System, method, and apparatus for clamping

US10655779B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DEKA Products Limited Parternship · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey M. Janway · Hooksett, US
• Larry B. Gray · Merrimack, US
• Matthew R. Gill · Cambridge, US
• Richard J. Lanigan · Concord, US
• Thomas A. Friedrich · Loudon, US
• Stephen L. Fichera · Salem, US
• John M. Kerwin · Manchester, US
• Erik N. Sabin · Manchester, US
• Dean Kamen · Bedford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 12, 2017
• Grant date: May 19, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 21, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T403/1624
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A clamp apparatus is disclosed that includes a body, first and second actuators, first, second, third and fourth gear sets, first and second movable grippers, and at least one leaf spring. The first gear set is coupled to the first actuator and the second gear set is coupled to the second actuator. The first gear set engages the second gear set. The first and second movable grippers are each operatively coupled to the body. The third gear set is coupled to the first movable gripper and the fourth gear set is coupled to the second movable gripper. The third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set. The leaf spring engages with the third gear set and the fourth gear set to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.