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US 11,707,819 B2Granted
Selectively flexible extension tool
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorAndrew Crispin Graham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool assembly includes a first selectively flexible tool including a first plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position; and a second selectively flexible tool including a second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable over or through the first plurality of sequentially arranged links.
Claims19
A tool assembly comprising:
- a first selectively flexible tool comprising a first plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position;
- and
- a second selectively flexible tool comprising a second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable over or through the first plurality of sequentially arranged links,
- wherein the second plurality of sequentially arranged links define a second overall length that is greater than a first overall length of the first plurality of sequentially arranged links in the tensioned position.
1 more element
A tool assembly comprising:
- a first selectively flexible tool comprising a first plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position;
- and
- a second selectively flexible tool comprising a second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable over or through the first plurality of sequentially arranged links,
- wherein the first plurality of sequentially arranged links of the first selectively flexible tool are spaced from one another when in the slacked position to allow the first plurality of sequentially arranged links to pivotably move relative to one another, and wherein the first plurality of sequentially arranged links are pressed against one another when in the tensioned position to rigidly fix the first plurality of sequentially arranged links to one another.
1 more element
A tool assembly comprising:
- a first selectively flexible tool comprising a first plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position;
- and
- a second selectively flexible tool comprising a second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the second plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable over or through the first plurality of sequentially arranged links,
- wherein the second plurality of sequentially arranged links of the second selectively flexible tool comprises a plurality of joint members and a plurality of link members, wherein each joint member is positioned between adjacent link members,
- wherein each of the plurality of joint members extends between a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end and the second end of each joint member defines a convex surface,
- wherein each of the plurality of joint members defines a substantially spherical shape, and wherein each of the plurality of link members defines a substantially cylindrical shape.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.