Method and device for manipulating an object

A gripping device configured to grasp an object, the gripping device comprising:

• a housing comprising:
• a substantially round and flexible container;
• and
• a point of attachment on a first outer portion of the housing being in a first plane that is substantially perpendicular to a line extending from the point of attachment toward a center of the housing;
• a jamming material inside the housing;
• a first actuator to actuate the jamming material;
• a first pressure activation device disposed on the first outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing;
• a second actuator to actuate the first pressure activation device;
• a second pressure activation device disposed on a second outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the second outer portion of the housing;
• and
• a third actuator to actuate the second pressure activation device;
• wherein, after the gripping device is pressed against the object, the second actuator actuates the first pressure activation device to exert the constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing and the first actuator actuates the jamming material to grasp the object, and the second outer portion of the housing is in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to a line extending from the point of attachment toward the center of the housing.

An end effector configured to grasp an object, the end effector comprising:

• a housing comprising:
• a substantially round and flexible container;
• and
• a point of attachment on an outer portion of the housing being in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a line extending from the point of attachment toward the center of the housing;
• a jamming material inside the housing;
• a first actuator to actuate the jamming material;
• a pressure activation device disposed on the outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing, the pressure activation device comprising at least one of a Mckibben actuator, a jamming belt, an inflatable biased belt, or a jamming belt and an inflatable toroidal housing;
• and
• a second actuator to actuate the pressure activation device;
• wherein, after the end effector is pressed against the object, the second actuator actuates the first pressure activation device to exert an inward force on the outer portion of the housing and the first actuator actuates the jamming material to grasp the object.

An end effector configured to grasp an object, the end effector comprising:

• a housing comprising:
• a substantially round and flexible container;
• and
• a point of attachment on a first outer portion of the housing being in a first plane that is substantially perpendicular to a line extending from the point of attachment toward a center of the housing;
• a jamming material inside the housing;
• a first actuator to actuate the jamming material;
• a first pressure activation device disposed on the first outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing;
• and
• a second actuator to actuate the first pressure activation device,
• a second pressure activation device disposed on a second outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the second outer portion of the housing;
• and
• a third actuator to actuate the second pressure activation device;
• wherein, after the end effector is pressed against the object, the second actuator actuates the first pressure activation device to exert the constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing and the first actuator actuates the jamming material to grasp the object, and the second outer portion of the housing is disposed is in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to a line extending from the point of attachment toward the center of the housing.

A method of using a gripping device to grasp an object, the method comprising:

• directing the gripping device toward the object, the gripping device comprising:
• a housing comprising:
• a substantially round and flexible container;
• and
• a point of attachment on an outer portion of the housing being in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a line extending from the point of attachment toward a center of the housing;
• a jamming material inside the housing;
• a first actuator to actuate the jamming material;
• at least one pressure activation device disposed on the outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the outer portion of the housing, the at least one pressure activation device comprising at least one of a Mckibben actuator, a jamming belt, an inflatable biased belt, or a jamming belt and an inflatable toroidal housing;
• and
• a second actuator to actuate the pressure activation device;
• pressing the gripping device onto the object;
• and
• activating the jamming material in the housing by:
• activating the at least one pressure activation device to exert the constricting force on the outer portion of the housing using the second actuator;
• and
• actuating the jamming material using the first actuator.