US3601442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gripping device
Assignee: Goodrich Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-26
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A gripping device having a plurality of closed end ''''fingers'''' of elastic tubing extending from a common pressure manifold, each finger having a portion of the transverse wall section provided with longitudinal cords of tension resistant material embedded therein along only one side of the tubing. In the relaxed state, the fingers are substantially linear, but upon introduction of a pressurized fluid therein, the fingers curl toward a common central region for gripping. Upon release of the pressurized fluid, the elastomeric fingers of the device return to substantially a linear state releasing the grip.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy L Orndorff Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:07
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J15/00; B25J15/08; B25J15/12; B25J15/0023; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/44; B66C1/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A gripping device comprising in combination: with said manifold a. a rigid pressure manifold having a hollow chamber therein with an inlet port communicating therewith adapted to receive fluid therethrough under pressure, said manifold further having a plurality of spaced transfer ports communicating with said chamber; and b. a plurality of actuator members each comprising a hollow tube of elastically extensible material having one end closed and the other end connected to one of said transfer ports on said manifold, with each of said members having a longitudinal region extending transversely less than one-half the transverse periphery thereof provided with at least one layer of longitudinally extending reinforcing cords of substantially inextensible material and each of said members further including at least one layer of circumferentially extending reinforcing cords of substantially inextensible material embedded in the said elastically extensible material, whereby introduction of fluid pressure into said manifold causes each of said actuator members to curl elastically about an axis substantially at right angles to its length and toward a common central region to thereby provide a gripping action.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A gripping device comprising in combination: with said manifold a. a rigid pressure manifold having a hollow chamber therein with an inlet port communicating therewith adapted to receive fluid therethrough under pressure, said manifold further having a plurality of spaced transfer ports communicating with said chamber; and b. a plurality of actuator members each comprising a hollow tube of elastically extensible material having one end closed and the other end connected to one of said transfer ports on said manifold, with each of said members having a longitudinal region extending transversely less than one-half the transverse periphery thereof provided with at least one layer of longitudinally extending reinforcing cords of substantially inextensible material and each of said members further including at least one layer of circumferentially extending reinforcing cords of substantially inextensible material embedded in the said elastically extensible material, whereby introduction of fluid pressure into said manifold causes each of said actuator members to curl elastically about an axis substantially at right angles to its length and toward a common central region to thereby provide a gripping action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gripping device defined in claim 1, wherein each of said actuator members has a substantially longitudinally uniform cross section in the unpressurized state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein a. each of said tubes comprises an inner impervious layer of elastomeric material; and, b. said layer of circumferentially extending cords comprises a sheet of substantially weftless elastomer covered cord fabric with the warp of said fabric extending circumferentially of the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as defined in claim 3 further comprising at least one layer of woven fabric disposed in each tube adjacent the end thereof connected to one of said ports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device defined in claim 1, wherein each of said actuator members includes three pairs of radially superposed layers of said circumferential cords radially inward of said longitudinal cords, with a layer of woven fabric disposed radially intermediate each pair of circumferential cords for a longitudinal distance of substantially two diameters of said actuator at the end thereof attached to said transfer ports and a pair of radially superposed layers of said circumferential cords disposed radially outward of said longitudinal cords.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said layers of circumferential cords each comprises a sheet of substantially weftless elastomer covered cord fabric with the warp of said fabric extending circumferentially of the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said longitudinally extending cords are metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3343864A
Cited
US3481254A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |