Grapple impactor
AssigneeAction Machinery Company of Alabama, Inc.
InventorHalbert I. Hickman, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved robotic power grapple having the capability to both manipulate and impact objects. The grapple has a head assembly containing pivotal jaws and an impact hammer disposed within a rotation device to allow the head assembly and jaws to rotate about a central axis. An impact rod extends through the rotation device and through an opening in the tips of the jaws to permit impaction of objects proximate the opening. In combination with an articulated boom and orientation device, the improved grapple may be utilized in severe-duty foundry operations to remove gates and risers from foundry castings.
Claims41
In combination with a base and an articulated boom having one end attached to said base and a free end, an apparatus for grappling, manipulating, and impacting objects, comprising:
- a) a grapple having a central axis;
- b) orientation means interposed between said grapple and said free end for orienting said axis relative to said boom;
- c) an impact hammer disposed within said grapple for impacting objects along said axis proximate and external of said grapple;
- and
- d) grapple actuation means for actuating said grapple for selective movement to an open position and a closed position relative to said axis.
An apparatus for grappling, manipulating, and impacting objects, comprising:
- a) a base;
- b) an articulated boom having one end attached to said base, said boom including a shock control means for regulating shock compression resulting from recoil force of said impact hammer during impacting of said objects;
- c) a grapple having a central axis;
- d) orientation means interposed between said grapple and said boom distal said base for orienting said axis relative to said boom;
- e) an impact hammer disposed within said grapple for impacting objects along said axis proximate and external of said grapple;
- and
- f) grapple actuation means for actuating said grapple for selective movement to an open position and a closed position relative to said axis.
An apparatus for grappling, manipulating, and impacting objects, comprising:
- a) a base;
- b) an articulated boom having one end attached to said base, said boom including a first elongated arm having a base end and an opposite end, said base end pivotally mounted to said base, a second elongated arm having a lower end and an upper end, a boom pivot means pivotally connecting said opposite end of said first arm to said lower end of said second arm, a shock control means for regulating shock compression resulting from recoil force of said impact hammer during impacting of said objects, and linear actuation means for controlling arm movement;
- c) a grapple having a central axis;
- d) orientation means interposed between said grapple and said boom distal said base for orienting said axis relative to said boom;
- e) an impact hammer disposed within said grapple for impacting objects along said axis proximate and external of said grapple;
- and
- f) grapple actuation means for actuating said grapple for selective movement to an open position and a closed position relative to said axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.