Robotic gripper mechanism
US6412844B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S294/907
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a robotic gripper mechanism having a thin, protrusion-free profile for maneuvering through tight areas, which mechanism includes a finger assembly mounted at the distal end of a gripper arm, which arm extends from a movable housing. The finger assembly is normally biased to a retracted position, but may be moved to an extended operative position by a drive member operating on a slide in the arm through suitable intermediary components. The invention also includes a mechanism for permitting retraction of the arm when an obstacle is encountered during vertical downward movement of the gripper mechanism so as to protect the arm and the finger assembly from damage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.