DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object

Abstract

An end effector for use with robotic arms and like devices is described that utilizes a flexible band to draw an object against an anvil having a concave surface. One typical convex surface is created by a V-block, with an apex of the V being centrally located. If an object to be grasped is fragile, the contour of the concave surface closely matches the surface of the object. Typically the movement of the band is effected by a linear actuator, with the anvil remaining fixed relative to a support base. Several embodiments are described that utilize variations in drawing the band toward the anvil, with one of these embodiments described in detail in the form of a fabricated unit. One embodiment includes a cover element that can be moved over an object after the grasping thereof, with this cover potentially serving various functions. Movement of the cover can be effected with a second linear actuator. 8 figures.

Inventors:
; ; ; ;
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
7036280
Patent Number(s):
5310233
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-872152
Assignee:
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 22 Apr 1992
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; MANIPULATORS; DESIGN; ACTUATORS; COVERINGS; OPERATION; REMOTE HANDLING; EQUIPMENT; LABORATORY EQUIPMENT; MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT; REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT; 420203* - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures

Citation Formats

Pollard, R E, Robinson, S C, Thompson, W F, Couture, S A, and Sutton, B J. Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Pollard, R E, Robinson, S C, Thompson, W F, Couture, S A, & Sutton, B J. Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object. United States.
Pollard, R E, Robinson, S C, Thompson, W F, Couture, S A, and Sutton, B J. Tue . "Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object". United States.
@article{osti_7036280,
title = {Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object},
author = {Pollard, R E and Robinson, S C and Thompson, W F and Couture, S A and Sutton, B J},
abstractNote = {An end effector for use with robotic arms and like devices is described that utilizes a flexible band to draw an object against an anvil having a concave surface. One typical convex surface is created by a V-block, with an apex of the V being centrally located. If an object to be grasped is fragile, the contour of the concave surface closely matches the surface of the object. Typically the movement of the band is effected by a linear actuator, with the anvil remaining fixed relative to a support base. Several embodiments are described that utilize variations in drawing the band toward the anvil, with one of these embodiments described in detail in the form of a fabricated unit. One embodiment includes a cover element that can be moved over an object after the grasping thereof, with this cover potentially serving various functions. Movement of the cover can be effected with a second linear actuator. 8 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {5}
}

Patent:
Search for the full text at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Note: You will be redirected to the USPTO site, which may require a pop-up blocker to be deactivated to view the patent. If so, you will need to manually turn off your browser's pop-up blocker, typically found within the browser settings. (See DOE Patents FAQs for more information.)

Save / Share: