Manipulator

Abstract

Abstract A manipulator (10) for grasping an article (54) comprises an elongate arm (12) having a forward portion (13) and a grasping means (20) on the arm (12), typically on the exterior of the arm (12). The grasping means (20) comprises an inner wall section (32) and an outer wall section (34) each comprised of flexible material with an annular region therebetween. The wall sections (32 and 34) form at least a portion of a continuous, closed, double-wall structure. The inner (32) and outer (34) wall sections are capable of relative axial movement. The grasping means (20) is capable of being axially revolved on the extension of the arm (12) so that a portion of the grasping means (20) extends beyond the forward portion (13) of the arm (12) for grasping an article (54). Preferably the grasping means (20) is permanently attached (40) to the arm (12) so that when the grasping means (20) is revolved on the forward portion (13) of the arm (12) and grasps an article (54), it cannot be revolved off of the arm (12).

Inventors

• 👤 Arthur Bernard Clemons
• 👤 Neil Lawrence Holt
• 👤 Peter Lars Larsson

Bibliographic Details