US 11,674,545 B2
Suction discs for adhesion to rough, delicate, and wet surfaces
Michael T. Tolley, La Jolla, CA (US); Jessica Sandoval, San Diego, CA (US); and Dimitri Deheyn, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA (US)
Assigned to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Oakland, CA (US)
Filed by THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Oakland, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/489,578.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/084,974, filed on Sep. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0145928 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. F16B 47/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16B 47/00 (2013.01) [B25J 15/0683 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A suction device, comprising:
a suction chamber having a radially symmetrical shape centered on a central axis, the suction chamber formed from a first elastomer and having a skirt portion with a skirt diameter; and
a disc margin comprising a flattened ring more flexible than the suction chamber, the flattened ring adhered to a lower surface of the skirt portion, the disc margin formed from a second elastomer and having a disc diameter that extends beyond the skirt diameter, wherein the second elastomer is a compliant material having a lower hardness and lower tensile strength than the first elastomer, the disc margin further comprising a plurality of radially-extending pads, each pad having a plurality of elastomeric texture features formed in a pad contact surface.