Mechanical grasping end effector with horizontal and vertical movement
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorJohn Modzel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical device for grasping an object without a power source includes a receiver and at least one grabber assembly secured to the receiver. The grabber assembly includes first and second arms with proximal end portions and distal end portions, hooks disposed at the distal end portions, and a mechanical linkage disposed near the proximal end portion of the first arm and the second arm. The mechanical linkage kinematically couples the first arm to the second arm. Displacement of the first arm or the second arm against the object causes movement of the mechanical linkage and thus movement of the second arm or first arm, respectively.
Claims20
A mechanical device for grasping an object without a power source, the mechanical device comprising:
- a receiver;
- and
- at least one grabber assembly secured to the receiver, the at least one grabber assembly comprising:
- a first arm comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a hook disposed at the distal end portion;
- a second arm comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a hook disposed at the distal end portion;
- and
- a mechanical linkage disposed near the proximal end portion of the first arm and the second arm, the mechanical linkage kinematically coupling the first arm to the second arm,
- wherein displacement of the first arm or the second arm against the object causes movement of the mechanical linkage, and the movement of the mechanical linkage causes movement of the second arm or first arm, respectively.
A mechanical device for grasping an object without a power source, the mechanical device comprising:
- a receiver;
- and
- opposed grabber assemblies secured to outboard portions of the receiver, each grabber assembly comprising:
- a first arm comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a hook disposed at the distal end portion;
- a second arm comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a hook disposed at the distal end portion;
- and
- a mechanical linkage disposed near the proximal end portion of the first arm and the second arm, the mechanical linkage kinematically coupling the first arm and the second arm,
- wherein displacement of the first arm or the second arm against the object causes movement of the mechanical linkage, and the movement of the mechanical linkage causes movement of the second arm or first arm, respectively.
A method of grasping an object without a power source, the method comprising:
- moving a mechanical device, the mechanical device comprising:
- a first arm comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a hook disposed at the distal end portion;
- a second arm comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a hook disposed at the distal end portion;
- and
- a mechanical linkage disposed near the proximal end portion of the first arm and the second arm, the mechanical linkage kinematically coupling the first arm and the second arm,
- wherein moving the mechanical device comprises engaging the first arm or the second arm against the object, wherein the object displaces the arm being engaged with the object, which causes movement of the mechanical linkage and the other arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.