Jaw engagement assist system
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsSteven W. Wentworth, Mark D. Randa, Robert F. Crane, James B. Doyle, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for gripping and pulling a wire strand. The apparatus is carried by a cylinder assembly attached to a frame. The cylinders provide force to pull the strand. Jaws are situated in a jaw block, and are tapered such that movement of the jaw block by the cylinders will tend to force the jaws closer to one another within a tapered cavity. Movable, spring-loaded J-rods are provided to retain the jaws within the jaw block when desired. The J-rods can be rotated to a position which does not retain the jaws when the wire strand is being added to, or removed from, the apparatus.
Claims17
A gripping assembly, comprising:
- a tapered jaw having at least one tapered surface;
- a block having a tapered cavity, wherein the tapered cavity comprises at least one tapered surface complementary to the tapered surface of the tapered jaw;
- a retainer having a J-shape comprising:
- a first section defining a long end of the J-shape disposed within the block;
- and
- a second section, offset from the first section and defining a short end of the J-shape, wherein the second section is defined by a first position and a second position, wherein:
- the retainer contacts the tapered jaw when in the first position;
- and
- the retainer does not contact the tapered jaw when in the second position;
- and
- a coil spring disposed around the first section of the retainer;
- wherein the tapered jaw is situated within the tapered cavity.
A gripping assembly, comprising:
- a jaw block defining a tapered cavity, wherein the tapered cavity defines first and second opposed tapered surfaces;
- a subassembly, comprising:
- a plate, slidingly receivable in the jaw block, the plate defining first and second slots;
- a first tapered jaw secured to the plate by a first pin, wherein the first pin is disposed through the first slot, the first tapered jaw defining a first crush face and a first tapered jaw surface;
- and
- a second tapered jaw secured to the plate by a second pin, wherein the second pin is disposed through the second slot, the second tapered jaw defining a second crush face and a second tapered jaw surface;
- wherein the first tapered jaw and the second tapered jaw are situated within the tapered cavity such that:
- the first crush surface and the second crush surface are opposed;
- the first tapered jaw surface is adjacent and complementary to the first opposed tapered surface of the tapered cavity;
- and
- the second tapered jaw surface is adjacent and complementary to the second opposed tapered surface of the tapered cavity;
- a first retainer disposed through the jaw block and having a first position and a second position, wherein the first retainer contacts the first jaw and biases the first tapered jaw surface towards the first tapered surface of the tapered cavity when the first retainer is in the first position;
- and
- a second retainer disposed through the jaw block and having a first position and a second position, wherein the second retainer contacts the second jaw and biases the second tapered jaw surface towards the second tapered surface of the tapered cavity when the second retainer is in the first position;
- wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are characterized by a J-shape, wherein each of the first retainer and the second retainer comprise a long first section disposed within the block and a short second section, wherein the short second section of each retainer contacts its respective jaw when in the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.