Gripping device

Claim 1

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. work piece supporting means for supporting a work piece, b. an opening in said work piece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said work piece, said means further including a spool rotatably mounted beneath said opening, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said work piece, e. a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said work piece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for re-engagement with said spool.

Claim 2

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. work piece supporting means for supporting a work piece, b. an opening in said work piece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said work piece, said means further including a spool rotatably mounted beneath said opening, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said work piece, e. a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said work piece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for re-engagement with said spool.

Claim 4

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle defined by a pair of inclined surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration, said pair of inclined surfaces being secured to said pair of opposed side faces, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means comprising a slot located at the intersection of said pair of side faces, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member, and d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, said guide means include a pair of guide rollers disposed beneath and adjacent to said slot, said guide rollers being secured between said side faces in a rotatable relationship.

Claim 5

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle defined by a pair of inclined surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration, said pair of inclined surfaces being secured to said pair of opposed side faces, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means comprising a slot located at the intersection of said pair of side faces, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member, and d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, said guide means include a pair of guide rollers disposed beneath and adjacent to said slot, said guide rollers being secured between said side faces in a rotatable relationship.

Claim 6

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member comprising a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said bInding member being capable of passing about said workpiece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, and e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece after the free end of said binding member has been reengaged by said spool, a knob-like handle connected to said shaft for the initial tensioning of said binding member, and a ratchet type crank connnected to said shaft for the final tensioning of said binding member.

Claim 7

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member comprising a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said bInding member being capable of passing about said workpiece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, and e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece after the free end of said binding member has been reengaged by said spool, a knob-like handle connected to said shaft for the initial tensioning of said binding member, and a ratchet type crank connnected to said shaft for the final tensioning of said binding member.

Claim 8

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member comprising a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said workpiece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece after the free end of said binding member has been reengaged by said spool, and f. locking means comprising a locking disc having a plurality of gear-like teeth disposed about its circumference, said locking disk being connected to said shaft of said spool, a locking member having a detent in engagement with any one of said teeth on said locking disc, said locking member being connected to one of said faces in such a manner that rotation of said spool in a direction which tends to loosen said binding member is prevented, and release means connected to said locking member for releasing the engagement of said detent with said locking disc.

Claim 9

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member comprising a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said workpiece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece after the free end of said binding member has been reengaged by said spool, and f. locking means comprising a locking disc having a plurality of gear-like teeth disposed about its circumference, said locking disk being connected to said shaft of said spool, a locking member having a detent in engagement with any one of said teeth on said locking disc, said locking member being connected to one of said faces in such a manner that rotation of said spool in a direction which tends to loosen said binding member is prevented, and release means connected to said locking member for releasing the engagement of said detent with said locking disc.

Claim 10

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member comprising a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said workpiece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece after the free end of said binding member has been reengaged by said spool, and f. positioning means located in said body for guiding said free end of said binding member into reengagement with said spool.

Claim 11

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece comprising a body which includes at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member comprising a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member disposed about said spool, one end of said binding member being secured to said spool, an intermediate portion of said binding member being located in said opening, and said free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said workpiece to be thereafter inserted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece after the free end of said binding member has been reengaged by said spool, and f. positioning means located in said body for guiding said free end of said binding member into reengagement with said spool.

Claim 16

The apparatus comprising, in combination: a. Workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece, said workpiece supporting means including a body comprising at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, said work supporting cradle being defined by a pair of inclined surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration, said pair of inclined surfaces being secured to said pair of opposed side faces, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, said opening being located at the intersection of said pair of side faces, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and an intermediate portion in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said band supply means further including tensioning means for securing said secured portion of said binding member, said band supply means including a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member being disposed about said spool, one portion of said binding member being secured to said spool, and one free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said workpiece and being secured with another portion of said binding member, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding an intermediate portion of said binding member as said binding member is withdrawn from said spool and retracted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece, and f. locking means for preventing the inadvertent release of the tension of said binding member about said workpiece, said locking means comprising: f-1. a locking disc having a plurality of gearlike teeth disposed about its circumference, said locking disc being fixedly secured to said shaft of said spool, f-2. a locking member having a detent in engagement with one of said teeth on said locking disc, said locking member being connected to one of said side faces in such a manner that rotation of said spool in a direction which tends to loosen said binding member is prevented, and f-3. release means connected to said locking member for releasing the engagement of said detent with said locking disc.

Claim 17

The apparatus comprising, in combination: a. Workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece, said workpiece supporting means including a body comprising at least a pair of opposed side faces and a work supporting cradle, said work supporting cradle being defined by a pair of inclined surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration, said pair of inclined surfaces being secured to said pair of opposed side faces, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, said opening being located at the intersection of said pair of side faces, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and an intermediate portion in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said band supply means further including tensioning means for securing said secured portion of said binding member, said band supply means including a spool rotatably secured between said side faces, a length of said binding member being disposed about said spool, one portion of said binding member being secured to said spool, and one free end of said binding member being capable of passing about said workpiece and being secured with another portion of said binding member, d. guide means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding an intermediate portion of said binding member as said binding member is withdrawn from said spool and retracted into said opening for reengagement with said spool, e. torquing means connected to the shaft of said spool for rotation of said spool to tension said binding member about said workpiece, and f. locking means for preventing the inadvertent release of the tension of said binding member about said workpiece, said locking means comprising: f-1. a locking disc having a plurality of gearlike teeth disposed about its circumference, said locking disc being fixedly secured to said shaft of said spool, f-2. a locking member having a detent in engagement with one of said teeth on said locking disc, said locking member being connected to one of said side faces in such a manner that rotation of said spool in a direction which tends to loosen said binding member is prevented, and f-3. release means connected to said locking member for releasing the engagement of said detent with said locking disc.

Claim 18

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member wherein a pair of free ends of the binding member may be secured to each other about the workpiece, d. guIde means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, and e. positioning means located in said body for guiding a free end of said binding member into reengagement with said spool.

Claim 19

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece, b. an opening in said workpiece supporting means, c. band supply means for providing a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member being in communication with said opening for securing said workpiece, said means further including tensioning means for securing the binding member wherein a pair of free ends of the binding member may be secured to each other about the workpiece, d. guIde means disposed adjacent said opening for guiding said intermediate portion of said binding member as said member is tightened about said workpiece, and e. positioning means located in said body for guiding a free end of said binding member into reengagement with said spool.

Claim 20

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece including a cradle defined by at least a pair of inclined surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration, b. opening means in said workpiece supporting means generally at the intersection of said pair of surfaces, c. a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member passing through said opening means for securing said workpiece, d. tensioning means for securing the binding member including a rotatable spool means mounted generally parallel to said pair of surfaces with the secured portion of said binding member attached to said spool means, the free end of said binding member being adapted to pass back through said opening means for positioning between the secured portion and the spool means, e. torquing means connected to the spool means for rotating said spool means to tension said binding member after the free end has been positioned between the secured portion and the spool means, and f. locking means associated with said spool means for selectively preventing undesired rotation of said spool means.

Claim 21

An apparatus comprising, in combination: a. workpiece supporting means for supporting a workpiece including a cradle defined by at least a pair of inclined surfaces in a generally V-shaped configuration, b. opening means in said workpiece supporting means generally at the intersection of said pair of surfaces, c. a flexible, elongated, extensible binding member having a secured portion and at least one free end, an intermediate portion of said binding member passing through said opening means for securing said workpiece, d. tensioning means for securing the binding member including a rotatable spool means mounted generally parallel to said pair of surfaces with the secured portion of said binding member attached to said spool means, the free end of said binding member being adapted to pass back through said opening means for positioning between the secured portion and the spool means, e. torquing means connected to the spool means for rotating said spool means to tension said binding member after the free end has been positioned between the secured portion and the spool means, and f. locking means associated with said spool means for selectively preventing undesired rotation of said spool means.