US4621965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manipulators
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1984-02-06
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Granted: 1986-11-11
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Expires: 2004-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A manipulator arm consisting of a plurality of annuli joined together by lengths of tubing having circumferential corrugations, two longitudinal webs extending the length of the manipulator arm and diametrically spaced with respect to the annuli, the webs being adapted to be flexible in a first plane but stiff in a second plane at right angles to the second plane, and so positioned that the first planes of the webs are coincident thereby to render the manipulator arm flexible in the first plane but stiff in the second plane, and means for causing the manipulator arm to flex in the first plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter D. Wilcock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:53
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J18/00; B25J18/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A manipulator arm consisting of a plurality of annuli joined together by lengths of tubing having circumferential corrugations, two longitudinal webs extending the length of the manipulator arm and diametrically spaced with respect to the annuli, the webs being constructed to be flexible to bend in a first longitudinally extending plane but stiff against bending in a second longitudinally extending plane at right angles to the first plane and so positioned that the second planes of the webs are coincident thereby to render the manipulator arm flexible to bend in the first plane but stiff against bending the the second plane, and means for causing the manipulator arm to flex in the first plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A manipulator arm consisting of a plurality of annuli joined together by lengths of tubing having circumferential corrugations, two longitudinal webs extending the length of the manipulator arm and diametrically spaced with respect to the annuli, the webs being constructed to be flexible to bend in a first longitudinally extending plane but stiff against bending in a second longitudinally extending plane at right angles to the first plane and so positioned that the second planes of the webs are coincident thereby to render the manipulator arm flexible to bend in the first plane but stiff against bending the the second plane, and means for causing the manipulator arm to flex in the first plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A manipulator arm according to claim 1 wherein the means for causing the manipulator arm to flex in the first plane comprises at least one cable lying in the first plane and attached at one end to a winding drum and at the other to the annulus furthest from the winding drum and passing freely through holes in the intermediate annuli.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A manipulator arm according to claim 2 wherein there are provided two such cables and winding drums, the cables being diametrically opposite each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A manipulator arm according to claim 2 wherein there are provided a plurality of co-planar tensioning devices linking the annuli and positioned opposite the said cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A manipulator arm according to claim 1 wherein there are provided two sections of manipulator arm joined together by means of a rotatable joint and means for rotating one section of the manipulator arm relative to the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A manipulator arm according to claim 1 wherein the webs are hollow and at least one control cable passes therethrough to actuate a device at the free end of the manipulator arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A manipulator arm according to claim 5 wherein control cables pass through the webs to operate the rotatable joint, and to cause the second section of the manipulator arm to flex in its associated first plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2765930A
Cited
US3284964A
Cited
FR1500113A
Cited
FR2378612A1
Cited
US4393728A
Cited
US4494417A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-10 | 1990-05-12 | 1990-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-10 | 1994-05-12 | 1994-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-10 | 1998-05-12 | 1998-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |