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:
Oct. 02, 2012
Filed:
Nov. 12, 2008
Chris A. Ihrke, Hartland, MI (US);
Douglas Martin Linn, White Lake, MI (US);
Lyndon Bridgwater, Houston, TX (US);
Chris A. Ihrke, Hartland, MI (US);
Douglas Martin Linn, White Lake, MI (US);
Lyndon Bridgwater, Houston, TX (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A bidirectional tendon terminator that has particular application for terminating a tendon that actuates a finger in a robotic arm. The tendon terminator includes a cylindrical member having an internal channel through which a single continuous piece of the tendon extends. The internal channel of the tendon terminator includes a widened portion. A ball is placed in the tendon strands, which causes the tendon to expand, and the ball is positioned within the widened portion of the channel. Pulling on the tendon operates to either open or close the finger of the robotic arm depending on which direction the tendon is pulled. In one specific embodiment, the cylinder includes two cylindrical pieces that are coupled together so that the ball can be positioned within the channel and the cylindrical member has an entire circumference of material.