US3736018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic claw with locking mechanism
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-09-10
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A claw for grasping and recovering an object is articulated by a hydraulically responsive actuator which additionally has the capability for exerting a substantial gripping force on the object. After the object has been gripped, allowing its recovery, a pawl and ratchet carried on the claw mutually engage to lock the claw in its gripped position. The hydraulic actuator and the pawl-ratchet combination are hydraulically coupled to retain the claw in its locked gripped position in the event of hydraulic failure. With availability of hydraulic pressure, suitable hydraulic connections allow disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet when hydraulic pressure is fed to the claw actuator for causing release of the claw. In an electrohydraulic system, a solenoid actuated pawl and ratchet mechanism, with appropriate connections also provide for locking the claw in its locked position and for its subsequent release.
Inventors
- 👤 J L Sayre
- 👤 K R Fishel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:12
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C3/00; B66C3/14; B66C3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A system for engaging and gripping an object comprising: a pair of jaws sized to grasp said object joined for relative pivotal motion each carrying a compressible pad member on its inner surface to ensure a secure said gripping of said object; a source of hydraulic pressure for enabling the manipulation of said jaws; actuator means being hydraulically actuated and carried on said jaws connected to and being responsive to the source of hydraulic pressure to impart bidirectional said pivotal motion and to exert a gripping force on said object; a ratchet member secured to one jaw; a pawl mechanism mounted on the other jaw and oriented for selective engagement with said ratchet member and having a biasing element for automatically locking said jaws in place in the event of failure of said source of hydraulic pressure; and hydraulically actuated means controlling said selective engagement joined to said pawl mechanism connected to and being Responsive to said source of hydraulic pressure ensuring said selective engagement after said jaws have exerted said gripping force and thereafter maintaining said selective engagement locking said jaws in place should there be a subsequent said failure of said source of hydraulic pressure, the hydraulically actuated controlling means is coupled hydraulically in-series with said hydraulically actuated actuator means when said jaws are being opened and hydraulically in-parallel when said jaws are being closed and while exerting said gripping force, upon the reactuation of said source of hydraulic pressure, the hydraulically actuated controlling means is responsive to selectively disengage said pawl mechanism to allow the responsive articulation of said jaws.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
263 words
A system for engaging and gripping an object comprising: a pair of jaws sized to grasp said object joined for relative pivotal motion each carrying a compressible pad member on its inner surface to ensure a secure said gripping of said object; a source of hydraulic pressure for enabling the manipulation of said jaws; actuator means being hydraulically actuated and carried on said jaws connected to and being responsive to the source of hydraulic pressure to impart bidirectional said pivotal motion and to exert a gripping force on said object; a ratchet member secured to one jaw; a pawl mechanism mounted on the other jaw and oriented for selective engagement with said ratchet member and having a biasing element for automatically locking said jaws in place in the event of failure of said source of hydraulic pressure; and hydraulically actuated means controlling said selective engagement joined to said pawl mechanism connected to and being Responsive to said source of hydraulic pressure ensuring said selective engagement after said jaws have exerted said gripping force and thereafter maintaining said selective engagement locking said jaws in place should there be a subsequent said failure of said source of hydraulic pressure, the hydraulically actuated controlling means is coupled hydraulically in-series with said hydraulically actuated actuator means when said jaws are being opened and hydraulically in-parallel when said jaws are being closed and while exerting said gripping force, upon the reactuation of said source of hydraulic pressure, the hydraulically actuated controlling means is responsive to selectively disengage said pawl mechanism to allow the responsive articulation of said jaws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said one jaw is fixed and provides support for said enabling means, said actuator means, said pawl mechanism, and said controlling means and said other jaw is pivotally mounted with respect to said one jaw.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 2 in which said pawl mechanism is configured with a plurality of teeth for engaging said ratchet member giving higher resolution to said locking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 3 in which a dummy rod is incorporated on the back side of said pawl actuator piston to control its operating characteristics in a deep ocean environment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1166382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |