality of nested leaves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gripping means according to claim 2, in which a hole communicating with the slot extends right through the support means, the axis of the hole passing through the open mouth of the slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gripping means according to claim 2, in which the angle B is made equal to or substantially equal to half the angle A at which said opposed walls of the slot converge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A gripping means according to claim 8, in which the angle A is from 18* to 23* .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gripping means according to claim 9, in which the angle A is 18*, the angle B is 9* and the angle C is from 11* to 14* .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gripping means according to claim 10, in which the angle C is 12* .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pile-withdrawing means comprising a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which a pile to be withdrawn from the ground can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the pile to be withdrawn.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pile-withdrawing means comprising a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which a pile to be withdrawn from the ground can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the pile to be withdrawn.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
167 words
A pile-withdrawing means comprising a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which a pile to be withdrawn from the ground can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
167 words
A pile-withdrawing means comprising a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which a pile to be withdrawn from the ground can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pile-withdrawing device according to claim 13, in which said support means is provided with an apertured lug or shackle by means of which the support means can be lifted by a hoisting device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
188 words
A quick-release shackle comprising a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be hoisted can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means on the support means enabling connection of the support means to a hoisting device, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be hoisted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
188 words
A quick-release shackle comprising a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be hoisted can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means on the support means enabling connection of the support means to a hoisting device, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be hoisted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
180 words
A quick-release shackle comprising a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be hoisted can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means on the support means enabling connection of the support means to a hoisting device, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portions of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
180 words
A quick-release shackle comprising a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be hoisted can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means on the support means enabling connection of the support means to a hoisting device, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portions of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A quick-release shackle according to claim 16, comprising an adjustable stop means carried by the support means, which stop means limits the movement of the jaws in the direction away from said open mouth of the slot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A quick-release shackle according to claim 17, in which said adjustable stop means is releasably carried in the support means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A quick-release shackle according to claim 18, in which the adjustable stop means is releasably carried in the support means by a detent and ratchet mechanism.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
195 words
A tensioning device comprising a casing, a support means slidably mounted in the casing, a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in said support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be tensioned can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means for adjusting the position of the support means in the casing, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be tensioned.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
195 words
A tensioning device comprising a casing, a support means slidably mounted in the casing, a gripping jaw mounted in a slot in said support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be tensioned can be entered for engagement by the gripping jaw and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means for adjusting the position of the support means in the casing, characterized in that the gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that the gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface and in that spring means is provided normally urging the outer portion of the inwardly facing surface of the gripping jaw in a direction towards the object to be tensioned.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
187 words
A tensioning device comprising a casing, a support means slidably mounted in the casing, a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be tensioned can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means for adjusting the position of the support means in the casing, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
187 words
A tensioning device comprising a casing, a support means slidably mounted in the casing, a pair of gripping jaws mounted in a slot in a support means, said slot having an open mouth into which an object to be tensioned can be entered for reception between the gripping jaws and opposed plane walls converging towards said open mouth, and means for adjusting the position of the support means in the casing, characterized in that each gripping jaw has an inwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions inclined to one another at an obtuse angle and an outwardly facing surface comprising inner and outer portions also inclined to one another at an obtuse angle such that each gripping jaw has the inner portion of its inwardly facing surface inclined to the outer portion of its outwardly facing surface at an angle B which is smaller than the angle C between the outer portion of its inwardly facing surface and the inner portion of its outwardly facing surface, and spring means normally urging the outer portions of the inwardly facing surfaces of the gripping jaws towards each other.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tensioning device according to claim 21, comprising screw-threaded adjustment means for adjusting the position of the support means in the casing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
A tensioning device according to claim 21, comprising a tension-indicating device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |