The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 21, 1987
Filed:
Oct. 23, 1985
Michael E Winiasz, Lorain, OH (US);
Harris Graphics Corporation, Melbourne, FL (US);
Abstract
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.