Long travel gripper
AssigneePHD, Inc.
InventorsLyle Null, Matthew Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A long travel gripper is provided which has first and second end caps, first, second and third guide rails, first and second jaws, and first and second piston assemblies. The first, second and third guide rails extend between the first and second end caps. The first and second jaws, each receive, and move rectilinearly along, the first, second and third guide rails. The first and second piston assemblies each include first and second piston rods and pistons, respectively.
Claims21
A long travel gripper comprising:
- first and second end caps;
- first, second and third guide rails extend between the first and second end caps;
- wherein the first, second and third guide rails are positioned at parallelly spaced and at acute angles to each other;
- first and second jaws, each receiving the first, second and third guide rails;
- wherein the first and second jaws move rectilinearly along the first, second and third guide rails;
- a first piston assembly comprising:
- a first piston rod located between the first, second and third guide rails;
- wherein at least a portion of the first piston rod is disposed in a portion of the first jaw;
- and
- a first piston coupled to the first piston rod and located in a cavity in the first jaw;
- wherein the first piston assists moving the first jaw;
- and
- a second piston assembly comprising:
- a second piston rod located between the first, second and third guide rails;
- wherein at least a portion of the second piston rod is disposed in a portion of the second jaw;
- and
- a second piston coupled to the second piston rod and located in a cavity in the second jaw;
- and
- wherein the second piston assists moving the second jaw.
A method of manufacturing a long travel gripper, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second end caps and at least one guide rail longitudinally extending between the first and second end caps;
- and
- forming first and second jaws by extruding the jaws;
- wherein at least one cavity is formed in each jaw by extruding the same.
A method of manufacturing a long travel gripper, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second end caps, a plurality of guide rails longitudinally extending between the first and second end caps, and first and second jaws;
- extruding a base member;
- wherein at least one fluid passage is longitudinally formed in the base member during extruding the base member;
- and
- locating the base member between the first and second end caps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.