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. 29, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 07, 2010
Jason Lavalley, Bemidji, MN (US);
Roger Lavalley, Bemidji, MN (US);
Marvin Larson, Bemidji, MN (US);
Lawrence D. Kilpo, Duluth, MN (US);
Michael Burgess, Duluth, MN (US);
Jason LaValley, Bemidji, MN (US);
Roger LaValley, Bemidji, MN (US);
Marvin Larson, Bemidji, MN (US);
Lawrence D. Kilpo, Duluth, MN (US);
Michael Burgess, Duluth, MN (US);
LaValley Industries, LLC, Bemidji, MN (US);
Abstract
A gripping assembly with gripping members, as part of a grapple attachment, used to grasp and manipulate elongated objects, for example pipe, is described. Due to the gripping action of the gripping members and tilt control capabilities of the grapple attachment, total positive control of the pipe is maintained, even if the gripping assembly picks up pipe off center. The gripping members are used at least in pairs and are mounted on a common main beam structure so that they are separated from each other. The gripping members are interchangeable with other gripping members to permit the grapple attachment to grasp different sized objects, thereby providing modularity to the grapple attachment. In one embodiment, the gripping members include a support member having a main beam structure opening extending laterally therethrough that is configured to receive a main beam structure of the gripping assembly.