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US 11,827,469 B1Granted
Methods and apparatus for gripping large objects
OwnerGerald Gieseke, Sr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for securely gripping objects or panels having cross sections, including heavy objects such as granite slabs to be used as counter tops, or lighter objects such as doors or windows, in order to facilitate lifting, moving, transporting, installing and/or storage thereof. A pair of jaws are provided between a rotatable turnbuckle and ratchet assembly which opens or closes the jaws around an object. The ratchet may be used to impart fine rotation to the turnbuckle in one direction to apply pressure to the jaws to firmly engage an object. Reversing the ratchet and rotating the turnbuckle in an opposite direction allows the object to be released. A handle on the ratchet facilitates lifting and moving the object gripped between the jaws.
Claims20
An apparatus for temporarily gripping objects comprising:
- a. a pair of jaw members provided in a parallel orientation to each other defining a gap therebetween;
- b. a threaded rod having a knob attached at an end thereof, a gear at a center thereof, and a ratchet engaged with said gear for rotating said rod in one of a first or a second opposite direction, wherein threads between said gear and one end of the rod are angled in a first direction, and wherein threads between the gear and an opposite end of the rod are angled in a second opposite direction;
- c. a threaded bore in a first of said jaw members for rotatably receiving one end of said threaded rod, and an oppositely threaded bore in a second of said jaw members for rotatably receiving the opposite end of said threaded rod;
- and
- d. a handle attached to said ratchet for imparting reciprocating movement thereto,
- wherein rotation of said rod in said first direction causes said jaw members to move towards each other and rotation of said rod in said opposite second direction causes said jaw members to move away from each other.
3 more elements
A method for temporarily gripping an object comprising the steps of:
- a. rotating a knob attached to an end of a threaded rod in a first direction, such that oppositely threaded ends of said rod engaged with oppositely threaded openings in a pair of parallel jaw members rotate within said openings causing said jaw members to move apart;
- b. placing an object to be gripped between said jaws;
- c. setting a ratchet located at a center of said threaded rod to allow said rod to rotate in an opposite direction;
- d. rotating said knob to rotate said rod in an opposite direction to cause said jaws to move together and close against said object;
- e. operating said ratchet to impart further rotation of said threaded rod to tightly grip said object between said jaws;
- and
- f. lifting said object using a handle attached to said ratchet.
4 more elements
An apparatus for temporarily gripping objects comprising:
- a. a pair of jaw members provided in a parallel orientation to each other defining a gap therebetween;
- b. a threaded rod having a center, wherein threads between the center of the rod and one end of the rod are angled in a first direction, and wherein threads between the center of the rod and an opposite end of the rod are angled in a second opposite direction;
- c. a ratchet located at the center of the rod for rotating the rod in one of a first or a second opposite direction;
- d. a threaded bore in a first of said jaw members for rotatably receiving one end of said threaded rod, and an oppositely threaded bore in a second of said jaw members for rotatably receiving the opposite end of said threaded rod;
- e. a handle attached to said ratchet for imparting reciprocating movement thereto;
- and
- f. at least one guide rod provided between said jaw members, wherein each jaw member includes at least one opening therein for slidably receiving an end of one of said at least one guide rods,
- wherein rotation of said rod in said first direction causes said jaw members to move towards each other and rotation of said rod in said opposite second direction causes said jaw members to move away from each other.
5 more elements
An apparatus for temporarily gripping objects comprising:
- a. a pair of jaw members provided in a parallel orientation to each other defining a gap therebetween;
- b. a threaded rod having a center and a knob attached at an end thereof, wherein threads between the center of the rod and one end of the rod are angled in a first direction, and wherein threads between the center of the rod and an opposite end of the rod are angled in a second opposite direction;
- c. a ratchet located at the center of the rod for rotating the rod in one of a first or a second opposite direction;
- d. a threaded bore in a first of said jaw members for rotatably receiving one end of said threaded rod, and an oppositely threaded bore in a second of said jaw members for rotatably receiving the opposite end of said threaded rod;
- and
- e. a handle attached to said ratchet for imparting reciprocating movement thereto,
- wherein rotation of said rod in said first direction causes said jaw members to move towards each other and rotation of said rod in said opposite second direction causes said jaw members to move away from each other.
4 more elements
An apparatus for temporarily gripping objects comprising:
- a. a pair of jaw members provided in a parallel orientation to each other defining a gap therebetween;
- b. a threaded rod having a center, wherein threads between the center of the rod and one end of the rod are angled in a first direction, and wherein threads between the center of the rod and an opposite end of the rod are angled in a second opposite direction;
- c. a ratchet located at the center of the rod for rotating the rod in one of a first or a second opposite direction;
- d. a threaded bore in a first of said jaw members for rotatably receiving one end of said threaded rod, and an oppositely threaded bore in a second of said jaw members for rotatably receiving the opposite end of said threaded rod;
- e. a handle attached to said ratchet for imparting reciprocating movement thereto;
- and
- f. a gear on said threaded rod having teeth thereon that extend radially outward from the gear wherein said ratchet is engaged with said teeth such that engagement of a first pawl in said ratchet with said teeth allows said rod to be rotated in only said first direction, and engagement of a second pawl in said ratchet with said teeth allows said rod to be rotated in only said second opposite direction, wherein rotation of said rod in said first direction causes said jaw members to move towards each other and rotation of said rod in said opposite second direction causes said jaw members to move away from each other.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.