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:
Mar. 28, 1989
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1986
Applicant:
Inventors:
Preston S Craig, Huntsville, AL (US);
Jeffrey A Fisher, Huntsville, AL (US);
Assignee:
United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J / ; B66C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
2941193 ; 294 632 ; 294 981 ;
Abstract
A grappling device comprises an arm formed from a closed ended, inflatable tube (5) having a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally spaced bands (15) disposed therearound for limiting the radial distention of the arm when inflated. A longitudinally inelastic, laterally flexible band (20) disposed on a surface of the arm causes the arm, when inflated, to wrap around an object to be gripped. The extent of the inflation of the arm determines the gripping force and geometry of the device.