Magnetic gripper device

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868690

Meyer, Ross E ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A climbing apparatus is provided for climbing ferromagnetic surfaces, such as storage tanks and steel frame structures. A magnet assembly is rotatably mounted in a frame assembly. The frame assembly provides a pair of cam surfaces having different dimensions so that, when the frame is rotated, the cam surfaces contact the ferromagnetic surface to separate the magnet assembly from the surface. The different cam dimensions enable one side of the magnet at a time to be detached from the surface to reduce the effort needed to disengage the climbing apparatus. The cam surface also provides for smoothly attaching the apparatus. A hardened dowel pin is also attached to the frame and the pointed end of the dowel engages the surface when the magnet is attached to the surface to prevent downward sliding movement of the assembly under the weight of the user.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5192155
• OSTI ID: 868690
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

magnetic
gripper
device
climbing
apparatus
provided
ferromagnetic
surfaces
storage
tanks
steel
frame
structures
magnet
assembly
rotatably
mounted
provides
pair
dimensions
rotated
contact
surface
separate
enable
time
detached
reduce
effort
disengage
smoothly
attaching
hardened
dowel
attached
engages
prevent
downward
sliding
movement
weight
user
storage tanks
rotatably mounted
assembly provides
storage tank
ferromagnetic surface
magnet assembly
steel frame
frame assembly
/403/36/52/248/