| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 294192000 |
With actuating system (e.g., magnetic, piston, etc.)
| 132 |
| 294106000 |
Pivoted jaws
| 99 |
| 294990100 |
Resilient jaws
| 49 |
| 294088000 |
Magnet- or piston-controlled
| 27 |
| 294119100 |
Slideable jaws
| 22 |
| 294103100 |
Fixed and moveable jaw
| 20 |
| 294093000 |
Expanding
| 18 |
| 294860100 |
Well type
| 16 |
| 294870100 |
Multiple grapples for multiple objects
| 11 |
| 294092000 |
Rigid gripper
| 6 |
| 294090000 |
Collar-engaging
| 6 |
| 294102100 |
Socket and slip wedge
| 6 |
| 294119200 |
Band type | 4 |
| 20080238117 | Load ring for lifting by elevator, of casing having no upset - A cylindrical ring sized to slide over the box end of an oilfield tubular having a given diameter, has a shoulder at one its ends and a sidewall along its length. The sidewall has a circumferential groove about its interior surface housing a band which can be made tight against the exterior surface of the oilfield tubular by a latch accessible through a slot in the sidewall, and which becomes even tighter if the tubular attempts to escape from the band. In a first orientation, the cylindrical ring is used as a load ring. By turning the cylindrical rings upside down, the cylindrical ring is used as a thread protector for the pin end of the tubular. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090134646 | AUTOMATIC SYSTEM FOR GUIDING, RETAINING AND ADJUSTING CABLES - The fastenings of the wire ropes for loading containers are subjected to huge stresses, making it necessary to use screwed-in robust grips. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20130161966 | Load ring for lifting by elevator, of cassing having no upset - A cylindrical ring sized to slide over the box end of an oilfield tubular having a given diameter, has a shoulder at one its ends and a sidewall along its length. The sidewall has a circumferential groove about its interior surface housing a band which can be made tight against the exterior surface of the oilfield tubular by a latch accessible through a slot in the sidewall, and which becomes even tighter if the tubular attempts to escape from the band. In a first orientation, the cylindrical ring is used as a load ring. By turning the cylindrical rings upside down, the cylindrical ring is used as a thread protector for the pin end of the tubular. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20150115637 | SLIP - A slip for supporting a member, such as a pipe. The slip comprises one or more rolling elements, such as roller, for gripping the member. The rolling elements may contact each other. The slip may be formed from a plurality of pivotally connected segments. The rolling elements may be arranged to roll along ramps, arranged to urge the members into contact with a member to be gripped. | 04-30-2015 |
| 294089000 |
Lewises | 3 |
| 20100181790 | LIFTING TOOL FOR PREFABRICATED DWELLING MODULES - The invention relates to a lifting tool for prefabricated dwelling modules, specifically for industrialized modules having recesses ( | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100320787 | LIFTING DEVICE - A lifting device for lifting a workpiece provided with a scissor-type linkage having two arms and two rod-like gripping arms connected thereto in an articulated manner. The lifting device also includes a cross member having at least two axially adjacent elongated holes extending in the axial direction of the cross member. The two gripping arms are each guided through an associated elongated hole and are rotatable around an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to the through-direction of the associated elongated hole and it becomes. As a result, it becomes possible for the free ends of the gripping arms to tilt in an associated lifting opening of the workpiece, i.e., a cylinder head, when a workpiece is lifted. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20130020819 | LIFT STUB - A lift stub with an elongated shaft member that has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A lift eye element is spaced laterally by a lateral distance from the longitudinal axis, a first distance from the proximal end, and a second distance from the distal end. The lift eye element pivotally mounts a clevis member to the elongated shaft member for rotation about a clevis axis that extends generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft member. The clevis has a throat that is adapted to receiving a lifting hook therein. A foot portion extends from the distal end towards the proximal end for a third distance, which is approximately less than the second distance. A spur element projects generally laterally of the elongated shaft member adjacent the distal end and generally laterally opposed to the lift eye element. | 01-24-2013 |
| 294860410 |
Load shifting | 2 |
| 20110187139 | HANDLING SYSTEM FOR A CONTAINER FOR NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY - A handling system including a tool for lifting the container, wherein the lifting tool includes a lifting carrier to be suspended and a member for gripping the container comprising removable devices for fastening the container onto the gripping member. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20120153653 | GRAPPLE ATTACHMENT FOR USE WITH DRILL PIPES - A grapple attachment for use with a drill pipe having a diameter, that may include first and second gripping members disposed on a rigid lateral member tiltable up to 40 degrees from the horizontal and preferably continuously rotatable, wherein each of the first and second gripping members has a first and second claw and a bracket having a concave contact surface, each claw having a concave gripping surface, wherein the surface of the bracket and the gripping surfaces of the first and second claws come in contact with the drill pipe when the gripping member is in the closed position. | 06-21-2012 |
| 294119300 |
Inflatable | 2 |
| 20090200816 | PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR - The invention relates to a pneumatic actuator ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20190143538 | END OF ARM TOOLS FOR SOFT ROBOTIC SYSTEMS | 05-16-2019 |
| 294101000 |
Pivoted cam and hook | 1 |
| 20100066110 | CLAMPING DEVICE - The invention relates to a hoist clamp device for clamping an object, preferably plate material, to a clamping portion, comprising a frame, a first clamping part, movably connected to the frame and provided with a first gripping surface, a second clamping part, coupled to the frame, provided with a second gripping surface, and arranged with respect to the first clamping part so as to clamp the clamping portion of the object between the second gripping surface and the first gripping surface, in which the first clamping part is movable with respect to the second clamping part in order to clamp the clamping portion of the object by moving the first clamping part from a free position into a clamping position, and in which the second clamping part is furthermore provided with a gripping part, provided with the second gripping surface, which gripping part is designed to allow a displacement with respect to the frame as long as a clamping force of the first clamping part on the second clamping part is below a minimum value. | 03-18-2010 |
| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20090039664 | WORKPIECE GRIPPING INTEGRITY SENSOR - The present invention involves a workpiece gripping integrity device or method comprising a charge-transfer sensing device, configured to detect a change in charge associated with the gripper arm assembly based on a grip condition thereof. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090066100 | APPARATUS AND METHOD ASSOCIATED WITH CABLE ROBOT SYSTEM - An apparatus associated with a cable robot system is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: an end-effector platform adapted to be positioned and maneuvered within a three-dimensional (3D) workspace, three vertical support members adapted to be positioned outside the 3D workspace, and three adjustable cables adapted to be routed from each vertical support member and releasably secured to the end-effector platform to apply upward and downward tension to the end-effector platform. The adjustable cables are adapted to be adjustably extended and retracted in a coordinated fashion to maneuver the end-effector platform such that an adjustable portion of each adjustable cable spans from the corresponding vertical support member to the end-effector platform. At least two of the adjustable portions associated with each vertical support member are generally in parallel relation to each other. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20100045058 | CONTAINER TRANSFER APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC POSITIONING COMPENSATION - It is described an apparatus for transferring a specimen container ( | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100052346 | Pulling Grips for Installing a Fiber Optic Assembly - Pulling grips for installing a fiber optic assembly are disclosed. The pulling grip includes a pulling grip housing for receiving part of a fiber optic assembly therein. The pulling grip may also include a pulling grip sleeve and/or pulling sock. In one embodiment, the pulling grip housing has a friction fit with the pulling grip sleeve when assembled, thereby inhibiting rotation therebetween. Consequently, the friction fit advantageously inhibits twisting of the fiber optic assembly when installing the same using the pulling grip. In this manner, the pulling grip housing can easily be insert into the pulling grip sleeve and removed when pulling of a fiber optic assembly is completed. The pulling grip housing, pulling grip sleeve, and/or pulling sock may also be reused for pulling other fiber optic assemblies. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100096868 | GRIPPER MECHANISM WITH TWO DRIVESHAFTS PER GRIPPING FINGER - The invention relates to a gripper mechanism for machines, robots and manipulation devices, comprising at least one moving gripping finger, operated by coupling to an operating mechanism by two drive shafts. As a result of operating the gripping finger by two connecting bars, in turn each driven by the drive shafts, it is possible to move the gripping finger through a rotation over 180° through the path or range thereof and hence securely transmit forces and torques without tipping or getting in an unstable position. According to the invention, the drive shafts are divided axially into at least two parts in order to be housed completely in an enclosed and unitary gripper housing, protected from dust and dirt and hermetically sealed. The different parts of the drive shafts are centered on one another and positively connected by means of axial toothing, in the form of pinion gears and pins, and have a carrier support bearing. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100096869 | ENDEFFECTORS FOR HANDLING SEMICONDUCTOR WAFERS - Various endeffector designs are disclosed for handling semiconductor wafers. For instance, an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively low temperature is disclosed along with an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively high temperature. Both endeffectors include uniquely designed support members that are configured to only contact a wafer at the wafer's edge. The endeffectors may also include a wafer detection system. The endeffector for handling wafers at relatively low temperatures may also include a pushing device that is used not only to position a wafer but to hold a wafer on the endeffector during acceleration or deceleration of the endeffector caused by a robot arm attached to the endeffector. As designed, the endeffectors may have a very slim profile making the endeffectors easily maneuverable. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100109360 | GRIPPING DEVICE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - In a gripping device, a displacement-type force sensor is provided on a side of a driving mechanism opposite fingers to which the driving mechanism is connected to form a grip section. The driving mechanism is supported on a housing with an elastic member being disposed therebetween at a position closer to the fingers than the center of gravity of the grip section. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100140969 | RECONFIGURABLE END-EFFECTORS WITH ARTICULATING FRAME AND INDEXABLE MASTER BOOM - The end-effector includes an articulating frame mounted on an indexable boom. Tool modules mount on the end-effector and connect to a workpiece. Each tool module includes a flexible dress package including a cable carrier. A channel rail is supported by the end-effector frame and guides the cable carrier. A setup tool and associated process can reconfigure the positions of the tool modules and the frame and boom of the end-effector. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100207411 | MEMS-BASED MICRO AND NANO GRIPPERS WITH TWO-AXIS FORCE SENSORS - The present invention relates to a design and microfabrication method for microgrippers that are capable of grasping micro and nano objects of a large range of sizes and two-axis force sensing capabilities. Gripping motion is produced by one or more electrothermal actuators. Integrated force sensors along x and y directions enable the measurement of gripping forces as well as the forces applied at the end of microgripper arms along the normal direction, both with a resolution down to nanoNewton. The microfabrication method enables monolithic integration of the actuators and the force sensors. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100301622 | Gripping Member For A Work Tool - A gripping member for a work tool is provided such that in one embodiment, the gripping (or cutting) member includes a top and bottom surface, and a first gripping edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a overbite block located proximate to the first gripping edge. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301623 | PICK UP SUB - A pick up sub includes a male body with a lifting attachment at a first end and an integrally formed male member with external threads at a second end. The male member is received in mating relation within an interior bore of a female body. At least one nut engages external threads at an extremity of the male member to secure the male body to the female body. The nut fits within a second portion of the interior bore, but is too large to fit within a first portion of the interior bore. A hand wheel is secured to the female body to deliver a jarring impact of a hammer against an anvil when the threaded pin connection is engaged with a box connection of a tubular component, thereby eliminating the need for a wrench or tongs. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110042985 | EXTRACTING APPARATUS FOR STORAGE DEVICE MODULE - An extracting apparatus is disclosed. The extracting apparatus includes a mounting member, a handle pivotably connected to the mounting member, a latch member fixed to the mounting member and comprising a latch portion locked to the handle, and a release member slidably mounted to the mounting member and comprising an engaging portion for engaging with the latch member to deform the latch portion of the latch member, thereby releasing the latch portion from the handle. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110049921 | ROBOT HAND FOR SUBSTRATE TRANSFER - There is provided a robot hand for substrate transfer in which the robot hand is so arranged that, even in case a substrate (S) gives rise to warping, the substrate (S) can be stably supported. On an upper surface of the robot hand there is formed a first seating surface on which is seated a lower-surface peripheral portion of the substrate (S) and, on a periphery thereof, there is formed an upwardly extended step. The step is provided with a plurality of stair-shaped stages. On an upper surface of the robot hand inwardly away from the first seating surface there is provided a second seating surface which is inclined downward toward the center of the substrate (S) such that a lower surface of the substrate (S) is seated on the second seating surface when the substrate (S) is warped downward into a concave shape. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110068593 | ROBOTIC FINGER AND ROBOTIC HAND - A robotic finger comprises a base joint connected to a base member. By way of the base joint, a main finger member is connected to the base member for pivoting movements of the main finger member in two planes. The base joint comprises two driven main bevel gears opposite one another, and two likewise opposing intermediate bevel gears disposed between the main bevel gears. The main bevel gears are mounted rotatably at the base member and can be driven independently of one another through electric motors and an intermediate toothed belt. The two intermediate bevel gears are each rotatably mounted at support members connected to the main finger member. To protect the base joint, a curved cover bracket is provided. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110074171 | OBJECT GRASPING CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS - An object grasping control method, in which an object grasping control apparatus grasps a plurality of graspable members using a grasping unit, includes recognizing at least one of a shape, position, and attitude of each of the plurality of graspable members, setting, based on at least of one of the shape, position, and attitude of each of the plurality of graspable members, an attitude range as a graspable attitude range in which each of the plurality of graspable members and the grasping unit do not interfere with each other for each of the plurality of graspable members, and setting, as a grasping target to be grasped by the grasping unit, a graspable member, among the plurality of graspable members, the set graspable attitude range of which is greater than a predetermined threshold value. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110089708 | MECHANICAL GRIPPERS UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTIVATION - A mechanical gripper adapted for grasping a plurality of differing objects, and comprising a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger includes at least one variable impedance member comprising an active material element, the element, when activated and deactivated, undergoes a reversible change in impedance, and the change in impedance enables the gripper to be advantageously reconfigured, and/or locked in a reconfigured state. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110109108 | Hand held material carrying tool - A one piece material carrying tool ( | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110121591 | SHEAR FORCE DETECTION DEVICE, TACTILE SENSOR AND GRASPING APPARATUS - A shear force detection device for detecting a shear force includes: a support body including an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a detection direction of the shear force and parallel to each other; a support film on the support body and closing the opening, the support film having flexibility; a piezoelectric part on the support film and extending astride an inside and outside of the opening and along at least one of the pair of straight parts of the opening when viewed in a plane in which the support body is seen in a substrate thickness direction, the piezoelectric part being bendable to output an electric signal; and an elastic layer covering the piezoelectric part and the support film. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110148129 | DISMOUNTING JIG - A dismounting jig adapted for removing a metal shield which is coupled with a lens module and has two projections at two opposite sides thereof. The dismounting jig has a main body and two clutching arms. Each of the clutching arms has a fixing plate and a holding portion connected with the fixing plate. A lower portion of the holding portion has a buckling slice protruded inward. Two opposite sides of the holding portion extend perpendicularly to form a pair of opposite stabilizing wings locating at a same side as the buckling slice with respect to the holding portion. The clutching arms are symmetrically mounted on the main body by the fixing plates thereof fixed on two opposite sides of the main body. A receiving space is formed among the two pairs of the stabilizing wings and the holding portions. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110148130 | Method and Apparatus for Weighing a Stent - An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110193363 | STRESS SENSING DEVICE, TACTILE SENSOR, AND GRASPING APPARATUS - A stress sensing device senses a shear force and a pressing force. The stress sensing device includes a support body, a support film, first and second piezoelectric parts and an elastic layer. The support body has an opening defined by a pair of straight parts perpendicular to a sensing direction of the shear force and parallel to each other. The support film having flexibility closes off the opening. The first piezoelectric part is disposed over the support film and straddling an inside portion and an outside portion of the opening along at least one of the straight parts of the opening as seen in plan view. The second piezoelectric part is disposed to the inside portion of the opening and set apart from the first piezoelectric part as seen in the plan view. The elastic layer covers the first piezoelectric part, the second piezoelectric part, and the support film. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110254301 | AERODYNAMICALLY CONTROLLED GRAPPLE ASSEMBLY - An aerodynamically controlled grapple assembly includes a frame member secured to an associated load line and a streamlined body mounted to the frame member. The streamlined body includes a main lifting surface extending away from the body in a first direction and a vertical stabilizer extending away from the body in a second direction. A pair of grapple arms are movably connected to the frame member. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20120007374 | GRIPPING APPARATUS, ROBOT SYSTEM AND GRIPPING METHOD - In a conventional technology, it has been difficult to precisely position a gripping object when gripping the gripping object. Therefore, in the present invention, a multifingered hand includes a palm and a plurality of fingers having joints, to grip a tool with the palm and the plurality of fingers. The palm has a palm side contact surface brought into contact with a gripping object side contact surface of the tool. The palm side contact surface is provided with holes into which projections provided on the gripping object side contact surface are inserted. Moreover, when the projections are inserted into the holes, the tool is positioned in a tangential direction of the palm side contact surface, and the tool is also positioned in a rotational direction around a normal line of the palm side contact surface which is a rotary shaft center. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120139276 | ADJUSTABLE GRILL/GRIDDLE TONGS - There is provided a pair of tongs for grasping items, particularly food from a grill or griddle. Prongs are sized and space to fit between gaps in the cooking surface to slide under the food. The spacing may be adjustable to size the tongs for different sizes of grill/griddle spacing. For example, mounting ends of the prongs are coupled for rotation within an end of an arm. Gears between the prongs permit the turning of one prong when the other is rotated. The rotation adjusts the relative spacing between parallel elongate portions of the tongs. The spacing adjustment allows the prongs to fit grills with different size spacing. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120153652 | ROBOT AND ROBOT HAND - A recess has a proximal-end-side surface and a distal-end-side surface. When an intersection between a straight line included in the proximal-end-side surface and a straight line included in the distal-end-side surface is a base point, a line passing through the base point is a base line, a line between two claw portions, passing through an end point of the recess and orthogonal to the base line is an orthogonal line, the angle α made between the base line, and the straight line included in the distal-end-side surface is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, the angle β made between the orthogonal line, and the straight line included in the proximal-end-side surface is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the length d from the base point to the orthogonal line is greater than 0. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120169079 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A SUBSTRATE - A grip mechanism for an end effector includes a grip member configured to be coupled to an effector body. A gripper of the grip member is movable based on movement of the grip member such that the gripper is movable along an engagement path to an engagement position where an object such as a substrate can be retained within a retaining region adjacent to the effector body. End effectors for handling objects incorporating one or more grip mechanisms, and methods of handling an object such as a substrate, are also disclosed. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120261931 | Length Adjustable Remote Manipulation Device - A length adjustable remote manipulation device includes a body member including a first body with an empty space formed inside and a second body installed movably along the first body while inserted inside the first body such that the length thereof is adjustable, an manipulation member installed at an end of the first body and including a handle with a movable member supported elastically by spring, a motion-copying member installed at an end of the second body and including pincers, and a first cable for having the pincers operated according to movement of the movable member by connecting the movable member and the pincers. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20130033050 | GRASPING APPARATUS HAVING BAG MEMBERS FILLED BY A GRANULAR SUBSTANCE - The grasping apparatus includes a grasping portion for grasping a workpiece. This grasping portion has i) pawl portions having squeezing portions that squeeze the workpiece, and ii) contact portions, each of which has an inner bag made of elastic material, and a granular substance that is filled in the inner bag. The contact portions are attached to portions of the squeezing portions that contact the workpiece, and harden the granular substance while keeping it in an appropriate shape by increasing a volume ratio of the granular substance to an inner volume of the inner bags. Retaining portions that have concavo-convex shapes are formed on the attaching surfaces that are portions of the squeezing portions that the contact portions attach to. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130043697 | MANTLE LIFTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LIFTING A MANTLE - Mantle lifting device ( | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130241222 | TAKE OUT JAWS WITH SEATED COMPONENTRY - In an embodiment of the invention, a tong assembly for handling glass articles such as bottles, jars, and the like during the manufacture of same, utilizes replaceable matched pairs of components that vertically seat and are captured on features on the pair of tongs. The components may be in an interlocking, gravity restrained engagement and that may be replaced by lifting the components out of their interlocking engagement, removing them and replacing same by lowering the replacement components into the interlocking engagement whereby the replacement components are then captured and constrained by pairs of engagement surfaces. Lowering may be by lowering the entirety of the insert or lowering a portion such as the component is rotated into seating engagement. The components may be inserts held in place with the resiliency of spring clips that are themselves retained on the inserts also by the spring clips resiliency. Matched pairs of components are movable toward and away from one another as the tongs are closed and opened for grasping and releasing the upper portions of glass articles such as bottles and jars. The matched pair of components may be inserts for engaging the upper portion of the glass articles, the inserts captured within interlocking portions of takeout jaws. The matched pair of components may be protective covers. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130270848 | MULTI-FUNCTION TRASH PICKING DEVICE - A multi-function trash picking device includes a foldable rod, a detachable head portion and a handle. The foldable rod includes two elongate rod arms which are connected through a pivot. The two rod arms are folded and unfolded through the pivot. One rod arm has one end connected to the head portion, and the other rod arm has one end connected to the handle. The handle includes a trigger thereon. The head portion includes a clamp and a metallic slide member adapted to open or close the clamp. Two sides of the clamp are respectively provided with two plastic rings adapted to fasten a trash bag. The multi-function trash picking device of the present invention can pick up the excrement of pets or trash easily. The user can hold the pet while picking up the excrement or trash, so that the pet won't be lost | 10-17-2013 |
| 20140167430 | HANDLING EQUIPMENT FOR VIALS AND SYSTEM FOR THE PREPARATION OF MEDICATIONS COMPRISING IT - Equipment for the handling of vials which comprises: a base on which at least part of the vials being handled is located and transverse supporting means for the vials in which the transverse supporting means apply a force in a substantially transverse plane to the necks of the vials, which comprise supplementary supporting means for the vials; these supplementary supporting means applying a second force in a plane that is substantially inclined with respect to the plane in which the transverse supporting means apply the first force. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140312638 | SPREADER AND USE THEREOF - A spreader assembly comprising a spreader having container engagement devices for engaging and disengaging a container; a lid engagement device mounted to the spreader, said lid engagement device having an actuator for positioning a lid engagement frame proximate to a lid of said container, said frame arranged to engage said lid so as to permit the actuator to move said lid relative to the container. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140346793 | Adjustable Compression, Adjustable Tension Rod Indicator, and Adjustable Extension Rod - A biasing device that returns to a rest position when the biasing device is subjected to one of a first compression by a first object and a first tension by a second object in which the first tension causes a second compression of a third object, in which the first compression causes a second tension of the third object, in which elongation of the rod assembly simultaneously occurs with the first tension and the second compression, and in which elongation of the rod assembly simultaneously occurs with the second tension and the first compression. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150298322 | OPTICALLY-ACTUATED MECHANICAL DEVICES - According to embodiments, an optically-actuated mechanical device comprises at least one deformable section formed of: an element including an intrinsic stress differential or gradient, the stress tending to urge deformation of one portion relative to another portion; and an optically-sensitive material which is configured to (i) initially prevent deformation of the device, and (ii) upon sufficient heating by absorbing optical energy allows the element to deform. The devices may be incorporated into various devices and apparatuses for select, non-contact actuation using only optical energy, for example, via light, from one or more lasers. Methods for fabricating and actuating such devices are also disclosed. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150375404 | GRIPPING DEVICE - A gripping device is equipped with an abutment member that is annexed on a region of a gripping portion that abuts on a work. The abutment member is equipped with an inner bag that is made of a material having elasticity, a particulate matter with which the inner bag is filled, and an outer bag that covers the inner bag. The particulate matter is hardened while being deformed into a shape matching a contour of the work by increasing a ratio of a volume of the particulate matter to an inner volume of the inner bag with the work gripped by the gripping portion. A reverse face of the outer bag and a surface of the inner bag have a light-emitting portion therebetween. Thus, a rupture created in the outer bag can be detected, and the breakage of the inner bag can be obviated. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20220134579 | Soft Gripper Apparatus - A soft gripper apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a soft gripper includes tribo-skin pressure sensors, an internal bending sensor, at least one flexible gripping finger and an actuator. A further aspect of a soft gripper apparatus employs longitudinally elongated, laterally spaced apart and self-powering, electrically conductive strips that sense and send a bending signal to a programmable controller indicative of a bending angle of a gripping finger within which the strips are encapsulated. Another aspect of a gripping apparatus includes at least one workpiece pressure sensor and/or at least one bending sensor, which are connected to a programmable controller and electrical circuit to automatically determine a characteristic of the workpiece. | 05-05-2022 |
