US3881761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic mechanical tongs with open and closed stable positions
Assignee: Groupement Atomique Alsacienne Atlantique SA
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Mechanical automatic bistable tongs with a view to the manipulation of cylindrical objects with a very elongated shape, such as tubes, pipes, rods, etc., permitting the pickup of these pieces at a very specific place and the depositing of these pieces at a predetermined place, with precision. The tongs include means for opening and closing the jaws, activated by jacks. The action of the jacks moves a slide which causes a system of connecting rods to move from one stable position to another stable position, bringing about the opening or closing of the tongs respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Meyer
- 👤 Roger Gerard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:22
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/04; B23Q7/043; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J15/02; B25J15/0206; G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/02; G21C19/10; G21C19/105; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An assembly for locking mechanical tongs at open and closed stable position, said assembly comprising: a framework; a pair of clamping jaws mounted for pivoting between open and closed positions above a fixed axis within said framework; a pair of connecting rods operatively coupled to said jaws and to an intermediate rod, and forming with said intermediate rod, a first knuckle joint slidable with respect to said framework; a spring jack rotatable about a second fixed axis within said framework; a sliding rod connected operatively on one side to said spring jack and on the other side to said intermediate rod forming with said intermediate rod, a second knuckle joint; a slide operatively coupled to said second knuckle joint and transversally movable within said framework between stops on either side of a straight line defined by said first fixed axis and said second fixed axis; and ball detent means carried by said slide for engaging said framework at positions defined by said stops to lock said slide with said second knuckle joint maintaining said jaws respectively in open and closed stable positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An assembly for locking mechanical tongs at open and closed stable position, said assembly comprising: a framework; a pair of clamping jaws mounted for pivoting between open and closed positions above a fixed axis within said framework; a pair of connecting rods operatively coupled to said jaws and to an intermediate rod, and forming with said intermediate rod, a first knuckle joint slidable with respect to said framework; a spring jack rotatable about a second fixed axis within said framework; a sliding rod connected operatively on one side to said spring jack and on the other side to said intermediate rod forming with said intermediate rod, a second knuckle joint; a slide operatively coupled to said second knuckle joint and transversally movable within said framework between stops on either side of a straight line defined by said first fixed axis and said second fixed axis; and ball detent means carried by said slide for engaging said framework at positions defined by said stops to lock said slide with said second knuckle joint maintaining said jaws respectively in open and closed stable positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said framework comprises a cylindrical piece including at each end a ball receiving recess, said slide comprises a cylindrical member concentrically positioned within said cylindrical piece and bearing at each end a ball receiving recess, said ball detent means comprising further at each end of said cylindrical member of the slide, spring biased pistons having an internal portion of the same diameter as their housing and an external portion with a smaller diameter leaving a leeway in its housing; whereby, said slide tending to remain in a fixed position with respect to the framework when the larger portion of the pistons is facing said drillings of the slide and tends to be free to slide when the piston is pushed by an external force compressing said spring and when the smaller portion of the piston is facing said recess of the slide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2677981A
Cited
US3245346A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |