Mechanical grapple for manipulating objects

A method of manipulating an object comprising;

• mounting a grapple device to a transport mechanism, wherein the grapple device further comprises (i) a supporting bracket assembly (ii) a first roller, having a roller axis, the roller rotatably mounted on the supporting bracket assembly, and the first roller being rotatable about its axis, wherein the first roller further comprises a gripping surface for engaging a graspable portion of the object, (iii) a second roller, having a roller axis, and the second roller being rotatable about its axis, wherein the second roller further comprises a gripping surface for engaging the graspable portion of the object, (iv) a left pivoting bracket assembly and a right pivoting bracket assembly connected to the supporting bracket assembly, having a axis of rotation and rotatably holding the second roller, (v) a biasing means to bias the rollers toward each other with sufficient force to facilitate holding the graspable portion of the object in place between the rollers, (vi) a first gear rigidly connected to the axis of the first roller, (vii) a second gear rigidly connected to the, axis of the second roller, (viii) a third gear, rotatably mounted on the supporting bracket assembly, wherein the third gear mates with the first gear, (ix) a fourth gear, rotatably mounted on the supporting bracket assembly, wherein the fourth gear mates with both the second and third gears and has the same axis of rotation as the left and right pivoting bracket assemblies, and (x) a driving means for rotating the third gear;
• positioning the grapple device close to the object;
• activating the grapple device, wherein the driving means rotates the third gear in a first direction, such that the first roller and the second roller rotate in opposite directions, and when the roller surface of the first roller contacts the object, a graspable portion of the object is drawn between the first and the second rollers, thereby grasping the object;
• stopping the rotation of the rollers automatically when a sufficient portion of the object is grabbed between the rollers, thereby holding the object;
• maneuvering the grapple device and object, via the transport mechanism, to the desired location;
• and
• releasing the object from the grapple device by a release mechanism, wherein the driving means rotates the third gear in a second direction, the first roller and the second roller turn outwardly in opposing rotations.