US3675962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gripping
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1970-06-04
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-06-04
Abstract
Abstract Use of an object-engaging device in the form of a deformable non-stretch container enclosing a sealed volume of fluent granular material is proposed for at least one of a plurality of force applying members in a gripping apparatus. The container is preferably of a double-walled construction with two flexible walls of which one is elastic, and the inner part is preferably sub-divided. Incorporation of a pressure transducer to indicate applied force conveniently involves the use of electrically conductive granular material to act as a variable resistor.
Inventors
- 👤 David Cumming Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:03
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J15/0023; B65; B65G; B65G7/00; B65G7/12; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/46; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S294/00; Y10S294/902; Y10S294/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An object-gripping apparatus, comprising: at least two force applying members; means for moving at least one of said members toward and away from others of said members for engaging and releasing objects; at least one of said members having a deformable, object engaging device thereon, comprising: a body of fluent material; a first wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material, said first wall means including a flexible, elastic portion; a non-stretch wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material, said non-stretch wall means including a flexible portion; the flexible, elastic portion of the first wall means being in extensive surface-to-surface engagement with the flexible portion of the non-stretch wall means to define a composite container, said fluent material normally substantially but loosely filling said composite container, the flexible, elastic portion of the first wall means being so elastic that when the composite container is deformed by engagement with an object, with insufficient force of engagement to compress the body of fluent material to complete non-fluency, the flexible, elastic portion of the first wall means substantially restores the composite container to a predetermined shape having the smallest surface area for the enclosed volume thereof, upon release of the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An object-gripping apparatus, comprising: at least two force applying members; means for moving at least one of said members toward and away from others of said members for engaging and releasing objects; at least one of said members having a deformable, object engaging device thereon, comprising: a body of fluent material; a first wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material, said first wall means including a flexible, elastic portion; a non-stretch wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material, said non-stretch wall means including a flexible portion; the flexible, elastic portion of the first wall means being in extensive surface-to-surface engagement with the flexible portion of the non-stretch wall means to define a composite container, said fluent material normally substantially but loosely filling said composite container, the flexible, elastic portion of the first wall means being so elastic that when the composite container is deformed by engagement with an object, with insufficient force of engagement to compress the body of fluent material to complete non-fluency, the flexible, elastic portion of the first wall means substantially restores the composite container to a predetermined shape having the smallest surface area for the enclosed volume thereof, upon release of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The object-gripping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall means lies witHin the non-stretch wall means; wherein the first wall means is composed of electrically insulating material and further includes portions thereof defining compartment walls dividing said body of fluent material into a plurality of mutually segregated portions; at least one of said portions containing electrically conductive particles; and pressure transducer probe means leading from said one portion, through said wall means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
An object-gripping apparatus, comprising: at least two force applying members; means for moving at least one of said members toward and away from others of said members for engaging and releasing objects; at least one of said members having a deformable, object engaging device thereon, comprising: a body of fluent material; a flexible, elastic wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material; a non-stretch wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material, said non-stretch wall means including a flexible portion; the first-mentioned wall means being in extensive surface-to-surface engagement with the second-mentioned wall means to define a composite container, said fluent material normally substantially but loosely filling said composite container; the flexible, elastic wall means lying within the non-stretch wall means; wherein the flexible, elastic wall means is composed of electrically insulating material and further includes portions thereof defining compartment walls dividing said body of fluent material into a plurality of mutually segregated portions; at least one of said portions containing electrically conductive particles; and pressure transducer probe means leading from said one portion, through said wall means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
180 words
An object-gripping apparatus, comprising: at least two force applying members; means for moving at least one of said members toward and away from others of said members for engaging and releasing objects; at least one of said members having a deformable, object engaging device thereon, comprising: a body of fluent material; a flexible, elastic wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material; a non-stretch wall means completely surrounding said body of fluent material, said non-stretch wall means including a flexible portion; the first-mentioned wall means being in extensive surface-to-surface engagement with the second-mentioned wall means to define a composite container, said fluent material normally substantially but loosely filling said composite container; the flexible, elastic wall means lying within the non-stretch wall means; wherein the flexible, elastic wall means is composed of electrically insulating material and further includes portions thereof defining compartment walls dividing said body of fluent material into a plurality of mutually segregated portions; at least one of said portions containing electrically conductive particles; and pressure transducer probe means leading from said one portion, through said wall means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3318629A
Cited
US3509583A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |