US3698756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gripper device having positive engaging and disengaging means
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-08
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1989-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A gripper device for selectively remotely coupling and uncoupling a linearly moving driving member to a member to be driven. The gripper device fixed to the driving member has a plurality of radially flexible fingers with each finger having a gripping surface at its outer end for gripping the member to be driven. Radial movement of the fingers into and out of gripping engagement is controlled by a central locking plunger rod and an outer unlocking sliding sleeve concentric with the flexible fingers. The locking plunger rod and the unlocking sliding sleeve are interconnected for limited relative movement and have cam surfaces oriented thereon, these cam surfaces selectively engaging cam surfaces on the flexible fingers to positively move the fingers into or out of gripping engagement with the driven member upon particular longitudinal movements of the locking plunger rod and unlocking sliding sleeve.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm D Groves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/02; G21C19/10; G21C19/105; G21C3/00; G21C3/02; G21C3/04; G21C3/06; G21C3/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A gripper device for selectively remotely coupling a linearly moving driving member to a member to be driven, the gripper device comprising: elongated gripping means connected to said driving member and selectively engagable with said member to be driven; a positive locking means relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said gripping means into a first position, a second position, and a third position, said positive locking means forcing said gripping means into gripping engagement in said first position and releasing the locking force in said second and third positions; and a positive unlocking means relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said gripping means and said locking means into a first position and a second position; said positive unlocking means forcing said gripping means out of gripping engagement in said first position and releasing the unlocking force in said second position; said unlocking means being in said first position when said locking means is in said third position and said unlocking means being in said second position when said locking means is in either its first or second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A gripper device for selectively remotely coupling a linearly moving driving member to a member to be driven, the gripper device comprising: elongated gripping means connected to said driving member and selectively engagable with said member to be driven; a positive locking means relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said gripping means into a first position, a second position, and a third position, said positive locking means forcing said gripping means into gripping engagement in said first position and releasing the locking force in said second and third positions; and a positive unlocking means relatively longitudinally movable with respect to said gripping means and said locking means into a first position and a second position; said positive unlocking means forcing said gripping means out of gripping engagement in said first position and releasing the unlocking force in said second position; said unlocking means being in said first position when said locking means is in said third position and said unlocking means being in said second position when said locking means is in either its first or second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positive locking means and said positive unlocking means have a connection means therebetween whereby longitudinal movement of said positive locking means between its first and second positions causes no movement of said positive unlocking means and longitudinal movement of said positive locking means between its second and third positions causes movement of said positive unlocking means between its first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said connection means includes a pin-in-slot arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated gripping means includes a cylindrical tube having a plurality of longitudinal slots extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof forming radially flexible fingers therebetween, said flexible fingers having locking and unlocking cam surfaces along the length thereof, said cam surfaces located for respective engagement with said positive locking means and said positive unlocking means upon relative movements thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said fingers has a gripping surface located at the outer portion of one end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said gripping surfaces include a plurality of tooth receiving notches mating with complementary teeth on said member to be driven, the angles of the slope of opposite surfaces between said gripping surface notches being unequal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said positive locking means includes a plunger rod extending through said cylindrical tube along the central axis thereof, said plunger rod having a cam surface at the lower end thereof for positive engagement with the locking cam surfaces of said flexible fingers upon relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said positive unlocking means includes a sliding sleeve positioned concentrically of said cylindrical tube, said sliding sleeve having a cam surface at the lower enD thereof for positive, engagement with the unlocking cam surfaces of said flexible fingers upon relative longitudinal movement therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said plunger rod and said sliding sleeve are interconnected by a pin-in-slot arrangement so as to coordinate the positive locking and unlocking actions thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |