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US 5,701,769 AGranted
Grasping apparatus and method
OwnerJeffrey D. Hallinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A grasping apparatus and method wherein the apparatus includes a sleeve with a shaft therein and a clamping member on one or both ends of the sleeve for opening and closing. A locking member is positioned on the sleeve for locking the sleeve to the shaft. When unlocked, movement of the shaft within the sleeve or the sleeve along the shaft actuates movement of the clamping member.
Claims33
A grasping apparatus comprising:
- a sleeve having opposing ends;
- a shaft within and movable relative to the sleeve;
- a pair of clamping members for opening and closing on each opposing end of the sleeve, wherein one of the clamping members comprises a pair of clamping arms pivotally attached to the shaft, the other clamping member comprises a pair of opposing, flexible clamping arms each including a plurality of clamping sections, and a pulling member connected to the shaft and at least one of the clamping sections of each clamping arm;
- whereby slidable movement of the sleeve along the shaft in one direction opens both clamping members and slidable movement of the sleeve along the shaft in an opposite direction closes both clamping members.
1 more element
A grasping apparatus comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a shaft within and movable relative to the sleeve, the shaft having a plurality of teeth;
- a clamping member on one end of the sleeve for opening and closing, said clamping member comprising:
- a pair of opposing, flexible clamping arms, each clamping arm including a plurality of clamping sections pivotally and consecutively joined, each clamping arm terminating in a terminal clamping section;
- and
- a pulling member positioned within the clamping member, the pulling member being anchored in the terminal clamping section of each clamping arm and attached to the shaft whereby movement of the shaft toward the clamping member allows the clamping member to open, and movement of the shaft away from the clamping member causes the pulling member to pull the clamping member to close as the terminal clamping sections of each clamping arm are pulled closer together, whereby slidable movement between the sleeve and the shaft both opens and closes the clamping member;
- and
- a locking member on the sleeve for locking the sleeve to the shaft, the locking member comprising a plurality of rotatable locking elements, portions of said locking elements receivable in the plurality of teeth on said shaft, whereby the clamping member can be locked in an open, closed, or partially closed position.
5 more elements
The apparatus according to claim, 9 wherein the gripping surfaces substantially form a semi-circle when the clamping member is completely closed.
A grasping apparatus comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a shaft within and movable relative to the sleeve, said shaft having a plurality of notches;
- a clamping member pivotally attached to the sleeve for opening and closing, the clamping member comprising:
- a pair of pivotal clamping arms,
- an extension arm pivotally attached to a respective clamping arm, the extension arms pivotally attached to the shaft, whereby slidable movement between the sleeve and the shaft both opens and closes the clamping member;
- and
- a locking member on the sleeve, the locking member comprising a plurality of rotatable locking elements receivable in said notches in said shaft.
4 more elements
A grasping apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a sleeve;
- a shaft within and movable relative to the sleeve, said shaft having a notch, said shaft rotatably attached to said base at an end;
- a clamping member pivotally attached to the sleeve for opening and closing, the clamping member comprising:
- a pair of pivotal clamping arms,
- an extension arm pivotally attached to a respective clamping arm, the extension arms pivotally attached to the shaft at an opposite end, whereby slidable movement between the sleeve and the shaft opens and closes the clamping member;
- and
- a locking member on said sleeve, said locking member comprising a key-operated lock, a portion of said lock receivable in said notch in said shaft;
- wherein said shaft is substantially concealed by said base, said locking member, and said sleeve when the clamping member is in a closed position.
6 more elements
A grasping apparatus comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a shaft within and movable relative to the sleeve, said shaft having a notch;
- a clamping member pivotally attached to the sleeve for opening and closing, the clamping member comprising:
- a pair of pivotal clamping arms,
- an extension arm pivotally attached to a respective clamping arm, the extension arms pivotally attached to the shaft, whereby slidable movement between the sleeve and the shaft opens and closes the clamping member;
- and
- a base, said clamping member pivotally attached to said base.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.