Collapsible remote mechanical grasper for handling explosive devices

A remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:

• a first rod having a first end, a second end, and an interior channel extending therethrough;
• a second rod having a first end, a second end, an interior channel extending there through;
• a joint assembly comprising:
• a first joint fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first joint fitting connected to said second end of said first rod;
• a joint rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said joint rod is connected to said second end of said first joint fitting;
• a second joint fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second joint fitting connected to said second end of said joint rod and said second end of said second joint fitting connected to said first end of said second rod;
• and
• an interior channel extending through said joint assembly, said interior channel of said joint assembly is in communication with said interior channel of said first rod and said interior channel of said second rod;
• a claw assembly pivotably connected to said second end of said second rod;
• a cable assembly mounted substantially adjacent to said first end of said first rod, said cable assembly comprising:
• a claw control lever;
• and
• an actuation cable extending through said interior cavity of each of said first rod, said joint assembly, and said second rod, said actuation cable is mechanically connected to said claw control lever and said claw assembly such that actuation of said claw control lever causes the actuation of said claw assembly;
• and
• a slidable locking sleeve assembly positioned around said first rod, said second rod, and said joint assembly.

A method for deploying a remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:

• providing said remote mechanical grasping apparatus, said remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:
• a first rod having a first end and a second end;
• a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod being substantially parallel to said first rod;
• a joint assembly connected to said second end of said first rod and to said first end of said second rod;
• a claw assembly pivotably connected to said second end of said second rod;
• a cable assembly mounted substantially adjacent to said first end of said first rod, said cable assembly comprising:
• a claw control lever;
• and
• an actuation cable, said actuation cable is mechanically connected to said claw control lever and said claw assembly such that actuation of said claw control lever causes the actuation of said claw assembly;
• and
• a slidable locking sleeve slidably coupled to said first rod, said slidable locking sleeve comprising:
• a locking sleeve having a threaded first end;
• and
• a compression clamp having a threaded interior that is adapted to engage with said threaded first end of said locking sleeve, said compression clamp being positioned between said locking sleeve and said first end of said first rod;
• pivoting said second rod until said second rod is substantially coaxial with said first rod;
• sliding said locking sleeve over said joint assembly and said second rod such that said locking sleeve is positioned around said first rod, said joint assembly, and said second rod;
• and
• engaging said compression clamp with said locking sleeve thereby locking said first rod to said second rod.