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

Abstract

An end effector for use with robotic arms and like devices 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.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [4]
  1. Maryville, TN
  2. Knoxville, TN
  3. Oak Ridge, TN
  4. Powell, TN
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
869285
Patent Number(s):
5310233
Assignee:
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B25 - HAND TOOLS B25J - MANIPULATORS
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
robotic; gripper; band; engage; effector; arms; devices; utilizes; flexible; draw; anvil; concave; surface; typical; convex; created; v-block; apex; centrally; located; grasped; fragile; contour; closely; matches; typically; movement; effected; linear; actuator; remaining; fixed; relative; support; base; embodiments; described; utilize; variations; drawing; detail; form; fabricated; unit; embodiment; cover; element; moved; grasping; potentially; serving; various; functions; closely matches; robotic arm; centrally located; linear actuator; concave surface; support base; robotic arms; convex surface; flexible band; closely match; /294/901/

Citation Formats

Pollard, Roy E, Robinson, Samuel C, Thompson, William F, Couture, Scott A, and Sutton, Bill J. Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Pollard, Roy E, Robinson, Samuel C, Thompson, William F, Couture, Scott A, & Sutton, Bill J. Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object. United States.
Pollard, Roy E, Robinson, Samuel C, Thompson, William F, Couture, Scott A, and Sutton, Bill J. Sat . "Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/869285.
@article{osti_869285,
title = {Robotic end gripper with a band member to engage object},
author = {Pollard, Roy E and Robinson, Samuel C and Thompson, William F and Couture, Scott A and Sutton, Bill J},
abstractNote = {An end effector for use with robotic arms and like devices 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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}