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US 4,815,782 AGranted
Grappling device
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsPreston S. Craig, Jeffrey A. Fisher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A grappling device comprises an arm formed from a closed ended, inflatable tube (5) having a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally spaced bands (15) disposed therearound for limiting the radial distention of the arm when inflated. A longitudinally inelastic, laterally flexible band (20) disposed on a surface of the arm causes the arm, when inflated, to wrap around an object to be gripped. The extent of the inflation of the arm determines the gripping force and geometry of the device.
Claims8
A grappling device characterized by:
- an inflatable arm, said inflatable arm being longitudinally elongatable when inflated;
- first means disposed on a surface of said inflatable arm for both limiting the straight, longitudinal elongation of said arm and for causing said arm to wrap around an object to be gripped when said arm is inflated beyond a predetermined amount
- second means for limiting the radial distension of said arm, thereby enhancing the longitudinal elongation of said arm as said arm is inflated, and
- third means for selecting one of a number of directions of wrap of said arm as said arm is inflated.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.