Self-actuating mechanical grapple for lifting and handling objects

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873835

Hovis, Gregory L ^[1]

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1. North Augusta, SC

A self-actuating mechanical grapple for lifting and handling an object includes a support housing with upper and lower portions and defining an internal recess. The lower portion of the housing includes a bottom opening which communicates with the recess. Preferably, two or three grapple jaws are provided, the first end portions of which are connected to the housing and the second end portions thereof remain free for engaging an object. The grapple jaws are pivotable between open and closed positions. An actuator member is slidably positioned in the recess for opening and closing the jaws, and includes a cam portion in operative engagement with the first end portions of the jaws in a manner to pivot the jaws when the actuator member moves axially relative to the housing. The actuator member includes a rotatable member with at least one contact member. A locking member or logic ring includes grooves defining open and closed positions of the jaws and is fixedly mounted to the internal surface of the housing and cooperates with the rotatable member. A plunger member is axially movable in the housing for contacting an object and includes at least one stud member for immovably engaging the contact member.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Department (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 6257636
• OSTI ID: 873835
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/294/
actuator
axially
axially movable
axially relative
bottom
closed
closed position
closed positions
closing
communicates
connected
contact
contacting
cooperates
defining
engagement
engaging
fixedly
fixedly mounted
free
grapple
grooves
handling
housing
immovably
internal
internal surface
jaws
lifting
locking
logic
manner
mechanical
mechanical grapple
mounted
movable
moves
moves axially
operative
pivot
pivotable
plunger
portion
portions
positioned
positions
preferably
provided
recess
relative
remain
rotatable
self-actuating
self-actuating mechanical
slidably
slidably positioned
stud
support
support housing
surface
upper