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US 9,810,364 B2Granted
Gripping apparatus and devices for plugging of pipes, orifices or connecting
AssigneeUSA Industries, Inc.
InventorsTracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gripping apparatus for use in gripping a pipe, for holding forces, or restraining relative movement. The pipe defines an inside radius. The gripping apparatus has an outer surface where the outer surface defines a transition surface or a curve. In certain embodiments the transition surface or curve has a radius less than or equal to the inside radius of the pipe.
Claims22
A gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, comprising:
- a plurality of discrete gripping devices mounted in a body;
- wherein the body comprises a wedge cone;
- a first plate proximate a lower end of the wedge cone;
- a second plate proximate the higher end of the wedge cone;
- an outer surface on each the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
- wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point;
- a plurality of discrete self-actuation-self-retraction mechanisms connected to the first plate and one each individually connected to each of the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
- and
- a collective discrete gripping device extension-retractable mechanism connected to the second plate.
6 more elements
A gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, comprising:
- a plurality of discrete gripping devices mounted in a body;
- wherein the body comprises a wedge cone;
- a first plate proximate a lower end of the wedge cone;
- a second plate proximate the higher end of the wedge cone;
- an outer surface on each the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
- wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point;
- a plurality of discrete self-actuation-self-retraction mechanisms connected to the first plate and one each individually connected to each of the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
- a friction reducing device mounted respectively between the wedge cone and each of the plurality of discrete gripping devices;
- and
- a collective discrete gripping device extension-retractable mechanism connected to the second plate.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.