초록 ▼

A gripper assembly includes a movable clamp member which is rotatable relative to a stationary clamp member from a fully open position to any one of a plurality of closed positions to grip an article of a selected size between clamp members. When a releasable clutch or retainer assembly is in an eng

A gripper assembly includes a movable clamp member which is rotatable relative to a stationary clamp member from a fully open position to any one of a plurality of closed positions to grip an article of a selected size between clamp members. When a releasable clutch or retainer assembly is in an engaged condition, the clutch prevents rotation of the movable clamp member from any one of the closed positions back to the fully open position. An actuator assembly is operable to release the clutch to enable the movable clamp member to rotate back to the fully open position. The clutch includes a coil spring having a plurality of turns which grip surfaces connected with the stationary and movable clamp members when the clutch is in the engaged condition. The actuator assembly operates the clutch from the engaged condition to the release condition by applying a force to the turns of the coil spring urging the turns to flex in a direction tending to increase the diameter of the coil spring.

대표청구항 ▼

A gripper assembly for clampingly gripping articles, said gripper assembly comprising a first clamp member, a first surface area connected with said first clamp member, a second clamp member rotatable relative to the first clamp member from a fully open position to any one of a plurality of closed p

A gripper assembly for clampingly gripping articles, said gripper assembly comprising a first clamp member, a first surface area connected with said first clamp member, a second clamp member rotatable relative to the first clamp member from a fully open position to any one of a plurality of closed positions to enable articles of different sizes to be gripped between said clamp members, a second surface area connected with said second clamp member, and releasable retainer means operable between an engaged condition preventing rotation of said second clamp member from any one of the plurality of closed positions to the fully open position and a release condition in which said second clamp member is rotatable from any one of the plurality of closed positions to the fully open position, said retainer means including a coil spring having a plurality of turns, said turns of said coil spring including inner side surface means for gripping said first and second surface areas when said retainer means is in the engaged condition to prevent rotation of said second clamp member toward the fully open position, said inner side surface means of said coil spring and one of said surface areas being rotatable relative to each other when said retainer means is in the release condition to enable said second clamp member to rotate toward the fully open position.